OSHA Brake System Requirement

[MikeMerrysGirl]

Is the following OSHA requirement still valid?  29 CFR 1910.266 (f)(7)(H) states that each machine shall be equipped with a secondary braking system, such as an emergency brake or a parking brake, which shall be effective in stopping the machine and maintaining parking performance, regardless of the direction of travel or whether the engine is running. Therefore, only two separate independent brake systems are required on machines.

I read that this requirement is the employer's responsibility.  Why would one man hire another to harvest wood for him knowing that the skidder (provided by the employer) his employee was going to use (on steep hills) had no working emergency brake?  Even though prior to running the skidder, the employee was told that the emergency brake on the skidder did NOT work, the responsibility for any accident should fall on the shoulders of the employer.  Such a waste of life.  Such an unnecessary death...  Your thoughts on this?     

[grassfed]

Since the federal government feels the need to become involved in my business I never hire anyone and only work alone. Such a waste of opportunity. 

[Mark K]

Im with Grassfed. I dont want the government sticking there nose in my business. I rarely use my emergency parking brake on my TF C7D. During the winter I use my maxi-lock  because the cables tend to freeze. I also make sure there is something between me and the skidder when working slopes like a tree or stump. Not  trying to start something here but if a saftey system like the emergency brake are not working the employee can refuse to run it. Should of been red flagged but most of us cut corners because things have been tight the past couple years. 

[Cedarman]

After college my first job involved working with high pressure, (up to 10,000 psi), shaped charges, blasting caps, radioactive material, H2S gas, driving extended hours etc.  We had a strong safety program. I was empowered by my employer to stop our operation if I felt conditions were not safe, such as a crane operator carrying loads over us.  This was in the oil and gas drilling industry.
In my own operation, my employees are empowered to stop what they are doing if they feel that an unsafe condition exists.  I may show them why it is still safe when it is, but I thank them for alerting me.  When it is unsafe, it is made safe. Doesn't mean we are perfect.  I have been OSHAed 3 times.  Got dinged about $400 each time.  One was for not having the plate on the grinder within 1/8" of the grinding wheel and not knowing about doing a ring test for the grinding wheel. (Had never changed one.)
This is my attitude toward safety.

[bill m]

I think if more people would use common sense the government would not have to get involved. To many people put the dollar ahead of personal safety.

[sawguy21]

Some years ago I drove a hydro vac equipped flat deck for a less than stellar employer. I could not afford to be picky at the time, I needed to eat and pay rent which were inconvenient. Anyhoo, after white knuckling a load over the Rogers Pass in eastern BC I ran the truck into the shop to have a look at the brakes.The boss asked what I wads doing and replied "Oh, the adjusters have been frozen for years, don't worry about it". Hey pal, it might be your truck but it's my sorry butt in the seat. Either it's safe to drive or it's parked. I didn't last long with them.

[jocco]

My understanding is if you work alone these rules do't apply




uote author=MikeMerrysGirl link=topic=63324.msg939830#msg939830 date=1358414976]
Is the following OSHA requirement still valid?  29 CFR 1910.266 (f)(7)(H) states that each machine shall be equipped with a secondary braking system, such as an emergency brake or a parking brake, which shall be effective in stopping the machine and maintaining parking performance, regardless of the direction of travel or whether the engine is running. Therefore, only two separate independent brake systems are required on machines.

I read that this requirement is the employer's responsibility.  Why would one man hire another to harvest wood for him knowing that the skidder (provided by the employer) his employee was going to use (on steep hills) had no working emergency brake?  Even though prior to running the skidder, the employee was told that the emergency brake on the skidder did NOT work, the responsibility for any accident should fall on the shoulders of the employer.  Such a waste of life.  Such an unnecessary death...  Your thoughts on this?   
[/quote]