OSHA Inspection: COASTAL RECYCLING, INC.

Issued

Jun 14, 2013

Abate by

Jul 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $10,780

General-duty citation text

HAZARD: CRUSHING OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 these employees were exposed to the hazards of being struck by, run over, and crushed by the wheels of refuse trucks. This occurred because employees including, but not limited to, laborers are allowed to ride on the incorrect section of front-loading refuse trucks when they are traveling during refuse collection activities. When this occurs the employees ride on a section of the vehicle that was not designed, nor built, for this activity.   On at least four different occasions employees were allowed to ride in an unsafe manner on the outside of trash collection trucks while the truck was moving:   1)  On 01/24/2013 employees were allowed to ride on the exterior portion of a front-loading recycling truck while the vehicle was in motion whereby one employee was standing with one foot on the cab?s access step while holding onto the vehicle's rear-view mirror and the other employee was positioned on the vehicle?s front bumper. The truck rolled over a speed bump whereby the employee on the cab?s step fell to the road and the vehicle?s left front tire ran over the employee?s legs. The employee suffered a partial amputation of the left leg and injuries to the right ankle from being run over by truck.   2)  On 03/07/2013 a Coastal Recycling was observed with an employee holding onto the vehicle's rear-view mirror while standing with one foot on the cab?s access step and the other on the front bumper while the vehicle was in motion.  3)  On 03/14/2013 a Coastal Recycling truck was observed traveling on Mendon Road in Cumberland, Rhode Island with an employee positioned on the driver?s front step of the vehicle while the vehicle was in motion.  4)  On 03/29/2013 a Coastal Recycling truck (rear load type) was observed traveling south along the Eddie Dowling Highway at approximately 35 MPH with an employee positioned at the curbside rear station step.    Among other methods, several feasible and acceptable means of abatement includes, but is not limited to:  1)  Ensure employees ride only in areas that are designed and designated as proper driving or riding positions and establish a written rule that outlines the employer's instructions regarding driving and riding positions. These include, but are not limited to, the provisions outlined in ANSI Z245.1 - 2008, 6.2.3.2 a) through j), Driving and Riding positions;   2)  As per ANSI Z245.1 entitled Mobile Wastes and Recyclable Materials Collection, Transportation, and Compaction Equipment-Safety Requirements, implement a Safety Program which includes a hazard assessment, an evaluation of the means and methods of controlling those hazards, a written program to include operation/inspection/maintenance procedures, prohibited practices, recordkeeping, training requirements, and reference to utilized documents; a schedule for the implementation of the written program and periodic reviews/revisions to ensure the effectiveness of the program;   3)  Provide training to ensure that all employees, including supervisors, drivers and laborers are properly trained for their assigned jobs, tasks, and use of related equipment. This training must be provided at least upon initial assignment to a job or task, with periodic refresher training as necessary to maintain the required level of competence. Additional retraining also shall be provided whenever a periodic inspection reveals, or whenever the employer has reason to believe, that there are employee deviations from procedures or inadequacies in the employee's knowledge of procedures;   4)  Training records, at a minimum, maintained in accordance with ANSI Z245.1-2008, Section 9.3.2;   5)  Training requirements, at a minimum, should include those provisions outlined in ANSI Z245.1-2008, Section 9.3.4.   Abatement certification is required for this violation. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and indicate that those employees were informed.   The Coastal Recycling, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 5(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314919267, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 06/11/2012, with respect to a workplace located at 32 Thurbers Avenue, Providence, RI.