OSHA Inspection: AIMCO

Issued

May 10, 2002

Abate by

May 15, 2002

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

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 the hazards of improper material handling:
a)  On or about 12-06-01, two employees were attempting to carry a full
size refrigerator
down a flight of steps. One employee held the top of the refrigerator
while the other held the
bottom. The refrigerator came free and rammed the employee holding the
bottom into a
guardrail on the landing. The guardrail failed and the employee fell
approximately 15 feet. The
employer failed to provide sufficient material handling equipment for
employees to use in lifting
heavy and bulky materials.  Also the employer failed to train employees in
the safe and proper
methods of lifting materials.
One method of abatement among others, is to provide a heavy duty dolly
cart
to aid in moving
bulky/ heavy materials and train employees in the safe and proper methods
of lifting materials.