OSHA Inspection: WARD TRUCKING LLC

Issued

Nov 15, 2010

Abate by

Dec 8, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 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 the hazard of being struck by a hand pallet jack while
moving a load down an
incline:
a. 1113 Nobb Hill Drive, West Chester, PA 19381-1884 - On or about August
5, 2010, an
employee experienced a fatal head injury due to a fall while pulling a
hand pallet truck with a
255 lb pallet down a driveway with an approximately 11 degree slope.
While he was in front
of the pallet jack and was walking backwards while pulling this load down
a steeply sloped
driveway, he lost control of the pallet jack.  To avoid being struck by
the pallet jack, he jumped
onto the grass, struck his head and elbow, and twisted his left ankle.
NOTE: Among other methods, the following feasible and acceptable abatement
methods to
correct this hazard are: to train employees in the safe operation of the
hand pallet trucks, in
accordance with the manufacturer's Operator's Manual "Palletsmith Hand
Pallet Truck Operators
Manual"; whenever possible, avoiding the movement of loads up or down
ramps; if employees
are required to use a ramp, do not allow them to be in front of a hand
pallet jack while moving
backwards with a load down an incline ramp; push the pallet jack when
going down an incline;
lighten the loads; use either electric powered hand pallet trucks or hand
pallet trucks equipped
with optional hand brakes.
ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED.

Issued

Nov 15, 2010

Abate by

Nov 19, 2010