OSHA Inspection: M. D. VACUUM EQUIPMENT CO.

Issued

Oct 8, 1998

Abate by

Oct 15, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 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 hazard of being crushed by shifting or falling loads
in that the employer
failed to enforce recognized safe work practices:
(a)  Employer failed to ensure that hoist rope and hook was free of load
and/or other
impediments in that on or about August 14, 1998, at the Shultz Oil Lease
on the Double P
Ranch, an employee was standing between two sections of an oil well pump
jack walking beam
and the pitman that he had disengaged from the hoist hook.  The derrick
truck driver started
driving forward before ensuring that the hoist hook could not become
entangled in/on the load.
As the truck pulled forward the beam was caught by the hoist hook and was
pulled off the flat-
bed trailer.  Employee was knocked to the ground and crushed by the 3500
pound
beam.
Among other feasible and useful methods of abatement, one method of
abatement would be to
ensure that hoist lines are wound back on winch drum completely clearing
the line and hook of
the load or other impediments and to ensure that all employees stand clear
of loads.
(b) Employer failed to use safe rigging design practices in that rigging
used to secure
hoist line to chain and hook and derrick guy wires to truck bed were
attached by knotting the
wire rope hoist line through a link in the chain or by use of insufficient
and improperly installed
wire rope clips.
Among other feasible and useful methods of abatement, one method of
abatement would be to
attach wire rope to fittings or anchors in accordance with a recognized
rigging manual such as
but not limited to "Construction Safety Association, Rigging Manual."

Issued

Oct 8, 1998

Abate by

Oct 15, 1998

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $225 Reduced

Issued

Oct 8, 1998

Abate by

Oct 15, 1998

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $225 Reduced

Issued

Oct 8, 1998

Abate by

Oct 15, 1998