OSHA Inspection: VF WASTE SERVICES INC. DBA VF TRASH SERVICE

Issued

May 20, 2009

Abate by

Jun 2, 2009

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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 falls and being crushed by the rear tires of a
vehicle:
(a) On or about 12/24/08 at the intersection of 7500 Middlewood & 7700
Woodway,
Houston, TX, employees were permitted to stand/ride on the side steps of
refuse
collection trucks which were not equipped with slip resistant steps
located behind
the rearmost axle, and hand holds which enabled the rider to attain four
point
contact with the vehicle, exposing employees to the hazard of falling from
the
refuse collection trucks, and being struck by the rear wheels of the
collection
truck.
Among other methods, one feasible, and acceptable abatement method is to
replace existing steps
with steps which meet the AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI Z245.1 - 2008
Mobile
Wastes and Recyclable Materials Collection, Transportation, and Compaction
Equipment Safety
Requirements:
Section 7.2.8 Riding steps
If provided, riding steps (see figure 13) shall:
a) Have a self-cleaning slip-resistant surface;
b) Be capable of supporting a vertical static load of 500 lb (227 kg) at
the point furthest from
its attachment point;
c) Be mounted not more than 24 in (61 cm) above the road surface;
d) Have handhold(s), placed so that a rider who is positioned on the step,
facing the side of the
body, shall be able to attain four point contact with the vehicle, using
both hands and both
feet at approximately shoulder width;
Each handhold shall be capable of withstanding a horizontal static load of
at least 500 lb
(227 kg),
Note: For guidance in selecting the dimensions of the handhold envelope,
see, SAE J833,
Human Physical Dimensions.
e) Have a depth of at least 8 in (20.3 cm) and provide a minimum of 220
square inches ( 1,290
cm2 ) of surface area;
f) Shall be located behind the rearmost axle of the vehicle, but shall not
extend beyond the
rearmost structural portion of the vehicle; and
g) Employer with workers performing collection shall develop, implement,
and enforce written
safe work procedures, policy, and protocol for standing/riding on and
working near moving
collection vehicles, and thoroughly train all affected workers on the
elements, provisions, and
safeguards contained therein.