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

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:in that employees were exposed to: the hazard of being struck by or crushed by attempting to realign align the track with a backhoe. The backhoe was moving the bucket in an upward motion and made contact with the counter weights that were not secure with the required bolts. The counterweights became unhinged from the crane and falling on an employee. The American 100 ton, 7260 Series Crawler Crane was operated without the counter weights being secure with the required bolts. On or about June 20, 2005in Houston, TX an employee was killed when the counter weights fell on him. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard is to (1) follow the direction in the support or secure the boom against falling as specified by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.5 1968. (2) Follow the procedures in the American Crane owner's manual, American Crane Cooperation on installation of counterweights on crawler cranes 700 series ( PG 822 - PG 825). (3) Follow the company safety procedures on cranes to include inspection. DISCLAIMERS: 1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above. 2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3) The employer is responsible for selection and carrying out an appropriate abatement method.