OSHA Inspection: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC.

Issued

Feb 19, 2002

Abate by

Feb 22, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,250 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
employees were exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 6 feet while
being lifted by a
forklift while standing on an unsecured, improper work platform. Among
other methods, two
acceptable means of abatement to correct this hazard is as follows:
1. With the approval of forklift manufacturer, the purchase of a proper
safety work platform
meeting the specifications of American National Institute Standard (ANSI)
B56.1-1993 or
update to be used as stipulated in paragraph 4.17, Elevating Personnel.
2. With the approval of the forklift manufacturer, the in-house
fabrication ( certified by a
professional engineer) of a proper safety work platform meeting the
specifications of
American National Institute (ANSI) B56.1-1993 or update to be used as
stipulated
in
paragraph 4.17, Elevating Personnel.
a) APW- WRIGHTLINE INC, MONSON MA; TWO EMPLOYEES WORKING FROM AN
UNAPPROVED  WORK PLATFORM  THAT HAD BEEN ELEVATED ON THE FORKS
OF A YALE FORK TRUCK  (SERIAL#A809N01744S)  FELL  6  FEET ONTO A
CONCRETE FLOOR, SUSTAINING  SERIOUS INJURIES WHEN THE ELEVATED
PLATFORM UNEXPECTEDLY TILTED AND SLID OFF THE FORKS OF THE LIFT
TRUCK.  THE UNAPPROVED PLATFORM INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT
CONSISTED OF A  PORTABLE STORAGE BIN CONSTRUCTED OF WOOD AND
STEEL WHICH WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR USE AS A PERSONNEL WORK
PLATFORM. ADDITIONALLY,  THE BIN HAD NOT BEEN SECURED TO THE FORK
TRUCK TO PREVENT IT FROM SLIPPING OFF THE FORKS AND THE FRONT OF
THE BIN WAS OPEN, EXPOSING THE WORKERS TO FALL HAZARDS.

Issued

Feb 19, 2002

Abate by

Feb 22, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced