OSHA Inspection: OPDENAKER TRASH REMOVAL, INC.

Issued

Feb 24, 2004

Abate by

Mar 30, 2004

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,444 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employmnent 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) Opdenaker Trash Removal Service, Inc., 8 Elm Ave., Aston, Pa., Truck
#42, Working at
Morris Drive, Glenn Mills, Pa.,  -  An employee working as a laborer (i.e.
helper), performing
refuse collection on 11-04-03, was permitted to stand/ride on the
articulated hydraulic grabber
arm, which was not designed or intended for this purpose while the refuse
collection truck was
in motion between stops at customer trash pick-up locations. Consequently,
the affected
employee was exposed to the hazard of falling from the truck onto the
roadway below, and
directly into the path of the oncoming right rear tires of the trash
truck,
due to inconsistent
vehicle movement. As a result of the employee's exposure to the above
described hazard, he did
in fact fall from the truck onto the roadway below, and was run over by
the right rear tires of
the trash truck. The employee in question, who was exposed to the above
described hazard, and
who fell victim to the above described accident, expired and was
pronounced dead at the scene
due to multiple blunt force trauma sustained. Observed 11-05-03.
Abatement Documentation Required.
Among other methods, one reasonable, feasible, and acceptable corrective
measure, which will
constitute abatement of the violative condition, is as follows:
1) Employees should only be permitted to stand/ride on the exterior of the
refuse collection
trucks, while the vehicle is in motion between pick-up stops, for short
distances (e.g. 100 feet
or less) and at slow speeds (e.g. less than 8 miles per hour).
2) At such times when employees are permitted to stand/ride on the
exterior of a refuse
collection vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, under the above
described conditions and
constraints, the subject authorized employees should only be permitted to
stand/ride on a step
platform(s) that are specfically designed and intended for that purpose.
These standing/riding
step platform(s) should: a) be self-cleaning, b) present a slip-resistant
surface, c) provide a
surface area of at least 220 square inches, d) be capable of supporting at
least 500 pounds, and
e) be at least 8 inches deep.
3) Sturdy hand-holds (i.e. grab habdles), capable of withstanding a 500
pound pull, should be
strategically located vis-a-vis each and every suitably designed step
platform,
conforming to theabove described specifications, to assist affected
workers in balancing themselves against
inconsistent vehicle movement.
4) Refuse collection vehicles should be equipped (i.e. retro-fitted) with
extended fenders and/or
additional body panels, where necessary, applicable, and appropriate, to
eliminate or at a
minimum reduce the likelihood of workers landing in the path of the
subject vehicle's wheels
in the event of a fall.
5) All employers with workers performing refuse collection should develop,
implement, and
enforce written safe work procedures, policy, and protocol for
standing/riding on and working
near moving refuse collection vehicles, and thoroughly train all affected
workers on the
elements, provisions, and safeguards contained therein.d

Issued

Feb 24, 2004

Abate by

Mar 30, 2004

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Feb 24, 2004

Abate by

Mar 30, 2004

Issued

Feb 24, 2004

Abate by

Mar 30, 2004

Issued

Feb 24, 2004

Abate by

Mar 30, 2004

Issued

Feb 24, 2004

Abate by

Feb 27, 2004

Issued

Feb 24, 2004

Abate by

Feb 27, 2004