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 employmnent 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 struck-by/caught-between hazards and related crush injuries from falling loads that were suspended by below the hook lifting devices and cranes: A.) Custom Engineering Company/McClelland Ave. Erie, PA --- Plant #2 --- On or about May 31, 2007: Personnel were performing welding operations on the Pedestal Subassembly. One end of the Pedestal Subassembly was suspended at a 45 degree angle from a jib crane by the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device (RENFROE Model SCP/A-S/N 0101) while other end rested on wood cribbing. An employee's leg was crushed by the Pedestal Subassembly when it detached from the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device (RENFROE Model SCP/A-S/N 0101). At the time of the incident, the employee had to perform the welding work in close proximity to the elevated Pedestal Subassembly. The elevated portion of the Pedestal Subassembly was not cribbed, blocked, supported and/or braced to prevent it from falling onto personnel in the event failures with the temporary braces, plate dog, Insul Hook, and/or jib crane. (Reference: Renfroe Manual and ASME B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices Section 20-1.4.3) Abatement Note: Among Other Methods, Feasible and Acceptable means to correct the conditions noted above include instituting polices and procedures for work activities (e.g. fabrication work, welding work) that places the employees body in close proximity to suspended loads. These policies and procedures could include: (1.) Performing the work on a positioning table where the piece can be secured in place. (2.) Utilizing Cribbing, Blocking, Bracing, Props, Supports, etc. (3.) Having a qualified inspector examine all the welds for temporary braces and other false-work. The qualified inspector should also examine any welds utilized to secure the work to the positioning table. ______________________ B.) Custom Engineering Company/McClelland Ave. Erie, PA --- Plant #2/On or about May 31, 2007: Personnel were performing welding operations on the Pedestal Subassembly. One end of the Pedestal Subassembly was suspended at a 45 degree angle from a jib crane by the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device (RENFROE Model SCP/A-S/N 0101) while other end rested on wood cribbing. The Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device was not utilized in accordance with the Manufactures Manual and ASME B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices in that: (1.) A pre-use inspection was not conducted on the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device. (2.) The Plate Dog's gripping jaws were clamped off to a section of the temporary brace that was uneven and fowled from previous welding activities.(3.) The spaces between the circular structures in the Plate Dog's Jaws contained dirt, grease, and scale. (4.) In order to further tighten the Plate Dog, the Plate Dog's tightening bar was struck with a piece of wood. On other occasions, personnel have utilized hammers to strike the bar in order to tighten the Plate Dog. Abatement Note: Among Other Methods, Feasible and Acceptable means to correct the conditions noted above include: (1.) Developing and instituting a training class developing and instituting a formal training class for employees on the Plate Dogs and other below the hook lifting devices. AND (2.) Comply with the applicable sections noted in the Plate Dog manufactures manual. ____________________________________ C.) Custom Engineering Company/McClelland Ave. Erie, PA --- Plant #2: On or about May 31, 2007, Personnel were performing welding operations on the Pedestal Subassembly. One end of the Pedestal Subassembly was suspended at a 45 degree angle from a jib crane by the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device (RENFROE Model SCP/A-S/N 0101) while other end rested on wood cribbing. As of May 31, 2007, Personnel had not been trained on the operation, use, inspection, and limitation information contained in the Plate Dog Clamp's manufactures manual and the training criteria noted in ASME B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices. (Reference: Renfroe Manual and ASME B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices Section 20-1.4.2) Abatement Note: Among Other Methods, Feasible and Acceptable means to correct the conditions noted above include developing and instituting a formal training class for employees on the Plate Dogs and other below the hook lifting devices. The training class should cover the information noted in the manufacturer's manual including the exploded parts diagram and the effects of heat generated by welding operations on the plate dog. In addition, the training class should cover at a minimum the training criteria noted in ASME B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices Section 20-1.4.2