OSHA Inspection: SEAMAN PAPER COMPANY OF MASS., INC.

Issued

Jan 14, 2009

Abate by

Jan 20, 2009

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $875

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 in that
employee(s) were exposed
to the hazard of falling.
(a) PRODUCTION AREA(S) -- A FABRICATED MANLIFT CAGE WHICH HAD BEEN
USED BY PERSONNEL TO SERVICE ELEVATED EQUIPMENT AND LIGHTS FROM
THE FORKS OF A PROPANE POWERED FORKLIFT TRUCK AT THIS FACILITY, HAD
NOT BEEN TESTED NOR RECEIVED A CAPACITY RATING FOR ITS INTENDED USE
PRIOR TO IT BEING PLACED INTO SERVICE BY THE EMPLOYER.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard,
would be to comply with ASME, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,
ASME B56.1-
1993, Safety Standard for Low lift and High lift Trucks, Section 4.17
Elevating Personnel,
specifically Section 4.17.3, in that, whenever a truck is equipped with a
work platform, the
following precautions shall include, but not be limited to, the following
steps
for the protection
of personnel:  (a) Provide a platform that complies with the design
requirements of paragraph
7.35, namely that work platforms shall comply with 7.35 as follows:  1.
Have a slip-resistant
floor surface; 2. Shall have a minimum floor space of 18" X 18" for each
platform occupant;
3. Provide protection for personnel in their normal working position on
the platform from
moving parts of the truck that represent a hazard; and 4. Provide a
restraining means such as
a guard rail system or a positive means for securing personnel such as by
a restraint system. (b).
The platform attachment means are applied and the platform is securely
attached to the lifting
carriage or forks; (c) 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 from pivoting upward;
(d) Before elevating personnel, mark area with cones or other devices to
warn of work by
elevated personnel; (e) Lift and lower personnel smoothly, with caution,
and only at their
request; (f) The combined weight of the platform, load, and personnel
shall not exceed one-half
of the capacity as indicated on the nameplate of the truck on which the
platform is used; (g)
Move the truck and/or platform slowly, only for minor adjustments in
horizontal positioning
when personnel are on the platform, and only at their request. (h) 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; (i) The
combined weight of
the platform, load, and personnel shall not exceed one-half of the
capacity as indicated on the
nameplate of the truck on which the platform is used; (j) Personnel are to
remain on the platform
floor. Use of railings, planks, ladders, etc., on the platform for the
purpose of achieving
additional reach or height is prohibited; and (k) Personnel and equipment
on the platform shall
not exceed the available space.ble