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

29 CFR 1910.268(b)(6): Support structures. No employee, or any material or equipment, may be supported or permitted to be supported on any portion of a pole structure, platform, ladder, walkway or other elevated structure or aerial device unless the employer ensures that the support structure is first inspected by a competent person and it is determined to be adequately strong, in good working condition and properly secured in place. a) On or about December 20, 2024, the employer failed to ensure that a telecommunications pole was inspected by a competent person to determine whether it was adequately strong, in good working condition, and properly secured in place prior to allowing an employee to climb and perform a line transfer. The employer permitted the employee to be supported on the pole without verifying its structural integrity. As a result, the employee was exposed to crushed-by hazards when the pole broke at the base and fell while the employee was still attached.