OSHA Inspection: BURROWS, LISTON, & SULLIVAN, INC

Issued

May 12, 2004

Abate by

Jun 14, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

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 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 fall hazards:
(a)Burrows, Liston, & Sullivan, Inc., at 1701 Mountain Sky Lane, Granby,
CO:  On or before May 7, 2004, the exposing employer did not ensure that
the platform designed for elevating personnel was lowered to the floor
level to
allow employees to safely enter and exit the work platform. Employees used
an extension ladder to gain access to the elevated forklift platform.  This
condition exposed the employee to the hazard of falling approximately 25
feet.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards
is to follow ASME/ANSI requirements associated to lifting personnel as
outlined below:
(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 4.17.2 and 4.17.3 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 for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks, paragraphs 4.17.2-
4.17.3 on items such as:
1)  comply with design requirements in paragraph 7.36 of the above
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 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 of
paragraph
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 paring brake;
14) before elevating personnel, mark area with cones or other devices to
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 or exit.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").