OSHA Inspection: PRAXAIR DISTRIBUTION INC.

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

Jun 19, 2006

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

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 being struck by the truck's lift gate:
On 12/14/05, a delivery truck driver was preparing to unload gas cylinders
from the rear of the
truck.  The driver was operating the control switches at the right side of
the truck.  The
employee entered the area between the dock and the rear of the truck, at
the right-side corner
of the truck.  The lift gate "free-fell", fatally injuring the employee as
it struck his head.
Among other methods, feasible means of controlling/ correcting the hazard
are:
1)Take steps to prevent the lift gate from "free-falling" and to prevent
the safety chains
from catching on the brackets of the lift gate's top rail.
2)Establish a program for training employees in the proper and safe use of
lift gates,
including specific training on staying clear of the area where the
platform opens.
3)Follow the lift gate manufacturer's Operator's Manual for operating
instructions and
recommendations on maintenance and inspections.
4)Ensure that modifications to the lift gate are made in accordance with
the manufacturer's
recommendation so as not to compromise the integrity of the lift gate's
construction or
performance.