OSHA Inspection: CROMWELL'S LAWN SERVICE, LLC

Issued

Jul 24, 2007

Abate by

Aug 11, 2007

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  On or
about 2/21/07 the
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free of
recognized hazards that were causing, or likely to cause, death or serious
physical harm to
employees in that employees were exposed to a crushing and/or drowning
hazard due to
potential roll-over when operating a ride-on mower on an embankment with a
slope greater
than fifteen (15) degrees, and which was located in close proximity to the
drop-off at the
edge of a body of water.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
would be to develop and implement an effective operator training program
for mower
operators which incorporates, at a minimum, that operators be thoroughly
trained in the
recognition, and avoidance, of potentially hazardous mowing conditions and
in the Safety
Instructions contained in the TORO Mower Operator Safety Requirements and
the Operators
Manual for TORO Z-Master Zero Turn Riding Mowers which specifically
address, safe
mowing operations on slopes between 5 degrees and 15 degrees, no mowing on
slopes
greater than 15 degrees, and mowing near drop-offs, ditches, steep banks
or water.
Also any TORO Z-Master Mowers that may be used in the future that are not
equipped with
Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS) should be immediately taken to a TORO
Dealer to
determine if the Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS) are available for
installation on that
model mower.