OSHA Inspection: ROUND ROCK REFUSE, INC.

Issued

Dec 11, 2000

Abate by

Dec 18, 2000

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

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 employees
were exposed to:
a) The hazard of being struck by a mobile Garbage collection and
compacting vehicle in
that on or about November 15, 2000, and in times prior to thereto,
employees rode on the rear
steps of a McNeilus XC Rear Loader while it was operated in reverse on
Tomcat Dr & Chat Ln
in Round Rock Tx resulting in the death of an employee.  The employer did
not ensure that new
employees were adequately trained prior to the use and operation of the
McNeilus XC Rear
Loader, and that when modifications to the rear loader were made,
operating instructions
establishing guidelines for the use, and care of the unit being modified
were
developed in
accordance with the American National Standard Z245-1992. The employer did
not ensure the
following was met: a) employees were not provided instruction and training
in the safe methods
of work by the employer including procedures by the manufacturer prior to
route assignment.
The employer did not ensure that new employees were properly trained not
to stand on the rear
side steps when the vehicle was operated in reverse and the employer did
not enforce its policy
that prohibited the use of the rear side steps while the vehicle was
operated in reverse. b)  The
employer did not develop guidelines including precautionary notices
associated with modification
to the rear side steps on the McNeilus XC Rear Loader.
Among other feasible and useful methods of abatement for this hazard one
method of abatement
would be to familiarize employees in the manufacturers operating manuals
and the employer
safety and program prior to assigning employees to a route assignment.
Route observations could
have been conducted to ensure that employees were not riding the steps
when the McNeilus XC
Rear Loader was backing up and the employers safety policy could have been
enforced to
prevent employees from standing on the rear sides steps when the vehicle
was operated in
reverse. Employees could have been trained on the precautionary measures
to be taken when
riding the modified side steps which placed them further towards the back
of the McNeilus XC
Rear Loader and limited their stability while the vehicle was in motion.

Issued

Dec 11, 2000

Abate by

Dec 18, 2000

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Dec 11, 2000

Abate by

Dec 14, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced