There are some things I do so that you don’t have to! One of those is scrubbing OSHA citations that are relevant to our workplaces. It is where I get much of my information for my “Line Break Gone Bad” posts, PRCS cases, LOTO, and PSM cases. 99% of the time, I can understand the citation; but here is one of the 1%’ers…
On/or about June 21, 2024 and prior to, the employer did not mark the aisles, passageways, and the loading docks , and did not remove the yellow painted steel bollard where the Unicarrier P1547, model MCP1F2A20LV, S/N CP1F2-9W26491, powered industrial truck (PIT) traveled creating obstructions when mechanical equipment was operated.
So, did OSHA actually cite an employer for installing a bollard to protect assets? Granted, it was a bollard the employee struck that caused the PIT to flip over leading to the fatal injury. But had there not been a bollard, would the employee have struck the equipment the bollard was protecting and had the same results? I did notice the language in the citation that makes it appear that MAYBE the bollard was no longer needed and maybe should have been removed?
We may never know the actual facts. I am considering making a FOIA request to see if I can get scene photos and the CSHO field notes to understand this logic as I hope there is something more to this than issuing a citation over the placement of a bollard. Of course, nowhere in 1910/1926 is the use of bollards mentioned; yet OSHA has issued PSM and EPA has issued citations for not having bollards in place to protect the PSM/RMP covered process.
I will update if I learn more.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.violation_detail?id=1757242.015&citation_id=01002