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 the hazards of being struck by/crushed by falling bundles of steel trusses. At the construction site at Kent School in Kent, CT on or about the 21st of September, a bundle of steel trusses were hoisted using a web sling and a rough terrain forklift truck placing the sling in contact with the sharp edges of the steel trusses. No padding was used to prevent damage to the sling from the sharp edges. The sling failed, allowing the bundle of steel trusses to fall onto an employee. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to comply with the American National Mechanical Engineer B30.9 - 2006, Slings, of the Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings. 1) Follow Section 9-5.10.4 "Rigging Practices" (d) which states that slings in contact with edges, corners, protusions, or abrasive surfaces shall be protected with a material of sufficient strength, thickness, and construction to prevent damage. 2) Comply with the sling manufacturer's Warning Label on sling which states: "Web slings shall always be protected from being cut by sharp corners, sharp edges, protrusions or abrasive surfaces". 3) Instruct employees on the dangers of rigging and loading a sling in contact with sharp edges without protection to prevent damage.