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 were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees working in the Floor Department and in the paint spray area in the welding building: The employer does not ensure that monthly inspections of hoist chains, with signed and dated reports, are performed to detect excessive wear, twist, distortion of links and foreign matter that may be carried into the hoist mechanism. The chains are used to move frames, axles and floor sections for manufactured homes. Floor sections of the homes weight approximately 4,000 pounds. The carrier used to move the floor weights 1200 pounds. Employees are exposed to the hazard of being struck by falling loads in the event of hoist chain failure. This condition was most recently observed on June 8, 2006 and at times prior thereto, where employees were observed lifting manufactured home floors and carriers weighing 5,200 pounds with chains that had not been inspected since June 22, 2005. To abate this violation, the employer must ensure that monthly inspections of hoist chains, with signed and dated reports, are performed to detect excessive wear, twist, distorted links and foreign material that may be carried into the hoist mechanism. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must provide documentation that this violation has been abated within 15 calendar days of the date of this citation.