OSHA Inspection: THE JUDY COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Oct 6, 1998

Abate by

Oct 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,050 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 injuries due to unexpected movement of platforms and
winches/winch system
components breaking:
a) Stoney Creek River Project, Johnstown PA 15901; Two Drilling Rig
Platforms; Fulton Trailer Winches T3205 and T3700;
The following deficiencies existed with the use of the Fulton trailer
winches and
the winch system components:
1! The winches used to raise and lower the drilling rig platforms were not
designed to be human or equipment hoists.
2! The winches/winch system components had been damaged and malfunctioned:
(a) In early July, the locking dog/pawl on the T3205 winch on the
left front leg of the big drilling rig broke/shattered and was
replaced.  Later in July, the replaced locking dog/pawl on the
T3205 winch on the left front leg of the big drilling rig bent and
needed replaced.
(b) On 9-8-98, a 1/4" cable on the T3700 winch on the right rear
leg of the big drilling rig broke.
(c) On 9-18-98, a cable on the T3700 winch of the left rear leg of
the big drilling rig came off the pulleys on the upper leg.
3! U-bolt style Crosby wire rope clips were used at the cable
terminations on
each leg of the drilling platforms that were moved with personnel on them.
4! Improper size cable was used on the T3205 and T3700 winches (1/4" cable
had been used and at time of inspection 5/16" cable was used).
Manufacturers
design calls for 7/32" cable to be used on these winches.
5! The Fulton trailer winch owners manuals were not reviewed with the
employees prior to using the winches.
6! The warnings "Not For Human Movement" stamped on the side of the T3205
winches were covered by metal plates.  At the time of inspection the
plates were
covering the warnings on the T3205 winches used on the small drilling rig.
The
T3205 winches originally used on the big drilling rig had metal plates
covering
the warnings.

Issued

Oct 6, 1998

Abate by

Oct 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,500