OSHA Inspection: COOPER T. SMITH STEVEDORING

Issued

Nov 13, 2001

Abate by

Dec 13, 2001

Penalty

Initial $7,000

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 following condition(s):
For the period of time up to and including 01 Oct 01, the employees were
performing
maintenance activities on a large clamshell bucket aboard the #515 crane
barge. The clamshell
was positioned on its side and in the open position, while disconnected
from the crane while
maintenance was being conducted. The clamshell was not effectively blocked
to prevent
movement, which exposed employees to the hazards and injuries related to
being crushed by the
clamshell.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
would be to properly block the clamshell so it could not tip or close
while
maintenance is being
conducted.