Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: FALLING

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 were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fall hazards: a.On or about June 25, 2006, at the WTVY News tower worksite, the employer did not follow recognized industry practices during the removal of tower antenna equipment and the hoisting of personnel that included: 1. The rigging, hoist line and slings that were used to hoist personnel were installed at a 5:1 safety factor,rather than at the required 10:1 safety factor; 2. Personnel riding the hoisting line used a positioning device connected to a shackle above the hook, rather than a lanyard placed directly in the hook; 3. Personnel were on the hoist line while another load was suspended from the same hoist unit; 4. An anti-two-block device was not installed on the personnel hoisting line. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to follow the guidelines published in the National Association of Tower Erectors' (NATE) Accident Prevention, Safety and Health Program Guide. ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.TION