OSHA Inspection: NORTH COAST FERROUS SUPPLY INC.

Issued

May 2, 2002

Abate by

May 20, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

5(a)(1):  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.
Employees were exposed to a crushing hazard associated with uncontrolled,
rolling, rail cars.  On February 25,
2002 an employee was exposed to a crushing hazard while in the process of
moving rail cars in the company's
rail yard.  The employer's rail yard track is on a 1 percent grade,
allowing the cars to gravity roll to the lower
end of the track.  The employee had dropped three rail cars from a cut of
eight cars, and was in the process of
riding the hand brake when the five remaining rail cars started to roll,
uncontrolled, down the track.  At the end
of the track a stopper car had been placed to prevent uncontrolled cars
from rolling off of the track.  The five
uncontrolled cars ran into the three slowing cars.  The single hand brake
the employee was controlling was
insufficient to stop the momentum of all eight cars.  Subsequently the
employee was caught between the rolling
cars and the stopper car.  Among other methods, feasible and acceptable
methods
to control the hazards are: (1)
Develop and implement a process or procedure, such as a matrix, that would
provide specific guidance in
determining the appropriate number of hand brakes to apply, considering
grade, tonnage, and other local
conditions prevalent at the time of securement.  This is described in the
Notice of Safety Advisory 97-2
published by the Federal Railroad Administration, which addresses safety
practices to reduce the risk of
casualties from runaway locomotives, cars, and trains caused by a failure
to properly secure unattended rolling
equipment.  (2) Utilize a positive method of rail car control, such as a
dedicated locomotive or car mover to
move rail cars in the rail yard.  (3) Properly train employees, involved
with rail car movement, to ensure a
sufficient number of hand brakes are applied to prevent movement of the
remaining rail cars, prior to dropping
or cutting cars.ng

Issued

May 2, 2002

Abate by

Jun 4, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

May 2, 2002

Abate by

Jun 4, 2002

Issued

May 2, 2002

Abate by

Jun 4, 2002