OSHA Inspection: WMATA (WASH. METRO AREA TRAINSIT AUTHORITY)

Issued

Mar 22, 2001

Abate by

Apr 9, 2001

Penalty

Initial $1,625

General-duty citation text

40.1-51.1.(a), Code of Virginia: " Each employer shall furnish to each of
his employees employment and a place of
employment which are free from recognized hazards that causing or likely
to cause death of serious physical harm to
his employees."  Washington National Airport Metro Rail Subway Concourse,
North End Terminal; this employer had
an employee exposed to a caught in hazard due to having the employee ride
the escalator with a step missing.  The
employee was new and this procedure of riding on the escalator was
something he had never done before. The
employee was not trained on where to stand and what to look for during an
inspection of  this escalator.  While riding
the escalator the employees  right foot was caught between the step and
the combplate at the top of the escalator.  The
employee lost his right foot.
ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD, AMONG OTHERS, TO CORRECT THIS
HAZARD IS: To train the employee on the proper working practices in and
around this escalator.  Also to follow the
ANSI Standards A17.1-1988 on Escalators.