OSHA Inspection: SENSIBLE PROPERTY CARE, INC.

Issued

Apr 16, 2010

Abate by

Apr 29, 2010

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $564 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 a crushing and/or drowning hazard due to
potential roll-over
when operating zero turn mowers at areas of variable slope and at sloped
embankments as
well as areas with a drop off such as curbing, on or about 03/04/10.
a) At the site, two Dixie Chopper mowers, were operated without rollover
protective
structures exposing employees to the hazard of being crushed by the mower
in the
event of tipping over. Employees were conducting mowing operations near
street
curbing 6 to 8 inches high and at the street shoulders where the terrain
was not flat.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this
hazard would be:
1. Install a properly functioning rollover protection and ensure that
employees always
fully extend the Roll-Over Protection system as indicated by the
manufacturer of the
equipment.
2. Develop and implement an effective written operator training program
for the
mower operators which incorporates, at a minimum, that supervisors and
operators
be
thoroughly trained in the safe operating practices for the mowers, and in
the
recognition of potentially hazardous conditions, such as those stated in
the "Safety
Instructions for Operators" section of the American National Standard for
"Safety
Specification for Power Lawn Mowers, Lawn and Garden Tractors, and lawn
Tractor", ANSI B71.1-2003.
3. Follow the manufacturer operating instructions and "Safe Operating
Practices"
found in the Dixie Chopper with 60 in. Side Discharge Mower Models 3300
and 2703
Operator's Manual. This includes the "mowing up and down" on slopes
greater than 5
degrees and to never mow on slopes greater than 15 degrees.
4. Use weed-edging equipment and walk behind mowers in the "Safety Zone"
areas
(at the edge of waters and near drop offs).
5. Establish and implement unannounced safety audits to ensure all
operators
are
following the established safe practices.
6. Establish a progressive disciplinary action policy for employees who
fail to follow
established safe work practices.