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

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 swing fall hazards while using self retracting lifelines in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer's instructions: (a)Menard, Inc. Distribution Center in Eau Claire, WI: Employees were exposed to swing fall hazards resulting from the use of self retracting lifelines in a manner contrary to the manufacturer's instructions for use and hazard warnings. Employees had entered pallet bays of a racking system to release stuck pallets in a manner in which the unit was not anchored directly above the work area so as to reduce a swing fall hazard. (1)Building 6:A 11' self retracting lifeline and harness was used to enter the pallet bays of a racking system from the elevated platform of order selector in order to gain access to a pallet. (2)Building 5a:A 11' self retracting lifeline was used to enter the pallet bays of a racking system in order to gain access to a pallet while anchored to an outside horizontal beam. Abatement Notes: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to follow the manufacturer's instructions for use and appropriate hazard warnings which state "Anchor unit as directly above work area as possible to reduce swing fall hazard" and "Avoid working at more than 30 degrees from the vertical. A fall from more than 30 in. from vertical will produce a swing effect which could cause injury or death as a result of striking an obstruction". Abatement certification and documentation required.