OSHA Inspection: HARDEE'S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE INC

Issued

May 12, 2000

Abate by

May 30, 2000

Penalty

Initial $525

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of North Carolina:  The employer did not furnish
each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of
employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely
to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed to a falling hazard to a lower level from a
moving vehicle:
The employer did not address the warnings provided in the Ford
Motor Company Customer Information "Warning - Passengers
should be allowed to ride only in a seat with proper occupant
restraint system. Persons who are not riding in a seat or are
not properly restrained are much more likely to suffer bodily
injury in the event of a collision." and "Warning - Failure to
observe the above recommendations could affect the durability,
ride quality, and safe handling of the vehicle and could
result in a vehicle accident and personal injuries." by
providing or enforcing a safety rule or policy, prohibiting
employees from riding in the rear or cargo area of moving
pickup trucks, or prohibiting them from riding in any pickup
without a fastened safety belt or proper safety restraint
device when employees were loading, unloading, and
transporting furniture (ref. 1988 Ford, F-150 Series, Owner
Guide, Consumer Information: Truck Camper Loading - WARNING;
and Owner Guide, Occupant Restraint Systems, WARNING, page
48):
a)site - 17 year old employee driving 1988, Ford, F-150
Series pickup truck, 5-10 mph, from furniture showroom to
warehouse loading dock, while another 17 year old was
riding on the tailgate of the pickup.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among
others, to correct this hazard is to enforce a Written
Safety Rule or Policy, explaining that employees are not
allowed to ride in the rear or cargo areas of pickup
trucks, provide more adequate supervision of high school
youths while working in warehouse and transporting
furniture back and forth from warehouse to showroom, and
to ensure that youths are in compliance with the Youth
Employment Act.