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

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 from chemical burns and/or being struck by the load from a deficient load chain breaking in one of the CM Lodestar 13.5' Electric Chain Hoists: On August 22, 2003, the load chain broke on CM Lodestar Hoist #2, causing the basket (weighing approximately 375 pounds), spreader bar (weighing approximately 100 pounds) and approximately 3600 pounds of steel parts to drop onto one side of a dip tank on the phosphate coating line within one to two feet of the hoist operator. Some of the dip tanks on this line contain phosphoric acid and citric acid. Feasible means to abate is hazard include but are not limited to the following: a) Inspecting and maintaining of the hoist in accordance with ASME B30.16-2003, "Overhead Hoists (Underhung)" and the manufacturer's recommendations: Periodic inspection of the hoist should be conducted on a semi-annual basis or quarterly basis, as required by ASME B30.16- 2.1.1(b)(2) for heavy hoist service and severe hoist service, respectively. Previous inspections of the hoists have indicated a high exposure to wear, deterioration, and malfunction, and performance problems are evidenced by two previous incidents of the load chain breaking and one instance of the failure of an internal hoist component. b) Measuring the load chain to determine if stretching has occurred in accordance with ASME B30.16-2.5.1(c) and B30.16-2.5.2(a), as follows: (1) select an unworn, unstretched length of the chain (e.g. at the slack end); (2) suspend the chain vertically under tension and, using a caliper-type gauge, measure the outside length of any convenient number of links approximately 12 in. to 24 in. (305 mm to 610 mm) overall; (3) measure the same number of links in the used sections and calculate the percentage increase in length; (4) if the used chain for powered hoists is 1.5longer than the unused chain, replace the chain. c) Making sure that the load chain is kept adequately lubricated, especially dring hot weather, according to the manufacturer's instructions, which state: Do not allow the chain to run dry....Normally, weekly lubrication and cleaning is satisfactory, but under hot and dirty conditions, it may be necessary to clean the chain at least once a day and lubricate it several times between cleaning. d) Inspecting and replacing parts that are "mating parts" to the load chain such as the lift wheel and the chain guides, as required by ASME B30.16-2.5.2(f). On August 22, 2003, the load chain broke close to the top. This was also true on the two previous chain breaks. Once the lift wheels and chain guides are worn, they in turn wear the load chain. This wear would take place primarily at the top of the load chain. e) Having chain repair done by the chain manufacturer, as required by ASME B30.16-2.5.2(a). f) Having a qualified person determine the need for a load test following repair operations, as required by ASME B30.16-2.2.2(b)(2)(a).y0 L