OSHA Inspection: P & L LAWN MAINTENANCE, INC.

Issued

2011-04-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2011-05-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2625.00 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 hazard due to potential roll-over when
operating ride-on
zero turn mowers at areas of variable slope and drop offs such as curbing,
on or about
03/23/11.
a. At the site, two zero turn BOB-CAT riding mowers model number 942237A
and
with serial numbers 94223700991 and 94223700989 (company numbers 72 and
73),
were used without a rollover protective structure exposing employees to
the hazard of
being crushed by the mower in the event of tipping over. Employees would
operate
the mower on slopes up to 10.5 degrees and near 8 inch curbing as observed
on or
about 03/23/11
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. Use weed-edging equipment and walk behind mowers in the "Safety Zone"
areas
(at the edge of waters and near drop offs).
4. 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.