OSHA Inspection: WASTE MANAGEMENT OF COLORADO, INC.

Issued

Dec 3, 2010

Abate by

Jan 5, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,675 · Current $4,208 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 was free from
recognized hazards
which were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in
that, employees
were exposed to crushing hazards:
a)  On or about September 20, 2010 and at times prior, helper employees
working in the
alley behind the 800 block of 13th Street in Pueblo, Colorado, were
exposed to crushed-by
and struck-by injuries while they rode the side steps of waste collection
trucks in narrow
alleys which were full of utility poles and other obstacles.  Employees
did not have sufficient
space while riding to safely clear these obstacles, and, as a result, one
employee was crushed
between a truck and a utility pole.
b)  On or about September 20, 2010 and at times prior, helper employees
were not provided
with the job-specific helper safety training required by ANSI Z245.1 which
would aid them
in recognizing hazards while performing waste collection duties and riding
on the side steps
of refuse collection vehicles.
Abatement:
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the hazards
would be to implement the requirements of Waste Management's own
"Operations and Safety
Rules Book" which states in section 12.6 that the "Driver and Helper must
watch out for
other obstacles close to the truck that might hit the Helper on the riding
step."  Waste
Management could prohibit riding on steps in narrow alleys that are full
of obstacles and
helpers could instead ride in the cab or walk.
Waste Management should train the helpers per ANSI Z245.1(1999) section
9.3.1 to
recognize such hazards (note that this section specifically mentions the
training of contract
laborers).  A  NIOSH Alert titled "Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths
From
Moving
Refuse Collection Vehicles" also provides recommendations for helpers
working near
obstructions.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see
enclosed "Sample
Abatement-Certification Letter").

Issued

Dec 3, 2010

Abate by

Apr 5, 2011

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 was free from
recognized hazards
which were likely to  cause death or serious physical harm to employees in
that, employees
were exposed to crushing hazards:
a)  On or about September 20, 2010 and at times prior, helper employees
working in the
alley behind the 800 block of 13th Street in Pueblo, Colorado, were
exposed to injuries while
they rode waste collection trucks which had side riding steps that did not
provide sufficient
space to correctly place their feet and position their bodies.  Steps had
a usable surface area
of less than 192 square inches which was 28 square inches less than the
220 square inches of
space required by ANSI Z245.1.
Abatement:
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct the hazards
would be to increase the useable area of the riding steps to at least 220
square inches as
required by ANSI Z245.1(1999).
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see
enclosed "Sample
Abatement-Certification Letter").

Issued

Dec 3, 2010

Abate by

Jan 5, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,675 · Current $3,000 Reduced