OSHA Inspection: CENTRAL ILLINOIS PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

Issued

Jan 10, 1989

Abate by

Feb 13, 1989

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $560

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:
At the crib house, workers were not warned and were subjected to
being struck and crushed by the free-standing stopgate.  The lifting
chain falls were removed.  The employer did not block, or otherwise
stabilize and secure the stopgate against falling.  The stopgate
stands 6 ft. 9 inches high and is 11 ft. 4 inches long.  The width is
10 inches, and the weight is reported to be 2,000 lbs.  The stopgate
could be caused to fall if a rock, surface uneveness, or debris were
under the bottom sufficient enough to raise the 10 inch wide edge by
1.5 inches. A horizontal force of 150 lbs., applied at the top of the
stopgate at a right angle to the 11 ft. 4 inches ling side, would
also cause a fall.
Among other methods, one feasible nd acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is:
1) Established written procedures and throroughly train employees when
non-routine tasks are performed.
2) Construct a second monorail which would run perpendicular to the
first bringing the stopgates out through the tunnel.  With the first
monorail, bring the stopgate over to the opening.  Attach a chain
hoist to the first shackle and take up the load.  Using the second
monorail, release the lead chain hoist from the first monorail.
Swing the stopgate parallel with the tunnel.  Attach the second chain
hoist to the rear shackle and take up the load using the second
monorail.  Release the rear chain hoist from the first monorail. Move
the stopgate out of the tunnel.  Bring up the crane with an attached
spreader or lifting bridle.  Attach the crane bridle to the stopgate
and take up the weight, using the crane. Move the stopgate away to a
storage location.
3) Ensure that a fully competent signalman is assigned to work with the
crane whenever the operator cannot clearly see the hook and load at
all times, or the machine is being backed up or moved and the
operator cannot see all parts of the machine and its path of travel.
4) Provide a double connection for the spotgate.  When the stopgate is
raised, leave the lifting monorail hoists attached holding the load.
Bring up the crane with an attached holding the load.  Bring up the
crane with an attached spreader or lifting bridles.  Attach the crane
bridle to the stopgate and take up the weight using the crane.Move
the stopgate away to a storage location.
DISCLAIMER:
1) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Dec 9, 1988

Abate by

Jan 12, 1989