Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: FALLING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 falling and injuries associated with swing falls. a)On or about April 4, 2007, and at times theretofore and thereafter, Cells B and C, employees were exposed to fall hazards and injuries from swing falls because the employer did not insure that the welding booms used as fall protection anchorage connectors were strong enough to support at least 5000 pounds. Bolted connections on welding boom bases were missing, and boom locks were damaged. b)On or about April 4, 2007, Horizontal lifelines used in Cells C and H were not evaluated in accordance with acceptable engineering practices to determine that the system would perform as intended, did not undergo qualification testing, and no calculations performed and certified by a qualified person could be provided. The wire rope clips used in the installation of the lifelines were malleable clips, not forged, and had no proof test. Two of three clips were installed backwards on the lifeline at Cell C. One formed eye at the horizontal lifeline at Cell C was formed without use of a thimble. One end of the wire rope was not seized, whipped or spliced and was unraveling. One acceptable method of abatement, among others, is to evaluate fall protection systems in accordance with ANSI Z359.1-1992 Section 3. Requirements, Section 4.Qualification Testing, Section 5. Marking and Instructions, Section 6. Inspection, Maintenance and Storage of Equipment, and Section 7. Equipment, Selection, Rigging, Use and Training. 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 selecting and carrying out an appropriate method of abatement. *** Certification and Documentation of Abatement Required ***