UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Text For Citation: 01 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: a) Battery Charging Area - On or about October 5, 2018, employees were exposed to crushing and struck-by hazards while the hoist operator was changing 1200 pound batteries on powered industrial trucks using a 3-Ton ACCOLIFT 2130060 Hoist and did not ensure persons were clear of a suspended load. b) Battery Charging Area - On or about October 5, 2018, employees were exposed to crushing and struck-by hazards created while changing 1200 pound batteries on powered industrial trucks using a 3-Ton ACCOLIFT 2130060 Hoist to lift the load vertically with side pull. c) Battery Charging Area - On or about October 5, 2018, employees were exposed to crushing, struck-by, and electrical hazards created when changing 1200 pound pallet jack batteries using a 3-Ton ACCOLIFT 2130060 Hoist with I beam trolley, on which repairs were not made, to include but not limited to a damaged hoist switch on which the stop push button was missing, preventing the operator from stopping the ascent or decent of a load when necessary. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement to correct this hazard would be to follow the guidelines and requirements established in American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.16 - 2017, Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists and ASME B30.20-2018 to include, but not limited to: 1) Establish and implement policies and procedures that are compliant with ASME B30.20, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, Section 1.4.4, paragraph (p) in that loads shall be guided in such a manner as to avoid endangering hands or other body parts as the load is moved, or if it drops. 2) Establish and implement policies and procedures that are compliant with ASME B30.16, Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists, Section 16-3.3.2, paragraph (k) which states that hoists shall be used to lift loads vertically without side pull except when specifically authorized by the manufacturer(s) or a qualified person for the equipment and a qualified person for the supporting structure who have determined that specific conditions outlined in (k)(1-4) are met. 3) Establish and implement policies and procedures that are compliant with ASME B30.20, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, Section 1.4.4, paragraph (l) which states the lifter shall not be used for side pulls or sliding the load unless specifically authorized by a qualified person. 4) Perform operator training in accordance with Section 3 of ASME B30.16, Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists, to ensure operator training is provided to ensure proper operation of the equipment in compliance with instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer. 5) Perform operator training in accordance with Section 1.4 of ASME B30.20, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, to ensure below-the-hook lifting devices are operated only by trained, designated persons who meet the qualifications in ASME B30.20 Section 1.4.2. 6) Implement and conduct equipment Inspections and Testing in accordance with Section 2 of ASME B30.16, Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists and Section 1-3 of ASME B30.20, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, to identify any deficiencies and determine what repairs are necessary. 7) Establish a program and conduct required training of maintenance personnel, maintenance, and repairs as recommended by the manufacturer in accordance with Section 4 of ASME B30.16, Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists and Section 1.3.9 of ASME B30.20, Below the Hook Lifting Devices.