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

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 falls of up to 135 feet to the water below caused by a structural collapse. a)Job Site: Queensboro Bridge, New York, NY: The employer failed to ensure that a work platform being installed to the underside of the bridge was lifted without first removing the wood planking (weight: approximately 1,175 pounds). Design drawing notes specify the removal of the planking before lifting; The lift was made on September 29, 1997. b)Job Site: The employer failed to ensure that prior to installing platforms to the underside of the bridge that radio communicated signals were understood by all participants. The lift was performed on September 29, 1997. ABATEMENT: a)Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard would be to review the platform lifting procedures before every lift. This would ensure compliance with the platform design installation instructions; as per engineering drawings and plans. b)Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to conduct a pre-lift meeting before each lift. ABATEMENT VERIFICATION IS REQUIRED THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00, AS PER 29 CFR 1903.19.,