OSHA Inspection: LEWIS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, L.L.C.

Issued

Oct 10, 2001

Abate by

Oct 24, 2001

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

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)At the Pechanga Entertainment Complex construction project, employees
working on and
around the Champion Personnel/Material Hoists were exposed to the hazard
of being
struck by and/or caught between the travelling counterweight(s) or other
moving parts
of a Personnel/Material Hoist, potentially causing a serious and/or fatal
injury.
The employer failed to ensure that workers locked out and tagged out the
electrical disconnects
and unhooked the counterweights while work was being performed within the
base tower
enclosure on the hoist tower.  One feasible and acceptable method to
correct this hazard is to
follow the Installation Manual for the Champ equipment Company Rack and
Pinion Drive
Personnel/Material Hoists Models US-6002-2R and US-60-2R wherein it
requires on page 2-2:
"Do not move car(s) when workers are in or on the tower.  Everyone should
be in or on the
car(s) before the car(s) is/are moved; Operators should be in sight and in
Speaking Range at all
times;  No one should be in or on the tower with counterweight(s)
connected and car(s)
operable.  Switch off and lock-out the disconnects while unhooking the
counterweight(s).
Workers should use their own padlocks and carry the keys.  If it is
absolutely necessary to be
in the base enclosure or in/on the tower, the disconnects should be
switched off and padlocked."