OSHA Inspection: TROY CITY DPW

Issued

Jan 19, 2015

Abate by

Mar 5, 2015

General-duty citation text

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27-a.3.a(1):  The employer did not furnish
to each of its employees, employment and a place of employment
which was free from recognized hazards that are causing or were
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees and
which will provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives,
safety or health of its employees.  In applying this paragraph,
fundamental distinctions between private and public employment have
been recognized.
(a) Troy City DPW - The employer had not provided a safety and
health program to ensure employees are operating the equipment
properly, as required by ANSI Z245.1-1999, and the manufacturer's
operating manuals. Employees assigned to refuse collection were
exposed to the hazards of falling off and being struck by refuse
collection vehicles during assigned work duties.
1) The employer failed to keep the workplace free from a hazard
which  employees were exposed:
The Troy City DPW did not keep the workplace free from the hazards
created by failing to provide the employees with safe work
procedures during the performance of their refuse collection
duties. Employees are exposed to falls and struck by hazards from
riding on the steps of the truck as it travels in reverse and from
riding on the steps of the truck as it travels at speeds greater
than 10mph. These hazards can result in broken bones, crush
injuries and death. This standard is intended to prevent these
types of injuries.
(2) The hazard was recognized:
The employer allowed employees to ride on the steps of a refuse
collection truck as it traveled in reverse. The employer allowed 1
employee to ride on the steps of a refuse collection truck as it
traveled at a speed greater than 10mph. Hazards created by the
failure to provide and comply with safe work procedures are
recognized by the manufacturer as they have warning labels
prominently displayed on the refuse collection trucks. These
hazards are further recognized by the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Solid Waste
Management Association (NSWMA) who has developed comprehensive
safety practices for workers engaged in solid waste collection that
are detailed in the NSWMA Manual of Recommended Safety Practices.
(3) The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious
physical harm:
Riding on the steps of a refuse collection truck that is traveling
in reverse or that is traveling at a speed greater than 10mph can
lead to a slip or fall from the step. This slip or fall could
result in serious physical injury such as abrasions, broken bones
and crush injuries or even death.
(4) A reasonable and adequate method to correct the hazard exists: A
feasible abatement method, among others, would be for the
employer to provide procedures for ensuring that employees are
practicing safe work practices and for employer monitoring of
equipment use.
The provision of safe work procedures such as those documented in
the NSWMA Manual of Recommended Safety Practices and in the July
14, 2006 PESH Directive on refuse collection vehicles will prevent
worker injuries and deaths from moving refuse collection vehicles.
These procedures should include the following:
- The speed at which riding on the steps is permitted (less than
10mph)
- Distances that riding on the steps is permitted (less than 0.2
miles, never in reverse).
- No one rides on the loading sills or in hoppers.
- Backing up procedures (maintaining visual eye contact between
driver and worker, checking both mirrors repeatedly, use of a
spotter, use of hand signals, remaining clear of the vehicle when
in reverse).
- Proper personal protective equipment (high visibility clothing,
slip resistant footwear).
The employer should also follow recommendations made in ANSI
Standard Z 245.1 and the manufacturer owner's manuals for safe work
procedures.

Issued

Jan 19, 2015

Abate by

Mar 5, 2015

General-duty citation text

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27-a.3.a(1):  The employer did not furnish
to each of its employees, employment and a place of employment
which was free from recognized hazards that are causing or were
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees and
which will provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives,
safety or health of its employees.  In applying this paragraph,
fundamental distinctions between private and public employment have
been recognized.
(a) Troy City DPW - The employer had not provided training and
education for employees who operate and work around refuse
collection equipment, as required by ANSI Z245.1-1999, and the
manufacturer's operating manuals. The lack of training and hazard
awareness related to refuse collection equipment can result in
falls and crushing injuries.
(1)The employer failed to keep the workplace free from a hazard
which employees were exposed:
The Troy City DPW did not keep the workplace free from the hazards
created by failing to provide the employees with training on safe
work procedures. The employer had not provide training and
education for employees who operate and work around refuse
collection equipment as required by ANSI Z 245.1-1999 and the
manufacturers operating manuals. Employees are exposed to falls and
struck by hazards from riding on the steps of the truck as it
travels in reverse and from riding on the steps of the truck as it
travels at speeds greater than 10mph. These hazards can result in
broken bones, crush injuries and death. The lack of training and
hazard awareness related to refuse collection equipment can result
in falls and crushing injuries. Without training on specific
procedures, the employees have been exposed to hazards that are
causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
(2)The hazard was recognized:
Hazards created by the failure to provide and train employees on
safe work procedures are recognized by the manufacturer as they
provide operating manuals that have specific training, use and
maintenance requirements. These hazards are further recognized by
the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as
they recommend that employers train workers on safe work procedures
for riding on and working near moving refuse collection vehicles.
The National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA) has
developed comprehensive safety practices for workers engaged in
solid waste collection that are detailed in the NSWMA Manual of
Recommended Safety Practices.
(3) The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious
physical harm:
Riding on the steps of a refuse collection truck that is traveling
in reverse or that is traveling at a speed greater than 10mph canlead to a
slip or fall from the step. This slip or fall could
result in serious physical injury such as abrasions, broken bones
and crush injuries or even death. These are the types of injuries
that could be prevented with proper training.
(4)A reasonable and adequate method to correct the hazard exists:
A feasible abatement method, among others, would be for the
employer to provide a training and education program for employees
prior to assignment to working with this type of equipment and to
routinely re-enforce the training by tailgate training sessions so
that employees are familiar with safety hazards and safe work
practices related to refuse collection equipment.
The training on safe work procedures such as those documented in
the NSWMA Manual of Recommended Safety Practices and in the July
14, 2006 PESH Directive on refuse collection vehicles will prevent
worker injuries and deaths from moving refuse collection vehicles.
This training should include the following:
- The speed at which riding on the steps is permitted (less than
10mph)
- Distances that riding on the steps is permitted (less than 0.2
miles, never in reverse).
- No one rides on the loading sills or in hoppers.
- Backing up procedures (maintaining visual eye contact between
driver and worker, checking both mirrors repeatedly, use of a
spotter, use of hand signals, remaining clear of the vehicle when
in reverse).
- Proper personal protective equipment (high visibility clothing,
slip resistant footwear).
The employer should also follow recommendations made in ANSI
Standard Z 245.1 and the manufacturer owner's manuals for safe work
procedures and training.