OSHA Inspection: ROCKY MOUNTAIN SIGNING

Issued

Nov 24, 2009

Abate by

Dec 9, 2009

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $420 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 "struck by" motor vehicles while standing in active
signalized intersections:
a)  Rocky Mountain Signing, Broadway Project, Pine to Iris Ave., Boulder,
CO: On or about June 4th, 2009, an employee/flagger was observed directing
traffic while standing in an active signalized intersection on the corner
of Pine
and Broadway. Employee/flagger was observed using hand signals to direct
road
users through a four way signalized intersection.
b)  On or about June 4th, 2009, an employee/flagger was observed directing
traffic while standing in an active signalized intersection on the corner
of Alpine
and Broadway. Employee/flagger was observed using hand signals to direct
road
users through a four way signalized intersection. The flagger was
directing road
users while his/her back faced road users approaching from the opposite
direction.
c)   On or about June 4th, 2009, an employee/flagger was observed directing
traffic while standing in an active lane of traffic on the corner of High
Street and
Broadway. Employee/flagger was observed using hand signals to direct road
users
through an active traffic lane. The flagger was not using a STOP/SLOW
paddle
that was laying on the ground approximately 10 feet away.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is to
follow the Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Millennium Edition, Part 6
titled Temporary
Traffic Control.  Section 6E.04 "Flagger Procedures" states the following.
The following methods of signaling with paddles shall be used;
A) To stop  road users, the flagger shall face road users and aim the STOP
paddle face toward
road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally
away from the body. The
free arm shall be held with the palm of the hand above shoulder level
toward approaching
traffic.
B) To direct stopped road users to proceed, the flagger shall face road
users with the SLOW
paddle face aimed toward road users in a stationary position with the arm
extended horizontally
away from the body.  The flagger shall motion with the free hand for road
users to proceed.
C)  To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall face road users with the
SLOW paddle face aimed
toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended
horizontally away from the
body.
The following methods of signaling with a flag shall be used:
A)  To stop road users, the flagger shall face road users and extend the
flag staff horizontally
across the road users' lane in a stationary position so that the full area
of the flag is visibly
hanging below the staff.  The free arm shall be held with the palm of the
hand above the
shoulder level toward approaching traffic.B)  To direct stopped road users
to proceed, the flagger shall stand parallel to the road user
movement and with the flag and arm lowered from the view of the orad
users, and shall motion
with the free hand for road users to proceed. Flags shall not be used to
signal road users to
proceed.
C)  To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall face road users and slowly
wave the flag in a
sweeping motion of the extended arm from the shoulder level to straight
down without raising
the arm above a horizontal position. The flagger shall keep the free hand
down.