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 to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to tipping of machinery due to employees being required to move and assemble the equipment while using hydraulic toe jacks and machine moving skates. a) On or about 2/2/01, employees were using hydraulic toe jacks and machine moving skates to move portions of a milling machine in order to relocate and assemble the equipment. On that date, at least one toe jack was not functional and the employer did not ensure that a functional replacement was obtained or that the malfunctioning jack was repaired by a person authorized to make such repairs. One employee was crushed due to the tower of the milling machine tipping over while the toe jacks were in use. Among other methods, several feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are: a) Hiring/employing professional riggers to move heavy equipment b) Assuring that equipment being used to relocate/move heavy equipment is in good working order c) Training employees on the hazards associated with lifting and moving heavy equipment and in the use of all equipment rented prior to requiring employees to use such equipment. d) Assuring that employees providing maintenance on any and all equipment are adequately trained to perform such maintenance work