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 the hazards of falling from heights up to 375 feet while being raised or lowered by a hoist that was improperly installed and operated. The hoist was attached to timbers laying on the ground, with an open topped 55 gallon drum filled with water sitting on the timbers as a counterweight. Employees and material (scaffold boards and brackets) were raised and/or lowered together. There were no records kept for inspections conducted on the hoist, on or about August 16, 1991. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to secure the hoisting machine in position to prevent movement, shifting or dislodgement; to hoist materials separately from personnel; and to maintain records on file at each job location for the duration of the job. In addition to the above recommendations, it is recommended that the American National Standards Institute guidelines for Rope-Guided and Nonguided Worker's Hoists - Safety Requirements, (ANSI A10.22 90), be followed, noting that these requirements are restricted to use in special situations, such as work in chimneys.