OSHA Inspection: RHODE ISLAND NURSERIES, INC.

Issued

Nov 30, 2009

Abate by

Dec 4, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

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 serious fall hazards as a result of working from the
elevated forks of a skid
steer. On 9-17-09, an employee fell approximately 6 feet while standing on
the elevated forks
of a John Deere JD 250 skid steer while attempting to lower a pallet jack
from the garage loft,
and sustained a serious injury. The employee was not adequately protected
from a fall while
performing this task. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable
abatement methods could
include, but are not limited to: a) The manufacturers Operator's Manual
for the skid steer states
on page 5, "Do not use a bucket or attachment as a work platform or for
carrying people. b)
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Skid Steer Safety Manual
states on page
21, "Never use the bucket, forks, or other attachments for a work platform
or personnel
carrier."
"ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM"

Issued

Nov 30, 2009

Abate by

Dec 17, 2009