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: (a) the hazards of falls in excess of 300 feet (91.4m) at a tower site located off Hwy. 1050, 2 miles east of Garner State Park in Real county, where an employee fell on or about 09- 12-02. On that date and prior to at other locations, employees were being lifted using an electric cat head (friction) hoist: Deficiencies included, but were not limited to the following: 1. The employer permitted employees to ride on a poly dacron rope line that was wrapped around a cat head hoist which was connected near the base of the tower. The cat head was being used as a friction winch and was not approved for lifting people. The cat head winch was also lifting coax cable at the same time in addition to the victim. The load line, which was 1/2 inch poly dacron rope had a breaking strength of 540 pounds, almost exactly the load of 535 pounds imposed. One means of abatement among others, is to: Ensure safe work practices identified in CPL 2- 1.36, Interim Inspection Procedures During Communication Tower Construction Activities, 03/26/2002, are complied with at all times.