OSHA Inspection: CIRCLE A RANCH

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $9,282

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 where employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard from improper use of equipment:  The employer is failing to protect employees from being struck and crushed by heavy equipment. On March 29, 2019 an employee used a Caterpillar 924k front-end wheel loader to drive a fence pole into the ground using the bucket attachment provided by manufacturer.  The loader operator positioned the attachment above the pole and used the attachment and loader to push down on it.  The pole slipped and the loader moved forward, knocking the employee holding the pole to the ground and running over top of him.  Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement would be to:   1. Provide training to all operators on the proper use of machine and to follow procedures within the operator's manual.  2. Establish a restricted-access zone for employees working around the equipment.  3. Use machine only for intended use of digging, loading, lifting, carrying, and moving material as stated in operator's manual.  4. Ensure additional work tools are used on machine to perform tasks other than those which the machine is intended for. 5. Implement use of tools and equipment designed to perform the process, such as a post driver.