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

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 of likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck or crushed by suspended loads: (a) Fabrication Department - Employees using the 2-ton Dayton and the 1-ton Little Mule monorail underhung crane on the same bridge, and the half ton Budget monorail underhung crane and manual chain fall hoist on the same bridge without either bridge being marked with the rated capacity. These cranes lift between a few hundred pounds to several tons of signs and the operators are not trained to conduct frequent inspections of limit switches, excessive wear, hooks, and chains. Periodic inspections of these cranes are not conducted and there has not been established a preventative maintenance program, on or about February 2, 1999. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to train crane operators on when and how to conduct frequent inspections, have a qualified engineer evaluate the monorail systems and all building and other support structures for capacity, establish periodic inspections of critical parts and a preventative maintenance program that is recommended by the hoist manufacturers.