OSHA Inspection: PUBLIC STEEL INC

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Oct 7, 1997

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 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 condition(s) listed below:
515 N Philadelphia, Amarillo, TX., on or about August 13, 1997, it was
determined that
employees are required to lift heavy loads of extruded steel tubing and
other types of steel
products using overhead underhung cranes.  The employer has 5 cranes, 4
inside and 1 outside.
Cranes are marked with manufactures load limits and are; 1 ton (1 inside),
2 ton (3 inside) and
5 ton (1 outside); however, it could not be determined when or if a load
rate test, as required
by ANSI B30.11.1973, section 11-2.2 - Testing, had been performed since
cranes were installed,
reported to be over 20 years ago, because records were not available.
Additionally, it could not
be determined if "frequent" and "periodic" inspections of the cranes were
being performed as
required in section 11-2.1 - Inspection, because written, dated and signed
inspection reports and
records were not being maintained as prescribed in section 11-2.1.5 -
Inspection Records.  As
evidenced by the severe distortion of several hooks, the safety of the
equipment is questionable.
The only reported maintenance was when a crane did not work properly, then
it
was repaired;
however, those records were not available. This exposed employees to the
hazards associated
with a catastrophic failure of an overhead underhung crane while under
load and injuries
including but not limited to contusions, concussions, bone fractures and
death.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to
seek outside
professional help for the certification and weight testing of installed
cranes.

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Oct 7, 1997

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 condition(s) listed below:
515 N Philadelphia, Amarillo, TX., on or about August 13, 1997, it was
determined that
employees are required to lift heavy loads of extruded steel tubing and
other types of steel
products using overhead underhung cranes.  The employer has 5 cranes in
use, 4 inside and 1
outside.  Cranes are marked with manufacturers load limits of; 1 ton (1
inside), 2 ton (3 inside)
and 5 ton (1 outside).  It is apparent that required "frequent" and
"periodic" inspection of hooks
as outlined in ASME B30.10.1993, section 10-1.2 - Inspection, Testing and
Maintenance, are
not being accomplished, because of following deficiencies:
1) Crane #1, located in the southeast end on the south side of the south
section of the two
section building is rated by the manufacture as 2 ton and is marked
accordingly.  The hook
showed evidence of increased throat opening, an indication of picking up
loads which exceeded
its weight limitations, thereby over stressing the hook.  Additionally,
the hook was designed for
use with a safety clip; however, the clip was missing.  Loads are being
lifted using slings and
chains and would require a safety clip to be installed.
2) Crane #2, located in the southeast end on the north side of the south
section of the two section
building is rated by the manufacture as 1 ton and is marked accordingly.
The hook showed
evidence of increased throat opening, an indication of picking up loads
which exceeded its
weight limitations, thereby over stressing the hook.  Additionally, the
hook was designed for use
with a safety clip; however, the clip was missing.  Loads are being lifted
using slings and chains
and would require a safety clip to be installed.
3) Crane #3, located in the southeast end on the south side of the north
section of the two section
building is rated by the manufacture as 2 ton and is marked accordingly.
The
hook showed
evidence of increased throat opening, an indication of picking up loads
which exceeded its
weight limitations, thereby over stressing the hook.  Additionally, the
hook was designed for use
with a safety clip; however, the clip was missing.  Loads are being lifted
using slings and chains
and would require a safety clip to be installed.
4) Crane #4, located in the southeast end on the north side of the north
section of the two section
building is rated by the manufacture as 2 ton and is marked accordingly.
The hook was
designed for use with a safety clip; however, with the exception of a very
small piece of hinge
section, the clip was missing.  Loads are being lifted using slings and
chains and would require
a safety clip to be installed.
5) Crane #5, located outside, northeast of the two section building is
rated by the manufacture
as 5 ton and is marked accordingly.  The hook was designed for use with a
safety clip; however,
the clip was missing.  Loads are being lifted using slings and chains and
would require a safety
clip to be installed.
This exposed employees to the hazards of being struck by a dropped load
due to hook failure
or disengagement of a sling/chain, including but not limited to
contusions, concussions, bone
fractures and death.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to
establish an
inspection, testing and maintenance program as outlined in the applicable
ANSI/ASME
Standards.

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 16, 1997

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 30, 1997

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 24, 1997

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 11, 1997

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Oct 22, 1997

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 23, 1997

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 16, 1997

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 24, 1997

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 23, 1997

Issued

Sep 4, 1997

Abate by

Sep 16, 1997