OSHA Inspection: GSI - GEO-SYNTHETICS INC.

Issued

Sep 12, 2000

Abate by

Sep 29, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $735 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish
employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized
hazards that were
causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in
that:
(a)Employees were exposed to hazards created by the use of a Honda Foreman
ES
4 x 4 All Terrain Vehicle which was not used in accordance with the
acceptable
requirements of its Operator's Manual.  For example:
Page 5 of the Operator's Manual states, "Never exceed the stated load
limits for
an ATV".
Page 9 illustrates the warning labels on the ATV that state, "Never exceed
the
maximum rear cargo limit (combined weight on the rear rack and in the
storage
area) of: 133 pounds."  "Tow weight limit: 850 pounds."
Page 50 states, "Do not allow cargo to extend beyond the edges of either
the
front or rear racks".  "HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD, Never exceed the
stated load limits for this ATV."
Page 80 states, "You may also regain traction unexpectedly, which may
cause the
ATV to overturn."  "HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD, Learn to safely control
skidding by practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth terrain."
Page 83 states, "Never open the throttle suddenly or make sudden gear
changes.
The ATV could flip over backward."
The aforementioned excerpts from the Operator's Manual were violated on
08/15/00 at the Garrett Landfill in New Berlin, WI.  This occurred when a
Honda
Foreman ES 4 x 4 pulled an 844 pound roll of geo-textile up a slight grade
while
attaching the roll to the ATV with three metal pipes and harnesses tied
together.
The largest of the pipes was 3 inches in diameter, and over 17 feet long
(wider
than the ATV).  According to witness accounts, an employee flipped the ATV
over backwards after opening up the throttle suddenly.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means to correct these
hazards is
to assure that employees follow the instructions listed in the Operator's
Manual
for the Honda Foreman ES 4 x 4 ATV.
Certification, with date and method of abatement required.
Certification of abatement is required by 29 CFR Part 1903 and is to be
submitted within ten (10)
calendar days after the abatement date.ment

Issued

Sep 12, 2000

Abate by

Sep 30, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $735 Reduced