OSHA Inspection: UNITED RENTALS

Issued

Apr 20, 2005

Abate by

Apr 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Title 40.1-51.1.(a) Code of Virginia: 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 employee(s) were exposed to tip-over and crushing
hazards while working in the basket of an
aerial lift to run aerial function tests, in part to determine if audible
safety alarms were functioning properly when
the boom begins to overextend its limits.
(a)  October 25, 2004, an employee was killed when inspecting and testing
a 2001 JLG Lift, Model 110SX, serial
number 0300058821, aerial lift. The lift had been returned to the employer
by a renter and the victim was directed
to conduct ground function and aerial function tests to assure that the
lift was in proper working condition before it
would be cleared for renting to a new customer.
Part of the employer's inspection/testing procedures was to test the
vehicles Load Management System to
determine if audible safety alarms were functioning properly when the boom
begins to overextend its limits. The
victim had already conducted a visual inspection of the aerial lift and
run ground function tests using the ground
controls. The victim then entered the aerial lift work platform and began
running the aerial function tests using the
operator's control in the aerial basket. At the time of the accident the
victim had extended the boom out
approximately 96 feet in the air and was apparently intentionally
operating the boom near or beyond its limit to
make sure that the audible alarm was functioning properly. The aerial lift
tipped over and the victim suffered fatal
crushing injuries when the basket hit the ground.
The JLG  Gradall Operating and Safety Manual for the lift on page 2-11
provides that when conducting Load
Management System daily check "At the beginning of each days use, perform
check with no load (persons or
materials) in platform from ground control station." (Emphasis added).
The manual further provides on page
3-11, number 27, Capacity Indicator and Exceeding Operating Radius
Indicator, that "The operator must not
exceed the rated capacity or maximum radius for the load (personnel,
tools, and supplies) shown on the
indicator."
One feasible and acceptable method, among others, to correct this hazard
is for the employer to institute work
rules and train all mechanics and operators to comply with the
manufacturer's inspection, testing and operational
guidelines for the 2001 JLG Lift, Model 110SX. Specifically, the JLG
Gradall Operating and Safety Manual for the
lift on page 2-11 provides  that when conducting  the Load Management
System Daily Check "At the beginning of
each days use, perform check with no load (persons or materials) in
platform from ground control station. "
(Emphasis added). The manual further provides on page 3-11, number 27,
Capacity Indicator and Exceeding
Operating Radius Indicator, that "The operator must not exceed the rated
capacity or the maximum radius for the
load (personnel, tools, and supplies) shown on the indicator."

Issued

Apr 20, 2005

Abate by

Apr 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500