OSHA Inspection: ARBOR ONE, INC.

Issued

Apr 30, 2010

Abate by

Jun 2, 2010

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $563 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 are exposed to a crushing and/or drowning hazard due to
potential roll-over when
operating ride-on mowers at areas of variable slope and at sloped
embankments in close
proximity to lakes or ponds, on or about 04/02/10.
a) At the site, two zero turn Hustler riding mowers with serial numbers
3709313131
and 8050683, were used without rollover protective structures exposing
employees to
the hazard of being crushed by the mower in the event of tipping over.
Employees
would operate the mower near cubing with a drop of about 6 to 8 inches and
near
lakes and ponds, on or about 03/31/10.
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 (exemptions may include when mowing under
trees with low branches on flat surfaces).
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 and maintenance instructions found in
the Hustler Super Z with 60 in. Side Discharge Mower Operator's Manual and
posted on the manufacturers web-site which states "operate units with the
roll
bar in the raised and locked position and use a seat belt" and also
includes
warnings when mowing 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.