OSHA Inspection: FLUID CRANE & CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Issued

Aug 26, 1999

Abate by

Aug 31, 1999

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 conditions listed below:
a)  Struck by swinging bridle - While attempting to rig up the bridle and
pendant lines
to the boom of the American AERO OM-1600 Pedestal Crane, S/N 95796,
located in the
equipment yard corner of Hwy. 90 and Ross Rd., New Iberia, La., an "eye"
termination
was formed in the end of the winch cable (of the main hoist drum) using
two Crosby
wire rope clips that were hand tightened with a box end wrench. When
stringing out the
bridle, the "eye" termination pulled out of the wire rope clips causing
the bridle to swing
back towards the gantry.  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement
method to correct this hazard is to follow recommended rigging practices
of using (6)
wire rope clips for 1 1/8 inch diameter winch cable and to use a torque
wrench to assure
the nuts of the U-Bolt clips are tightened to 225 ft. lbs.
This condition occurred on or about 7/27/99.