OSHA Inspection: CENTRAL ILLINOIS PUBLIC SERVICE, NEWTON POWER

Issued

Apr 28, 1997

Abate by

May 2, 1997

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

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 riding in a passenger elevator while the elevator car was
falling over 200 feet
and the safety mechanisms did not function to control the descent of the
elevator which had
not been maintained, inspected and tested for safe operation as frequently
as required under
ANSI A-17.1-1993.
Specific safety requirements that were not in compliance for the electric
passenger elevator
are listed below along with general methods of abatement applicable in
these circumstances:
ANSI A-17.1-1993
204.1(e)- Top Emergency exits-
An emergency exit with a cover was not provided in the top of the Unit #1
passenger
elevator in that the hatch opening in the top of the car was not provided
with any type of
cover whatsoever and remained fully open during operation of the elevator
with passengers in
it.On 11-15-96- Because there was no cover, the heavy counterweight chain
fell through the
opening at some time when the elevator lost power and fell to the ground
floor, striking the
passengers inside.
Abatement:  Install a hatchway cover that opens outward and capable of
being opened only
from the top of the car; the cover shall be capable of withstanding a load
of 300 pounds on
any square area two (2) feet on a side and 100 pounds applied at any point.
204.7(a)-Illumination of Cars
Emergency lights in Unit #1 did not come on at all when the normal
lighting
power failed.
Abatement:  Ensure through routine inspection and testing that emergency
lighting service is
functional and automatically comes on immediately after normal lighting
power fails.
207.3- Capacity and Data Plates
Elevator was not provided with a capacity plate and an accurate data plate
permanently
affixed to the elevator.
Abatement: Provide a capacity plate containing rated load in pounds as
specified in 207.3(b)
in a conspicuous place inside the elevator car of Unit #1.
Attach a data plate to the car crosshead of Unit #1 containing the correct
weight of the
complete car, rated load and speed, wire rope data as required under
212.2a, and
manufacturer's name and year manufactured.
211.1- Car Emergency Signaling Devices
The automatic elevator in Unit #1 was not provided with an audible
emergency alarm system
or an operable two-way conversation system connected to a standby or
emergency power
system in case of initial power failure of the elevator or other passenger
emergency while
riding the elevator.
Abatement: Ensure that some type of in-car emergency signaling device is
installed and
functional for emergency use through routine inspections of the elevator.
212.2(b)-On Rope Data Tag
A metal data tag was not securely attached to one of the wire rope
fastenings describing the
diameter, manufacturer's rated breaking strength, grade of material used,
month and year
ropes were installed, whether rope was preformed or non-preformed,
construction
classification, person who installed ropes, manufacturer of the rope.
Abatement:  Install a new tag containing the above required information
upon replacement of
the wire ropes.
1001.1-Routine Inspections and Tests of Passenger Electric Elevators
Routine inspection and tests of passenger elevators were not made at
intervals no longer than
six months..  Most recent inspections and testing on both Unit#1 and Unit
#2 elevators up to
the day of the elevator fall were conducted in 1994 when the new control
systems were
installed on both the elevators.
Abatement: Establish  semi-annual inspection and testing program following
the requirements
as listed under Section 1001.2 for both the Unit #1 and Unit #2 passenger
elevators.
DISCLAIMER:
1.  You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2.  The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3.  The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement
method.