OSHA Inspection: WASTE MANAGEMENT OF LOUISIANA LLC

Issued

Jun 27, 2003

Abate by

Jul 2, 2003

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 following condition(s):
a)  For the period of time up to and including 25 Feb 03, employees and
contractor
personnel of the employer were observed without being outfitted with
reflectorized traffic
vests. This condition exposed employees to vehicular hazards and injuries.
Instances:
1. 13 Feb 03 - Crew was collecting residential trash on Behrman Hwy in
Terrytown LA
at approx 0530 hrs. Contractor personnel were working behind the waste
collection
vehicle, wearing dark clothing without wearing reflectorized vests while
collecting trash.
This is a highly travelled roadway with 4 lanes of traffic and a speed
limit
of 45 mph.
2. 17 Feb 03 - Crew was collecting residential trash on Holmes Blvd in
Terrytown LA
at approx 0530 hrs (pre-dawn). Contractor personnel (Hoppers) were working
behind the
waste collection vehicle, wearing dark clothing without a reflectorized
vest with vehicular
traffic in both directions with a speed limit of 30 mph.
3. 20 Feb 03 - Crew was collecting residential trash on Ave Mont Martre in
Terrytown
LA at approx 0830 hrs. Contractor personnel and the driver of the waste
collection
vehicle were not wearing reflectorized vests while collecting trash from
both sides of the
street with limited vehicular traffic with a speed limit of 20 mph.
4. 24 Feb 03 - Crew was collecting residential trash on Ave Mont Martre in
Terrytown
LA at approx 0800 hrs. Contractor personnel and the driver of the waste
collection
vehicle were not wearing reflectorized vests while collecting trash from
both sides of the
street with limited vehicular traffic. Driver of the vehicle handed vests
to contractor
personnel that were in the cab of the vehicle upon being observed.
5. The above mentioned crew and others have been observed numerous times
prior in
the Terrytown LA on streets such as Terry Parkway, Carol Sue Ave, and
other side
streets without reflectorized vests or garments.
In accordance with ANSI Z245.1-1999, "Safety Requirements-Mobile Wastes
and Recyclable
Materials Collection, Transportation and Compaction Equipment" Paragraph
6.1.4.1
"Operational Requirements, Employer Responsibilities, Supervision General"
it states that the
"Employer shall be responsible for: Monitoring the employee's activities
and taking appropriate
action to ensure adherance to safe practices and the employee requirements
of this standard."
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
would be to provide or require reflectorized garments of the type
recommended in the MUTCD
that are comfortable enough for the employees/contractor personnel to wear
for
periods of time
up to 8 hrs and in various weather conditions. Employees/contractor
personnel should also
receive additional training with regard to the reasons why reflectorized
vests and/or garments
should be worn on the job.

Issued

Jun 27, 2003

Abate by

Jul 23, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,975

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 following condition(s):
a)  For the period of time up to and including 25 Feb 03, adequate
lighting was not
provided to contractor personnel working behind the trash collection
vehicle during pre-
dawn hours of operation. Rear Loading vehicles operated on Holmes Blvd,
Behrman
Highway, Carol Sue Ave and adjacent side streets in the Terrytown LA area,
did not
have adequate illumination of the area surrounding the rear of the
equipment.
In accordance with ANSI Z245.1-1999 "Safety requirements-Mobile Wastes and
Recyclable Materials Collection, Transportation and Compaction Equipment"
Paragraph
6.1.7.1 "Operational requirements, Employer responsibility, Work Lighting"
states that
"The employer shall be responsible for: Supplying the appropriate work
lighting for
operations during hours of darkness. Equipment may be used during hours of
darkness
when light is available for adequaet visibility in the area of operation
including the riding
steps, loading hoppers and overhead obstructions."
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this
hazard is to install a lighting system, such as a floodlight, to
illuminate the rear of the
trash collection vehicle during pre-dawn or other hours of darkness.