OSHA Inspection: CHARLES C. LEWIS CO.

Issued

Apr 28, 2004

Abate by

May 3, 2004

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,500 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 being struck
by the hoist of an underslung crane when it
fell from the bridge of the crane to the floor below.  One feasible and
acceptable method to correct this hazard is to
develop a frequent inspection program meeting the guidelines listed by the
manufacturer of the crane.
A) LOCATION: OUTSIDE WAREHOUSE OFFICE
THE AMERICAN MONORAIL CRANE, USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A YALE ELECTRIC
HOIST, WAS NOT
PROPERLY INSPECTED ON A FREQUENT AND REGULAR BASIS TO ENSURE THAT DEFECTS
THAT
COULD AND DID OCCUR ON THE CRANE BETWEEN THE YEARLY INSPECTION OF THE
CRANE, WERE
IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO LIFTS BEING MADE.  A "DUTCHMEN" SAFETY
PIN WAS
MISSING ON A SWIVEL NUT USED FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE LOAD BAR ON THE
TROLLEY.  WITHOUT
THE SAFETY PIN IN PLACE, THE SWIVEL NUT OVER TIME WAS ALLOWED TO UNSCREW
ITSELF FROM
THE LOAD AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE THE ENTIRE HOIST TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE
TROLLEY AND
FALL TO THE GROUND BELOW.  THE MANUFACTURES INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULE
REQUIRES THAT TROLLEYS BE INSPECTED EVERY MONTH AND TROLLEY WHEEL BEARINGS
BE
GREASED EVERY 3 MONTHS.