OSHA Inspection: RUEL SMITH TRANSPORTATION, INC.

Issued

Jun 4, 1996

Abate by

Jul 7, 1996

Penalty

Initial $3,500

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 hazard of being struck by falling pipe:
At the Trans Texas Gas Corporation pipeyard in Laredo, Texas, an employee
was
exposed to the hazard of being struck by a falling pipe during unloading
of pipe
trucks.  Employees are exposed to being struck by pipes rolling off of
stripping
which has not been equipped with chocks or blocks to prevent such
roll-offs of
pipes when the tie-down tension is released.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is:
a.Development of a written safety program regarding the safe handling of
pipes and tubular materials.
b.Conducting training of drivers and other material handlers to inspect and
evaluate pipes and other tubular materials for safe loading on trailers, to
include:
1.Stripping installed with chocks or blocks to prevent
rolloffs.
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2.Condition of synthetics straps/belts, chains, etc., used for
tie-down.
3.Recognition of improperly stripped or pyramiding loads of
pipes.
c.Establish and enforce a strict policy of not accepting for transport any
load
which has not been prepared for safe loading or unloading at its ultimate
destination.
d.Establish and implement a program of unannounced safety inspections to
determine whether employees are adhering to such a program.  Maintain
records of such unannounced inspections.
IN THE ALTERNATIVE:
29 CFR 1910.176(b):  Storage of material shall not create a hazard.  Bags,
containers, bundles,
etc., stored in tiers shall be stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited
in height so that they are
stable and secure against sliding or collapses:
At the pipeyard of Trans Texas Gas Corporation in Laredo, Texas, an
employee
was exposed to the hazard of being struck by a pipe rolling off of the
stripping.The stripping had not been equipped with chocks or blocks to
prevent pipes from
rolling off upon release of the tension of the tie-down straps in
preparation for
unloading of the pipes.ing