OSHA Inspection: GENERAL PAVING AND CONSTRUCTION CORP.

Issued

Feb 11, 2010

Abate by

Feb 17, 2010

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Issued

Feb 11, 2010

Abate by

Feb 17, 2010

Penalty

Initial $21,000

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 hazards and fall hazards:
912 Silas Deane Hwy. - On or about 11/24/09, an employee was observed
riding the bucket of
an excavator which was being used as means of entry and egress from an
excavation that ranged
from 12 to 15 feet in depth.  The employee was exposed to crushing hazards
and fall hazards
of approximately 17 feet in height while riding on the bucket of the
excavator.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is:
1) Use safe means to enter and egress from the excavation, such as but not
limited to a ladder.
2) Follow the operator's manual as well as guidelines set by the
Association of Equipment
Manufacturers (AEM) which prohibits employees from riding the bucket of a
hydraulic
excavator.
To abate this violation the employer must ensure that employees do not
ride the buckets of
excavators or other earth moving equipment that is not designed for
passengers.