OSHA Inspection: FORT WASHINGTON EXPO ASSOCIATES

Issued

Jul 1, 1998

Abate by

Aug 3, 1998

Penalty

Initial $35,000 · Current $15,000 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 multiple injuries while required and
permitted to use defective self-propelled elevating work platforms:
a)  B Hall - A JLG Sizzor lift, Model 15S, Serial Number
9704939, was used to its full height of 15 feet to lift an
employee running electrical cords.  The lift was defective in
that the spindle assembly broke, causing the lift to topple,
on or about 1/8/98.
b)  A Hall - A JLG Sizzor lift, Model 6M20N, Serial Number
0209005495, had visible damage to its tires, on or about
1/27/98.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is:
1.  Modifications to the work platforms (welding, repair, or
replacement of load-bearing parts) must only be made with
certification by a responsible authority that the machine is
at least as safe as originally manufactured, as per the
Service and Maintenance Manual.
2.  As required by the Operating Manual and the ANSI standard,
daily inspections shall be made before the start of each
workday, as well as weekly inspections, functional checks, and
periodic inspections.  If serious defects are noted, they
shall be repaired prior to use.
3.  All manuals shall be available, and governing ANSI
regulations (ANSI A92.3, American National Standard for
Elevating Work Platforms, 1973, 1979, or 1990) at the facility
and available to employees.

Issued

Jul 1, 1998

Abate by

Aug 3, 1998

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
The employer did not furnish employmnent 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
untrained employees were exposed to multiple injuries while
required and permitted to use self-propelled elevating work
platforms:
a)  Fort Washington Expo Center - Employees were required and
permitted to operate various self-propelled elevated work
platforms such as a JLG Sizzor lift, Model 15S, serial number
9704939, without having the required training, as referenced
in the Operating Manual and applicable ANSI standards.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is:
1.  A training program shall be instituted, allowing only
qualified personnel, "who have demonstrated a proper
understanding of the correct use and maintenance of the
machine", to operate and maintain elevated work platforms, as
required in the Operating manual and the applicable ANSI
standards.  The training should include a comprehensive study
and understanding of the Operators Manual and supporting
manuals.
2.  All manuals and governing ANSI regulations (ANSI A92.3,
American National Standard for Elevating Work Platforms, 1973,
1979, or 1990) shall be maintained at the facility and
available to employees.