Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: CRUSHING

Title 40.1-51.1.(A) Code of Virginia: 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: On September 7, 1998, the employer did not determine if the grain storage tank had the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely, prior to employees accessing the roof of the approx. 47 foot tall tank for the purpose of inspecting the quality of the grain stored inside. On August 28, 1998, the Tidewater Virginia area and the worksite were struck by Hurricane Bonnie. The very strong winds and gusts from the hurricane caused structural damage to a number of buildings and structures on the farm. Employees were exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 44 feet from the roof of the tank, to a crushing hazard from the collapse of the upper five wall bands of the tank, and to an engulfment and asphyxiation hazard from the grain stored inside the tank. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to thoroughly inspect all farm buildings and structures, including the grain storage tanks, for damage after adverse weather conditions - similar to the requirements in the VOSH Standard for Construction 1926.501(a)(2) - Strength and structural integrity of walking/working surfaces - which states that the employer shall determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely.es