OSHA Inspection: ALBERTSON'S STORE #875

Issued

Sep 9, 2003

Abate by

Sep 27, 2003

Penalty

Initial $1,500

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
employees were exposed to a potential fall hazard associated with lifting
personnel on a high-
lift motorized hand truck:
(a)Albertson's & 5005 W. 72nd Ave., Westminster, CO 80030:  The
Linde/Baker EWS40 Serial # 26600132, high-lift motorized hand truck was
used to lift an employee on the forks approximately 10 feet to affix a 30
minute photo processing sign to the front of the store.  This condition
exposed
the employee to a fall hazard of approximately 10 feet.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
is to follow ASME/ANSI requirements associated to lifting personnel:
(a)Only operator-up high lift trucks have been designed to lift personnel.
If a
work platform is used on trucks designed and intended for handling
materials,
the requirements of paras. 4.17.2 and 4.17.2 shall be met for the
protection of
personnel. Whenever a truck is used to elevate personnel, the following
precautions for the protection of personnel shall be taken as per ASME
B56.1-
2000, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers- An American National
Standard- Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks, paragraph
4.17.2-4.17.3, on items such as:
1)comply with the design requirements in para. 7.36 of this Standard:
2)provide protection for personnel in their normal working position on
the platform from moving parts of the truck that represent a hazard;
3)be certain that required restraining means such as railings, chains,
cable, body belt(s) with lanyard(s), or deceleration devices, etc., are in
place and properly used;
4)be certain that the lifting mechanism is operating smoothly throughout
its entire lift height, both empty and loaded, and that all lifting devices
and latches, if provided, are functional;
5)provide overhead protection as indicated to be necessary by the
operating conditions;
6)replace any body belt, lanyard, or deceleration device that has sustained
permanent deformation or is otherwise damaged.
7)provide a platform that complies with the design requirements in para.
7.36.3;
8)the platform attachment means are applied and the platform is securely
attached to the lifting carriage or forks;
9)when the lifting carriage and/or forks are supporting the platform used
to elevate personnel, the lifting carriage and/or forks are secured to
prevent them from pivoting upward;
10)the mast is vertical- do not operate on a side slope;
11)the platform is horizontal and centered and not tilted forward or
rearward when elevated;
12)the truck has a firm and level footing
13)place all travel controls in neutral and set parking brake
14)before elevating personnel, mark area with cones or other devices to
warn of work by elevated personnel;
15)lift and lower personnel smoothly, with caution, and only at their
request;
16)avoid overhead obstructions and electric wires;
17)keep hands and feet clear of controls other than those in use;
18)move truck and/or platform slowly, only for minor adjustments in
horizontal positioning when personnel are on the platform, and only at
their request;
19)on trucks equipped with rotators, mechanically secure the rotator to
prevent movement;
20)have a trained operator in position to control the truck, or available
to
operate controls. When the operator is not in the operating position,
engage the parking brake and block the wheels;
21)the combined weight of the platform load, and personnel not to exceed
one-half of the capacity as indicated on the nameplate of the truck on
which the platform is used;
22)personnel are to remain on the platform floor. Use of railings, planks,
ladders, etc., on the platform for purpose of achieving additional reach
or height is prohibited;
23)personnel and equipment on the platform not to exceed the available
space;
24)lower platform to the floor level for personnel to enter and exit. Do
not
climb on any part of the truck attempting to enter and exit.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see
enclosed "Sample
Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification