Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CONFINED

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 employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught in augers: a) for employees operating gunite trucks which contain unguarded augers. On or about 07/21/2010 an employee working at 19341 La Serena Dr. in Ft Myers (FL) as a gunite truck driver entered the sand bin of his truck while the auger was in operation. The employee suffered fatal injuries when he got caught-in the unguarded 9-inch auger located inside the sand bin. b) for the 9-inch external auger used in the mixing of the raw materials after they exit the truck. The hinged-cover (guard) over the auger can be easily opened exposing employees to the rotating auger. There is no interlock to shut-down the auger when the guard is opened. c) for employees entering a confined space (the bins on the gunite trucks) to free material stuck to the interior surfaces without the unguarded auger being locked out. Abatement Note: Among other methods, means of feasible abatement include but may not be limited to installing guards over the augers of all trucks to prevent employee contact and eliminating the mechanical hazard associated with the auger prior to entry into the confined space/bin by implementing the elements required by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), Standard Z117.1-1989 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces, including lockout or any other steps necessary to reduce to and ensure zero mechanical state of the auger located within the confined space/bin.