OSHA Inspection: SUMMIT TOWER SERVICES INC,

Issued

Aug 27, 1998

Abate by

Sep 1, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 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:
In that on or before 6/4/1998, employees were exposed to the hazards of
falling, lift system
failure dropping employees, swinging into, getting caught by, and/or
striking the
telecommunications tower under construction when they were lifted aloft
individually and in
groups of 2, 3, and 4 employees to an approximate height of 175 feet.
a. Four employees where lifted "christmas tree fashion" connected by
shackles to one another's
synthetic webbing slings and one employee was attached to the ball on the
hoist line.
b. No rated load capacities were displayed on the hoist apparatus utilized
to
lift employees on
the line.
c. Pre-lift inspections to include team meetings and trial lifts were not
conducted.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
the hazardous
condition may include:
1. Utilize approved crane baskets, where possible, with the use of the
crane in accordance with
29 CFR 1926.550(g). Conduct pre-lift inspections, meetings, and trial
lifts to assure all systems,
controls, and safety devices are activated and functioning properly.
2. Utilize approved safety climbing devices and fall arrest systems while
climbing the tower.
3. Abatement should include not riding the hoist. Gin Poles are not an
integral part of the
structure (tower) as they are raised-moved constantly during the erection
process. Stability is
contingent on attachments/slings secured and the location of the
attachment.

Issued

Aug 27, 1998

Abate by

Sep 1, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

Issued

Aug 27, 1998

Abate by

Sep 1, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,400

Issued

Aug 27, 1998

Abate by

Sep 1, 1998

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced