Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 struck by hazards: Beth Painter Farm, near Edmonson, Texas: Employees were attempting to lift a well base that weighed approximately 300 pounds with a double winch line with a hook and a sand line and hook. The hooks were defective in that the safety latches they were manufactured with were missing. This resulted in the loops of the sling slipping off the hook during the lift. The base spun around off balance and struck an employee who later died from his injuries. Among other methods, one feasible method of abatement would be to ensure that all hooks equipped with safety latches from the manufacturer are inspected and maintained in operable condition.