Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A Hazard: CRUSHING

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: (a) death and/or crushing injuries caused by the collapse of structural steel columns which were not adequately secured or braced. On or about September 26, 1997, this employer failed to ensure that a steel column was adequately secured to prevent displacement from erection stresses. While ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazard rests with the employer, given its superior knowledge of the workplace, feasible and acceptable methods to the correct this hazard, among others, are: (1) anchor all columns by 4 bolts with wrench tightened washers and nuts on each bolt; (2) use temporary bracing which is not removed until the stability of the structure is secured with adequate tie-in to other columns and beams; and/or (3) use guy wires to ensure stability until structure is secured from displacement. Abatement Note:Abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may included, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other records.