Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 002 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.140(c)(18): (18) Personal fall protection systems must be inspected before initial use during each work shift for mildew, wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components must be removed from service. The employer is failing to protect the employees by having equipment inspected prior to employee use. This was most recently documented at Valmont Industries located at 1600 E 29th Avenue in Columbus, NE 68601 on June 18, 2019 in building #3. Inspections for fall protection harness's and connecting devices are not being done consistently, specific to the harness being used by manufactured serial number, or other identifying marks prior to use. Maintenance personnel were performing inspections, but the harness(s) were not uniquely identified on the sign off sheet. On the production floor an employee was observed wearing fall protection equipment but had not performed an inspection prior to use. Failure to inspect and identify deficiencies could lead to fall hazards.