OSHA Inspection: VELOTTA COMPANY

Issued

Jan 11, 2000

Abate by

Jan 24, 2000

Penalty

Initial $5,600 · Current $4,500 Reduced

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 employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by
material(s) suspended beneath
the loader bucket of the John Deere 410C Backhoe Loader.  On or about July
12, 1999
employee(s) were exposed to this hazard when a 30 foot long bundle of
reinforcing steel (rebar)
rods, weighing approximately 1,800 pounds, was precariously lifted by a
fiber sling suspended
from the open-throat hook of the John Deere 410C loader bucket.  The sling
was attached using
a vertical choker hitch so employees could "spin" the load.  No tag lines
were used to control
the suspended load.  Personnel were not required to stand clear of the
suspended load.  The
backhoe/loader operator did not maintain a view of the signal man and was
not aware of the
signal man's location during the lift.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to abate this hazard
are as follows:
Ensure that personnel using fiber slings are thoroughly instructed in, and
following the
safe practices stipulated in American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
B30.9-1991,
Slings, Section 9-4.5, Safe Operating Practices.  Instruction shall
provide as a minimum:
1.  Personnel shall stand clear of suspended loads.
2.  Twisting and kinking (spinning) of sling legs shall be avoided.
Ensure that operators are familiar with and implement the limitations
prescribed by the
manufacturer, John Deere, for lifting operations as outlined in the John
Deere 410 C
Backhoe/Loader Operator Manual, page 35-30.
1.  Do not allow any persons near the load.
2.  Know the location of all persons in the working area.
3.  Attach chain/sling to machine as shown.
4.  Attach a handline to load and make sure person holding it is away from
load.
Additional abatement information is required for this item.

Issued

Jan 11, 2000

Abate by

Jan 15, 2000

Penalty

Current $1,000

Issued

Jan 11, 2000

Abate by

Jan 15, 2000