Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: STRUCK BY

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment 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 hazards. a)Excavation Site, Bowsertown Rd, Manteo - On or about 01/15/2008, the following conditions occurred: employees were exposed to a struck by hazard when the load, a 6530 pound steel sheet, was lifted as an overhead lift. The lift was made using 3/8 inch grade 70 chain with a load rating of 6600 pounds (when used in a straight lift). The Working Load Limit (WLL) was not reduced to account for the method used to make the rigging connection. The rigging connection resulted in a "choke hitch" of zero degrees, that reduced the WLL to 49of the original (or 3234 pounds), 3296 pounds less than the minimum required for the lift. Two employees were struck and killed when the chain broke and the steel sheet fell. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among others, one feasible and acceptable method of abating this violation is to: follow the chain manufacturer's warnings as well as adherence to the directions provided in ASME and OSHA documents, and the Crosby group inc. training materials. The manufacturer warns against attempting lifts that exceed the load ratings of the components. The ASME, OSHA, and Crosby documents provide directives and data on how to compute and/or adjust for diminished load ratings for a variety of angles and/or conditions. Additionally, the employer could choose to use rigging that is much heavier duty, and approved for heavier loads. Reference(s): ASME B30.9-2003: Safety standards for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings; Chapter 9-1, Para. 9-1.5.5 and 9-1.5.6, and Fig.2 NACM, Welded Steel Chain Specifications; Para 10.0 Warning Cooper Hand Tools/Campbell Manufacturer's Recommendations; Product detail sheets OSHA: Guidance on Safe Sling Use, Fig 2 b)Excavation Site, Bowsertown Rd, Manteo - On or about 01/15/2008, the following conditions occurred: an employee was repeatedly exposed to a struck by hazard when the load, a 6530 pound steel sheet, was lifted as an overhead lift. The lift was made using 3/8 inch grade 70 chain with a load rating of 6600 pounds (when used in a straight lift). The Working Load Limit (WLL) was not reduced to account for the method used to make the rigging connection. The rigging connection resulted in a "choke hitch" of zero degrees, that reduced the WLL to 49of the original (or 3234 pounds), 3296 pounds less than the minimum required for the lift. The employee guided and held 4 to 5 of the steel sheets against the trench box while the load was suspended, each time the trench box was moved. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among others, one feasible and acceptable method of abating this violation is to: follow the chain manufacturer's warnings as well as adherence to the directions provided in ASME and OSHA documents, and the Crosby group inc. training materials. The manufacturer warns against attempting lifts that exceed the load ratings of the components. The ASME, OSHA, and Crosby documents provide data on how to compute and/or adjust for diminished load ratings for a variety of angles and/or conditions. Additionally, the employer could choose to use rigging that is much heavier duty, and approved for heavier loads. Reference(s): ASME B30.9-2003: Safety standards for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings; Chapter 9-1, Para. 9-1.5.5 and 9-1.5.6, and Fig.2 NACM, Welded Steel Chain Specifications; Para 10.0 Warning Cooper Hand Tools/Campbell Manufacturer's Recommendations; Product detail sheets OSHA: Guidance on Safe Sling Use, Fig 2 OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE:29 CFR 1926.550(a)(19): All employees were not kept clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads. a)Excavation Site, Bowsertown Rd, Manteo - On or about 01/15/2008, the following conditions occurred: employees were not kept clear of suspended loads. Employees were exposed to a struck by hazard when the load, a 6530 pound steel sheet, was lifted as an overhead lift. The lift was made using 3/8 inch grade 70 chain with a load rating of 6600 pounds (when used in a straight lift). The Working Load Limit (WLL) was not reduced to account for the method used to make the rigging connection. The rigging connection resulted in a "choke hitch" of zero degrees, that reduced the WLL to 49of the original (or 3234 pounds), 3296 pounds less than the minimum required for the lift. Two employees were struck and killed when the chain broke and the steel sheet fell. b)Excavation Site, Bowsertown Rd, Manteo - On or about 01/15/2008, the following conditions occurred: employees were not kept clear of suspended loads. An employee was repeatedly exposed to a struck by hazard when the load, a 6530 pound steel sheet, was lifted as an overhead lift. The lift was made using 3/8 inch grade 70 chain with a load rating of 6600 pounds (when used in a straight lift). The Working Load Limit (WLL) was not reduced to account for the method used to make the rigging connection. The rigging connection resulted in a "choke hitch" of zero degrees, that reduced the WLL to 49of the original (or 3234 pounds), 3296 pounds less than the minimum required for the lift.red