OSHA Inspection: TOWN OF WINGATE - PUBLIC WORKS

Issued

Oct 5, 2011

Abate by

Oct 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) 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 an overturning lawnmower:
a)Elm Street, in the vicinity of a drainage culvert - where
employees were mowing the shoulder of the road on a slope
varying between 10 - 15 degrees, when the mower
manufacturer recommended a maximum side slope of five
degrees.
Among other methods, one feasible method to correct this hazard is
to follow the manufacturer's labels placarded on the mower, which
states to never mow side hill over five degrees.
b)throughout the Town of Wingate - where employees operated
the Bad Boy zero-turn commercial lawnmower and had not
received training in the safe operation of the equipment.
Among other methods, one feasible method to correct this hazard is
to follow the Zero Turn Mower Owner's Manual, which states "Never
allow untrained people to operate this machine."