OSHA Inspection: KURTZ BROTHERS, INC.

Issued

Oct 27, 2009

Abate by

Nov 13, 2009

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,500 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 crushing and/or struck by hazards while being elevated in
a front end loader:
On or about June 1st, 2009 at the City of North Royalton Recycle Center,
10789 Royalton Road,
North Royalton, Ohio 44133, the Site Supervisor elevated an employee
standing inside the
bucket of a Komat'su WA400-5L front end loader to remove wood debris from
the top section
of a Power Screen using a crow bar, exposing the employee to the hazard of
being crushed
and/or struck by the loader. During the removal of debris from the Power
Screen, the operator
hit the unlocked hydraulic tilt control handle with his shoulder causing
the front bucket to tilt
pinning the employee between the Power Screen Grate and the bucket.
Among other methods, the following are feasible and acceptable method to
correct this hazard.
1.) Follow the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual for the
Komat'su WA400-5L
front end loader. The requirements include, but are not limited to the
Safety Section, No People
on Attachments Section states "Never let anyone ride on the bucket,
grapple, clamshell, or other
attachments."
2.) Follow the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Wheel Loader/
Tractor Safety
Manual for Operating and Maintenance Personnel, Work Safety Section.  The
requirements
states "Never use a bucket for a work platform or personnel carrier."
3.) Utilizes an extension ladder or install a fixed ladder to access the
top section of the Power
Screen Grate.