OSHA Inspection: BABCOCK DISPOSAL SERVICES

Issued

Apr 9, 2003

Abate by

Apr 14, 2003

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

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, on
November 11, 2002, and times prior thereto, employees were exposed to the
hazards of broken
bones, crushing, and death, from being struck by front end loader
operating in reverse with
defective back-up alarm.
a)  Waste transfer station:  Case model 821C:  S/N JEE012308 front end
loader had an
obstructed view to the rear and operated in reverse with a defective
reverse signal alarm in
the transfer station bay 3 and 4 on November 11, 2002.  No written report
of equipment
inspections existed to verify or determine if the alarm was functioning
properly prior to
operation.  Employer owns two other Case front end loaders with properly
functioning back-
up alarms. Feasible and acceptable abatement methods include, but are not
limited to,
implementation of the Society of Automotive Engineers recommended
practices J 1994 for
Back-Up Alarm Devices.  In addition, the employer should implement the
following practices
in the transfer station, at a minimum;
1)  Ensure that reverse signal alarms are operating.
2)  Retrain operators and other potentially exposed personnel about the
hazards of working
in the proximity of the loader.
3)  Implement an inspection checklist for the equipment, for each shift
used in the transfer
station, and train the maintenance personnel and equipment operators on the
requirements of the inspection procedures.
4)  Post safety rules at the entry to transfer station and establish safe
speed limits.
Abatement certification is required for this violation (using the
CERTIFICATE OF
CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrting
that
abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This
documentation may
include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the
equipment,
photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.