Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that: employees were exposed to being struck by load and or the lifting device, because the crane lifting device was not load tested and rated prior to initial use. (a) The below-the-hook lifting device (Spreader Beam Assembly) used to rig the 46,000 to 54,000 pound boats for lifting out of the water, did not have the rated load visibly marked on it or identification affixed listing the manufacturers name and address, serial number and lifting device weight. This exposed the crane operator, rigger and other employees assisting in the lift to a struck by and crushing hazard, in-that the lifting capacity of the lifting device is unknown and can be exceeded, causing failure to occur and the load being dropped. (b) The lifting device (Spreader Beam Assembly) used to rig the 46,000 - 54,000 pound boats for lifting out of the water, was not load tested prior to initial use. This exposed employees to a struck by and crushing hazard from a falling load, in-that the lifting capacity of the lifting device is unknown and can be exceeded causing failure to occur during lifting operations. One feasible means of abatement would be to comply with American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.20-1999 Below-The-Hook Lifting Devices, section 20-1.4.2 Markings, which requires the marking of the rated load capacity on all lifting devices, and section 20-1.4.2 Rated Load Test, that requires a rated load test on all lifting devices prior to initial use. Certification, and documentation/evidence of abatement is required. Certification of abatement is required by 29 CFR Part 1903 and is to be submitted within ten (10) calendar days after the abatement date.ment