OSHA Inspection: MIDWEST COMMUNICATION TOWERS, LLC

Issued

Dec 13, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2003

Penalty

Initial $1 · Current $1

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 a fall hazard:
a.On or about August 21, 2002, at the WOGK radio tower, during the
greasing of
the elevated guy wires on the radio tower, fall hazards were created by
the lack
of an anti-two block on the hoist line, the lack of a safety latch on the
hook used
to lift personnel, the lack of a boatswain chair, the lack of markings
such as load
rating, drum size, rope size, rope speed, and power supplied on the truck
mounted drum hoist, and the lack of a wire rope written, dated and signed
inspection report.
There was a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard:
The first useful method of abatement is to eliminate the need to suspend
personnel
by using a mechanical greasing device to grease the guy wires; hence,
eliminating
the need to have an employee on the guy wires. If this can not be done,
then the
following abatement methods are useful to correct the hazard:
Purchase and install an anti-two block on the hoist line. Purchase and
install a
hook that has a safety latch on it when lifting personnel. Purchase and
install a
boatswain chair suspension system. Purchase and use a new drum hoist system
or have an engineer determine and certify the truck mounted drum hoist to
indicate the load rating, drum size, rope size, rope speed, and power
supplied.
Develop and maintain a written, dated and signed inspection program for the
condition of the wire rope used in the hoist system.
ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.TION