OSHA Inspection: HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION

Issued

2004-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2004-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $4200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

"Title 40.1-51.1(a), Code of Virginia: On February 25, 2004, 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 employee(s)
in the employees were
exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 26 feet, and one employee
suffered fatal injuries when
he fell apparently trying to climb down a Werner 8 foot fiberglass step
ladder that was
incorrectly set up on the platform of a Grove Manlift (Scissor Lift),
Model # SM 42 RT, serial
#18193. The employees were incorrectly using the step ladder set up inside
the scissor lift to
access and work in the mezzanine area of the #5 dry kiln. The step ladder
apparently slipped
causing the victim to fall to the ground since the use of the step ladder
defeated the protection of
the guardrails.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method among others to correct the
hazard is for the
employer to prohibit the use of a ladder on a scissor lift (i.e. scaffold)
to
increase the working
height of the employees, defeating the protection provided by the
guardrails. The use of an aerial
lift meeting the requirement of 1910.67, or other "man lift" (such as a
scissor lift) which could
extend the full height of the mezzanine level, would provide safe access
to the mezzanine
without the use of the ladder.
[Reference Section 1926.451(f)(15) of the Virginia Occupational Safety and
Health standards for
the Construction Industry:  Ladders shall not be used on scaffolds to
increase the height of
employees, except on large area scaffolds where employers have satisfied
the following
criteria: (i) When the ladder is placed against a structure which is not a
part of the scaffold, the
scaffold shall be secured against the sideways thrust exerted by the
ladder; (ii) The platform units
shall be secured to the scaffold to prevent their movement; (iii) The
ladder legs shall be on the
platform or other means shall be provided to stabilize the ladder against
unequal platform
deflection, and  (iv) The ladders legs shall be secured to prevent them
from
slipping or being
pushed off the platform. (Emphasis added).]s

Issued

2004-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2004-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2125.00 · Current $1275.00 Reduced

Issued

2004-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2004-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $4200.00 Reduced