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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 303273312 - Ceramic Cooling Tower Corporation
Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health
Site Address:
Ceramic Cooling Tower Corporation
25100 Chalk Point Road
Aquasco, MD 20608
Mailing Address:
1100 Northway Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76131
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1711
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 06/08/2000
Planning Guide: Safety-Construction
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 09/20/2000
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100966613 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Current Violations | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $3,661 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,661 |
| Current Penalty | $1,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,500 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citation Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19260501 A02 | 06/29/2000 | 07/05/2000 | $600 | $1,387 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 02001A | Serious | 19260501 B04 I | 06/29/2000 | 07/05/2000 | $450 | $1,137 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 02001B | Serious | 19260502 D08 | 06/29/2000 | 07/05/2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 03001A | Serious | 19260503 A02 II | 06/29/2000 | 07/05/2000 | $450 | $1,137 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 03001B | Serious | 19260503 A02 III | 06/29/2000 | 07/05/2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 04001 | Other | 19260503 B01 | 06/29/2000 | 07/05/2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
Employee #1 was part of a four-man work crew that was in the process of removing deteriorated concrete beams. The beams were approximately 7-in. by 8-in. by 15-ft-long and were part of the support system for the "fill" section cells of a 400-ft-diameter by 400-ft-high, natural draft, cooling tower. This work was part of a rehabilitation project for the lower outer ring within the structural pre-cast concrete "radical arm bends" of the tower. This is the area where the hot water is pumped to the top of the approximately 56-ft-wide by 22-ft-deep heat transfer area. The water then drains down across the "fill" which continues to breakup the water into smaller and smaller particles. The "fill" material is supported by concrete beams and cross beams and wire meshing. The defective beams were being removed by raising them and placing 4-in. by 4-in. wood planks underneath them, and then flipping and rolling them on their side. Employees were exposed to inadequate support planking used for a walking surface and a lack of guarding of the various gaps and holes in the walking, working surface at the concrete beams and cross beams. In addition, no horizontal lifelines had been installed in the work area so that fall protection could not be maintained while moving with, and sifting the concrete beams. Full body harness had been issued but because of a lack of effective tie off anchorage points there was no means of providing effective fall protection. During the removal of one of the beams a support plank broke and the Employee #1 who was standing with one foot on the plank and the other on a structural concrete beam lost his balance and fell approximately 14 ft to the next lower level. Employee #1 was knocked unconscious during the fall, sustained bruised ribs, contusions and multiple abrasions. Employee #1 was treated for his injuries but was not hospitalized.
Keywords: BEAM, PPE, ABRASION, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, LOST BALANCE, UNGUARDED, CONTUSION
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 303273312 | Non Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Helpers, construction trades |