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 falling loads: (a)Mechanical repair shop, wheel alignment rack and hydraulic lift; The lift had been modified by welding the rack to it but there was no information available indicating this had been performed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, written consent or in keeping with American Welding Society codes. Subsequently the safe load capacity is unknown. In addition the safety pin could not be inserted in the lift safety bar since the pin insert hole was hidden from access beneath the floor when the alignment/lift combination was used in the lowered position. Also the use of "bottle" jacks to raise automobile tires off the alignment rack by placement of the jacks on a "U" channel constituted an unsafe practice. Loose and wobbly stabilizers (pedestals) on the alignment rack increased the instability of automobile loads supported by the lift. (1-8-95) Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard are: 1.Discontinue the practice of lifting the alignment rack high above the floor and perform alignments with the rack sitting on the floor. 2.Replace the current alignment rack with a new one. 3.Evaluate job procedures and establish safe work practices such as more stable methods of lifting tires above the rack rather than current jack usage.