OSHA Inspection: TIMKEN CO.

Issued

Oct 10, 2000

Abate by

Nov 12, 2000

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

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:
On and prior to May 3, 2000, employees were exposed to serious injuries
from straddle buggies
traveling without being equipped with the needed mirrors to eliminate
blind spots for the
operators.
On May 3, 2000 an employee was struck by the #26 Clark straddle buggy in
bay 4 of the
Finishing Unit.  The #26 straddle buggy was not properly equipped with the
needed outside and
convex mirrors to eliminate its blind spots.  Also, as of May 3, 2000 none
of the Clark straddle
buggies were said to be properly equipped.
Among other methods, the following are feasible and acceptable methods to
minimize
the
probability of injury during the movement of straddle buggies:
1.  Install additional mirrors on straddle trucks to eliminate blind spots.
2.  Survey and assess vehicle and pedestrian traffic to eliminate their
interaction as much as
possible.
3.  Add audible forward and reverse warning alarms to the straddle buggies.
4.  Add pedestrian walkways as needed in order to effectively separate
vehicles from
pedestrians.
5.  Train all effected employees on the requirements set forth in the
procedures and related
safety precautions, including the importance of properly positioning one's
self in relation to the
straddle buggy vehicles.
6.  Monitor the condition and need for maintenance or adjustment of the
mirrors and alarms.
6.  Enforce employee use of the procedures.