OSHA Inspection: COCA-COLA BOTTLING OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND - LAKES

Issued

Nov 20, 2002

Abate by

Dec 23, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $1,125

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 hazard with powered industrial trucks falling from dock
plate in the event that
the driver should unexpectedly pull away from the dock while the powered
industrial trucks were
loading or unloading.
a.Loading dock - Employees were loading and unloading trailers using
powered
industrial trucks (fork trucks and pallet jacks) and the employer had no
system to
make sure that the truck driver did not pull away while the powered
industrial
trucks were loading or unloading.
NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to include trailer operations under the lockout/ tagout
program so that all
affected employees would be clear of the danger zone when the truck is
moved.  Another
suitable method would be to train the employees and require the driver to
activate a
warning device (light or audible device) prior to movement so as to
eliminate the aspect
of an unexpected release of energy.