Text For Citation: 03 Item/Group: 001 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: 1)On or about August 24, 2000, employees were exposed to crushing injuries associated with the movement, staging, and stabilization of electrical enclosures in that while utilizing a pry bar as a jack to adjust the electrical enclosure, the employer did not ensure that the employee was keep clear from the area of potential danger in the event the electrical enclosure would become unstable, while in the process of being fitted with slings and/or slip from the rigging blocks due to not being adequately cribbed, secured, braced, or otherwise stabilized to prevent tip-over onto the employee. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct the hazards include: 1)Follow manufactures recommendations regarding stabilization of the enclosure by strapping to a pallet, using lifting points for movement and positioning, to determine the safest method for moving them to avoid employee exposure to crushing injuries from load shifts, tip-over, and inadequate bracing/cribbing. 2)Follow manufactures recommendations concerning clear distances to keep employees from enclosures being moved, or awaiting movement.