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

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment 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 crushing hazard. The exposure was probable in that the lack of a communications system between the workers under the bridge and the designated signalman created a situation where the signalman was not aware of the location of the workers under the bridge and exposed them to the hazard of the load being lowered on them or the load shifting in the slings.( Ref: ANSI B30.5, section 5-3.3, paragraph 5-3.3.1). a)On or about 11/02/01, the following conditions occurred: jobsite - the designated signalman was not in a position on the bridge, where hand signals and/or voice communication between the demolition workers and the signalman could be seen or clearly understood. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard was to establish signals that were visible, discernable and audible at all times. No movement of the load should have been performed until it was clear the workers under the bridge were kept clear of the suspended load.