OSHA Inspection: U-HAUL COMPANY OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE & VERMONT

Issued

Mar 7, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,400 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 internal injuries, fractures, lacerations, and death due
to unsafe winch
operation:
Worksite - In the following instances employees were exposed to hazards
created by
unsafe winch operation:
a)On or about January 10, 2000, an employee was crushed to death between
two
U-Haul box-trailers when the Warn Industrial winch was unexpectedly
energized.
b)On or about January 13, 2000, an employee was standing within one foot
of the
wire rope during trailer winching.
c)On or about January 10, 2000, a Warn Industrial winch containing a
defective
wire rope was utilized to move U-Haul box-trailers.  The wire rope
contained
several kinks and a broken strand.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is
to isolate the energy source to the winch before permitting employees to
go between trailers or
other equipment that is connected to the winch, instruct employees to
operate the winch from
ground level and at a safe distance from the wire rope, positively
connect, strap, or binder the
trailers before working in front of or under them, and replace defective
winch cables.  These
methods should be instituted and enforced as part of a winch training
program.

Issued

Mar 7, 2000

Abate by

May 1, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Mar 7, 2000

Abate by

Mar 13, 2000

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced