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 the hazard of being struck by steel plates that employees were picking up with a below-the-hook, plate clamp, lifting device which had not been tested by a qualified person to determine the rated load, was not provided with manufacturer's markings and weight of load to be picked, was not inspected that day and employees had not been adequately trained in its use. Burn Table Area: On or about August 4, 2006 a) Employees were not protected from the hazard of being struck by and/or crushed by the suspended load (steel plate) in that they were lifting approximately 4,900 pound piece of steel with a 2 ton plate clamp. b) Employees were provided with a plate clamp lifting device that was not marked with the manufacturer's name, serial number, lifter weight and rated load. Also employees were not aware of the weight of the load they were attempting to lift. c) The plate clamp lifting device had not been adequately inspected by an operator or other designated employee with records of daily and weekly inspections in accordance with ANSI B30.20 1985, section 20-1.3. d) The below-the-hook plate clamp lifting device was being operated by employees who were not designated and had not been instructed in the following: the application of the plate clamp lifter to the load and adjustments of the lifts; any special operation or precautions; condition of the load itself required for operation of the plate clamp lifter such as balance, degree of order of stacked loads and load thickness and weight; procedures for storage of plate clamp lifter to protect lift from damage; the rated load of the plate clamp lifting device not be exceeded nor the capacity of the hoisting equipment be exceeded by the combined weight of the load, the plate clamp lifting device and rigging. The employer did not ensure that the operator demonstrated the ability to operate the plate clamp before assuming responsibility of using the plate clamp in accordance with ANSI B30.20 1985, section 20-1.6. e) The employer did not ensure that all employees using the plate clamp lifting device were qualified in that they had not been trained in the safe operating practices, such as but not limited to, the operation of loads in excess of its rated load, assuring that the load is correctly distributed, care that there is not sudden acceleration or deceleration of the load, care that the load or lifter does not contact any obstruction, and care that the operator does not carry the load over themselves or any other employee, in accordance with ANSI B30.20 1985, Section 20-1.6.4. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards is to ensure that the below-the-hook plate lifting devices, and employees who are operating the device and the plate clamps, are in accordance ANSI B30.20 1985, Sections 20-1.2 Markings and Construction, 20-1.3. Inspection, 20-1.4 testing, 20-1.6 Maintenance, and 20-1.6 Operation,. "Abatement Documentation is Required"