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 hazard of falling approximately 40 feet to the concrete floor below while cleaning the boiler, which could result in death: a. CO-GENERATION PLANT, WEST SIDE OF BOILER: Employee was cleaning the boiler suspended approximately 40 feet above the floor by the use of a suspension system including but not limited to, a model #9003D-5 body harness, suspension ropes and two 6" tackle blocks. The tackle blocks were not provided with a crosby or mckissick hook with a PL latch attached, nor secured with the bolt, nut and cotter pin provided. The tackle blocks could roll out of the "D" ring on the body harness or the eye splice of the top wire choker suspension rope causing the employee to fall to the floor below. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to follow the manufactures tackle block use and maintenance information, this states that only a crosby or mckissick hook with a PL latch attached, and secured with the bolt, nut and cotter pin provided, may be used for any personnel hoisting.