OSHA Inspection: CLEVELAND COUNTY - SELF-MCNEILLY SOLID WASTE MANAG

Issued

Jul 29, 2010

Abate by

Sep 14, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(l) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of North Carolina:  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 moving vehicles:
a)at the Self-McNeilly Solid Waste Management Facility working face - an
employee directing
traffic of industrial vehicles, which were backing up, was struck and
killed by a compactor.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Research from various government and industry
publications referenced
several methods to better maintain a safe distance between personnel
working on the ground [e.g.
"spotter"] and moving heavy equipment or to otherwise protect spotters
from being struck by heavy
equipment.  Recommended methods include the use of barriers, signage, a
safe zone or directing from
in front of trucks and not between rear of truck and compactor.
REFERENCES
1) Barriers/Signage/Safe Zone/Directing from in front of trucks and not
between rear of truck and
compactor
a) Out Of Sight, Out Of Danger...Wrong! - MSW Management magazine,
Sep./Oct.
2006, pg.3 [statement regarding  Republic's policy of not having spotters
stand behind
trucks]
"Republic has not abolished its own spotter positions, but has adopted
some measures to
increase safety, such as not having them stand behind trucks and --- at
some of their
landfills - - - placing spotters on an elevated lifeguard type stand for
increased
visibility."
b) SWANA On-Site Training Course, Instructor's Manual [2009], I Am SWANA
Training
- Landfill Operations Basics, pg.3-2 & 3-5
"Some landfills employ full-time spotters.  Others use no spotter and rely
solely on
signs or other devices to direct traffic to the appropriate unloading
area.  As a
compromise, some landfills use a spotter, but require that he/she stay
inside a *safe
zone* rather than walk around the tipping area.  Examples might include
concrete
barricades (like the ones used as highway dividers) or a small portable
building." [3-2]
"Pylons, traffic cones, barricades, and guardrails placed at proper
locations are
effective in helping control traffic." [3-5]
c) SWANA Health and Safety Instructor's Guide [2003] - For Landfill
Operations
Personnel, pg.4-10
"The spotter should never be behind a vehicle at the working face."
d) SWANA On-Site Training Course, Instructor's Manual [2009], I Am SWANA
Training
- Landfill Operations Basics, pg.7-7
"Spotter Safety - The spotter has an important and often dangerous job to
do.  To stay
safe, the spotter should: Always stay in front of vehicles...never
behind."
e)"Traffic Director - Basic Responsibilities",  Neal Bolton, Blue Ridge
Services, LandfillSafety Consultant
"Safety - A traffic director [a.k.a. 'spotter'] works amidst heavy
traffic, including both
self-haul vehicles and commercial trucks.  Because of this, the traffic
director is often in
a vulnerable position.  The traffic director must stay alert at all times,
practice good
communication and use appropriate safety equipment.  He may also need to
work in a
safety barricade.  Often, a traffic director will work inside a 'safety
zone', a barrier
made of concrete or other materials."
f)"Traffic Director - Basic Responsibilities",  Neal Bolton, Blue Ridge
Services, Landfill
Safety Consultant
"Directing Customers - When helping trucks back in, the traffic director
must stay in
front of the truck, never behind and must always maintain constant eye
contact with the
truck driver."

Issued

Jul 29, 2010

Abate by

Sep 14, 2010

Penalty

Initial $100 · Current $100

Issued

Jul 29, 2010

Abate by

Sep 14, 2010

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Issued

Jul 29, 2010

Abate by

Sep 14, 2010

Penalty

Initial $100 · Current $100