OSHA Inspection: INTERSTATE WASTE SERVICES

Issued

Apr 15, 2024

Abate by

May 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $12,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employee(s) were exposed to fall and struck-by hazard(s) from riding the outside rear step of a refuse collection truck being operated at elevated speed.  A) Foothill Rd at the intersection with Twin Oaks Rd in Bridgewater, NJ 08807 - During completion of a trash pick-up route along Foothill Rd in Bridgewater NJ, a helper was riding the outside step at the back of the passenger's side of the rear-loaded garbage truck. On or about November 20, 2023, the truck was traveling along the east-bound lane at a speed of 19 mph when the helper was struck against a tree that closely abutted the paved lane edge, sustaining serious injuries from the force of the 19 mph impact. The travel speed considerably exceeded the consensus 10 mph limit recognized by the solid waste collection industry for person(s) to safely ride the outside rear step(s), as is to be denoted on warning signs affixed to the sides of the vehicle above each step and at the driver's station, pursuant to provisions of ANSI Standard Z245.1- 1992, as incorporated by reference in 40CFR Part 243.202-1(d). Operation of the vehicle at such elevated speed while employee(s) ride the outside rear step exposes employee(s) to hazard of bodily impact with objects alongside the roadway, or the roadway itself in the event of falling or being bounced off the step.  Incident occurred on November 20, 2023.