OSHA Inspection: HAINES CITY INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Aug 2, 2006

Abate by

Aug 7, 2006

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,165 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
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 crushing injuries from a
traveling goat/loader
vehicle.
a)GGI Davis Grove - Ruby Ellis & Macy Quarters Rds; Frostproof, Fl.
1978 International Goat/Loader Vehicle # 42 - FL. License # U10-86N -Vin #
D0835HHB38131
A goat/loader vehicle containing (9) fully loaded orange bins which
obstructed
the operator's rear view, was driven in a reverse direction prior to
ensuring
that all employees were clear of the approaching vehicle resulting in the
employee being struck-by and killed by the vehicle, on or about, 04/18/06.
ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE METHOD OF ABATEMENT WOULD BE TO:
1) Follow Petersen Industries Inc.'s Lightning Loaders/Lightning Lifts
Operator's Citrus
Manual CL, page 15, which specifically states to "Always be aware of other
vehicle traffic
and pedestrians in the grove. You must always be aware of the picking
crews in the groves.
Petersen recommends a safe working distance of 20 feet between the loader
and people that
are in the work area".
2) Require the use of spotters to assist goat/loader operators when
driving in a reverse
direction is absolutely necessary, to assure that no employees are
struck-by approaching
vehicles.