OSHA Inspection: FOX PROTECTIVE SERVICES, INC.

Issued

2003-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $4725.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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 was 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 struck by moving motor vehicles while
crossing active
traffic lanes:
a) during the performance of their assigned daily work activities, Security
Officers must cross active traffic lanes to access the ID check station
and the
security building.  This process was observed on or about October 9th and
17th,
2002 and December 16th, 2002 at all three Port of Tampa checkpoints manned
by Fox Protective Services.
Abatement Note(s):  Reasonable and adequate methods to abate this hazard
exist, and may
include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.  Engineering Controls. (i) Incorporation of overhead walkways or
tunnels
into new or
renovated checkpoint designs and construction, such as to eliminate the
need to cross active
traffic lanes. (ii) Installation of appropriate types of mirrors (such as
parabolic) at appropriate
heights and angles at the checkpoint and the security building to provide
frontal visibility to both
drivers of high cab vehicles and the security officer checking IDs.
Appropriate placement will
not cause significant glare and will reduce accumulation of dust/grime.
Mirrors may also be
installed to permit crossing employees to check for oncoming traffic
without entering or closely
approaching the lane. (iii) Additionally, installation of a barricade
between the security building
and vehicular traffic; demarcation of the security building with high
visibility paint, cones, or
stanchions; and/or, relocation of the security building so that it is not
as close to the traffic lane.
(iv) Communication to motorists of the potential of crossing employees by
the application of
crosswalk pavement markings according to MUTCD, Subpart 1A.05.
Maintenance of these
markings in proper condition is important to indicate crosswalk areas to
motorists, employees
and other pedestrians.  Drivers must be warned of the locations of
crosswalks and other hazards
where they are not normally evident.  Section 3B-18 MUTCD reads, "Since
non-intersectional
pedestrian crossings are generally unexpected by the motorist, warning
signs (Section 2C-31)
should be installed and adequate visibility provided by parking
prohibitions."  The traffic lanes
are clearly non-intersectional.  Additionally, MUTCD Section 2C-32
recommends the use of
pedestrian warning signs to "assist the vehicle operator in defining the
specific point of
crossing.
b. Administrative Controls. (i)  Prohibition of employees crossing in
front of any vehicles. (ii)
A requirement for the security officer checking IDs not to release
vehicles until the area in front
of a vehicle has been cleared. (iii)  Periodic inspection of the workplace
by the employer to
evaluate employee compliance with lane crossing work rules, with
particular
emphasis on
achieving eye contact and proper communication before proceeding, and the
implementation of
effective progressive disciplinary action to correct deficiencies.  This
was a crucial factor in the
incident which occurred at the Pindola Point Road checkpoint on October
7th, 2002.

Issued

2003-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-02-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4500.00