OSHA Inspection: QUASIUS CONSTRUCTION, INC

Issued

Jun 2, 2010

Abate by

Jun 20, 2010

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $625 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 multiple injuries and or death from a crushing hazard
created by using improper
safe work practices when loading equipment onto a powered-on
self-propelled scissor lift while
in close proximity of a wall:
Two (2) employees were exposed to a crushing hazard created by performing
ground
level work located between the rear end of a powered-on Hyster V18A
scissor
lift and
a wall; the 2 employees lifted a compressor onto the rear end of the work
platform.
Where a third employee's shirt hooked, pulled, and released the joystick
safety lock and
pushed the joystick into reverse motion while handling the compressor.  An
employee
was pinned between the moving lift and wall.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this hazard are
ensuring the scissor lift, control box, power button is in the off
position when loading equipment
onto the workplatform and conformance to good safety practices for the use
and operation of
self-propelled elevating work platforms is used according to the
acceptable requirements of the
approved American National Standard for Self-Propelled Elevating Work
Platforms ANSI/SIA
A92.6 - 2006, Section 7, Responsibilities of User, and other acceptable
industry practices.  The
ANSI consensus standard requires the following:
7.7Familiarization before use.  The user shall permit only properly
trained personnel
to operate an aerial platform.  The user shall ensure that before use the
operator
is familiar with the model of the aerial platform to be operated, and
specifically:
(2)  knows the operating and maintenance manuals supplied by the
manufacturer are stored in the weather resistant compartment and is
familiar with the operating and safety manuals.
(4)  is aware of and understands all safety devices specific to the model
aerial platform being used.
7.10Operator warnings and instructions.  The user shall direct personnel
operating the
aerial platform to be in compliance with the provisions set forth in
section 8 of
this standard.  The user shall monitor their performance and supervise
their work
to ensure the use, application and operation of the aerial platform is in
conformance with the provisions set forth in this standard, warn personnel
of
potential hazards, provide means to protect against identified hazards,
and explain
the potential consequences of not following proper operating guidelines.
Instructions and guidelines regarding proper operation shall include, but
not
necessarily be limited to the following issues and subjects:
(12)  Reporting potentially hazardous locations.  The user shall direct
the operator
to immediately report to a supervisor any potentially hazardous
location(s) that
become evident during operation.
7.11User as Operator.  If a user is also the operator of an aerial
platform, the user
shall have the responsibilities of operators specified in Section 8 of
this standard
as well as responsibilities of the users as specified in Section 7 of this
standard:8.1Basic principles.  The information in this standard shall be
supplemented by good
judgement, safety control, and caution in evaluating each situation.
Since the
operator is in direct control of the aerial platform, conformance with
good safety
practices in this area is the responsibility of the operator.  The
operator shall
make decisions on the use and operation of the aerial platform with due
consideration for the fact that his or her own safety as well as the
safety of other
personnel on the platform is dependent on those decisions.
8.2.1Machine manuals.  The operator shall ensure the operating and
maintenance
manuals are stored in the weather resistant storage compartment on the
aerial
platform.
8.3Prestart inspection.  Before use each day or at the beginning of each
shift, the
aerial platform shall be given a visual inspection and functional test
including but
not limited to the following:
(1)  Operating and emergency controls.
(2)  Safety devices.
8.7Workplace inspection.  Before the aerial platform is used and during
use, the
operator shall check the area in which the aerial platform is to be used
for
possible hazards such as, but not limited to:
(10)  Other possible unsafe conditions.
Abatement Certification or Abatement Documentation required.tion