UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 an employee worked in the shadow of a bundle of granite slabs while a forklift set the bundle onto an A-frame support: (a) Nidi Tec Inc, at 591 E 56th Avenue, Denver, CO: On and preceding 1/28/16, Nidi Tec Inc 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 an employee worked in the shadow of a bundle of granite slabs while a forklift set the bundle onto an A-frame support. An employee operated a Hyster model S120XL powered industrial truck to transport bundles of granite slabs from the slab yard to A-frame storage racks in the warehouse. A bundle of five slabs, weighing approximately 6,500 pounds, was suspended from a single hook at the end of a forklift attachment using wire rope slings. The A-frame racks were positioned perpendicular to and butted to the exterior wall. An employee entered the "shadow" of the slabs to remove the wire rope slings from the hook. This condition exposed the employee to a crushing hazard. Abatement Note: Among other methods, feasible abatement methods include: 1. Avoid manual lifting of stone slabs where possible. Use mechanical aids (slab dollies, suction lifts, scissor clamps, etc.). Lift only loads that can be safely handled. 2. Use the proper material handling equipment, such as an overhead crane with appropriate approved attachments, or a forklift truck equipped with appropriate and approved boom attachments and lifting devices, or other equipment to assist with the unloading and loading of slabs. 3. Place the clamp on the secure area of the stone when moving and/or lifting a slab with a scissor clamp. Placing the clamp over a weak vein can cause the stone to break and fall. Clamps should be used only on grade "A" marble and other solid stones without flaws, open seams, or cracks. 4. Inspect all slabs for fractures or other potential causes of collapse prior to rigging. 5. Assure that a suction cup is rated to lift these types of finishes when moving unpolished slabs with a suction cup lifter. 6. Do not use scissor clamps on equipment operating on uneven surfaces. 7. Never stand under, near or in the fall shadow of a slab when moving it with an overhead crane. Use a tag line to control slabs being supported or moved while suspended from a crane cable to prevent them from falling or toppling. 8. Always walk at the end of the slab. Never walk in the "fall shadow" of a slab. The "fall shadow" is the area on both sides of the slab where the slab could land and topple if it were to fall. 9. Assure that dollies used to move stone slabs are designed to support the weight of the slab. 10. Have employees walk on either end of the dolly to support the slab. 11. Raise the load only as far as necessary to clear the road surface or obstacles when using powered industrial trucks. 12. Only handle loads within the rated capacity of the truck when using powered industrial trucks. 13. Remove the supports and bracing from the stone slab bundles inside shipping/storage containers using a sequence that does not allow for the other slabs to shift or collapse.