OSHA Inspection: STEWART-WATTLEY MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT CO.

Issued

Oct 19, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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
the hazards of electrical shock and/or burns from exposure to 480 Volts
AC.  Bare energized electrical parts.  Safety training instructions and
procedures were not adequate to assure that power to circuits was
disconnected at proper times during the process of using extension
cords equipped with bare quick-disconnect clamps (alligator clips) on
one end to temporarily connect power to and diconnect it from bare
terminal points on newly manufactured cranes for the purpose fo
functionally testing the cranes prior to shipment of the cranes to
customers.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the incorporation of a disconnect lock-out
procedure wherein only a well trained and competent person has control
of turning on the electric power.
Essential elements of the lockout procedure would include:
1) Open and lock out the main power disconnect for the machine and
bleed off any residual energy;
2) Provide each potentially exposed employee working in the area with
separate lock and key to be placed on the lockout means;
3) Establish a written lockout policy, including procedures to be
followed and training for all affected employees, both maintenance
and operational crews;
4) Periodically evaluate the program and strickly enforce all of its
provisions.

Issued

Oct 19, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $240