OSHA Inspection: KSC SERVICES INC.

Issued

2004-09-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2004-10-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2500.00 · Current $1625.00 Reduced

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 was free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that:
Employees of KSC Services working alone at DART transit stations during
the night shift
were exposed to the hazard of physical assault.  The employer had not
developed and implemented measures to protect workers from assaults or
other forms of physical
violence in the workplace.  This hazard is recognized by the employer and
by the
industry.
Feasible methods to protect employees from the hazard of physical assault
may include,
but are not limited to, the following:
1.Develop a coordinated plan covering engineering controls, work practices
and
training to prevent/mitigate employee exposure to assaults. Possible
resources for
developing a plan include local law enforcement agencies and the National
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
2.Schedule work such that employees are not working alone.
3.Provide reliable means of communication to employees who may need to
summon
assistance. One possible means of communication is the use of open-mike
radios.
4.Where work must be conducted on the night shift, coordinate with DART
police
for officers to clear stations of all patrons when the last train leaves
for the night
and to regularly patrol the stations until the first train begins running.
5.Identify potential places of safety and shelter at each work location.
6.Conduct training for employees to cover, at a minimum, the following
items:
a.How to recognize the earliest stages of possible assault;
b.How to avoid or mitigate potential violent encounters (including some
words that non-English speakers may use to help de-escalate a situation)
c.How to seek refuge/assistance if violence appears imminent;
7.Once the coordinated plan is implemented, maintain communication with
local
law enforcement and employees, as well as regular surveillance of working
conditions, to review and evaluate the measures taken to prevent assaults.