OSHA Inspection: MAGIC CAR WASH

Issued

Mar 11, 2011

Abate by

Apr 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,940 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 the hazard of being struck and/or crushed by vehicles:
a) 3221 Naamans Rd., Wilmington, DE - An employee was struck by a vehicle
that was
driven by a co-worker out from the conveyor area of the automatic car wash
to the
drying area. The employee driving the vehicle pressed the excelorator/gas
pedal and hit
another vehicle while a co-worker was cleaning the rear side interior of
that vehicle. As
a result of the accident the employee cleaning the rear side interior of
the vehicle
sustained serious injuries. This condition occurred on or about December
23, 2010.
FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS, AMONG OTHER
METODS TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD ARE TO:
1) Install a speed bump at the exit door to stop vehicles from lurching
forward.
2) Instruct employees driving vehicles out of the car wash conveyor area
to put the
vehicle in park and foot on brake pedal before starting the vehicle.
3) Keep employees and customers to the side of the vehicles as much as
possible in the
drying area.
4) Honk the horn prior to moving the vehicle from the conveyor in order to
alert
employees cleaning other vehicles.
5) Install warning signs to alert employees of moving vehicles.
6) Fully depress the brake pedal and visually verify, before starting the
vehicle.
ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION AND VERIFICATION REQUIREDTION