OSHA Inspection: AUSTIN ELECTRIC, INC.

Issued

May 20, 2004

Abate by

May 25, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer failed to
provide a place of employment which was free of recognized hazards that
were likely to
cause death or serious harm to employees:
(a) On or about April 26, 2004, at the above address job site, an employee
of LaGrange
Crane operated a crane to lift a Austin Electric employee in a man basket
to an approximate
height of 60-70 feet. The crane was not equipped with a positive acting
device to prevent
contact between the load block or overhaul ball and the boom tip
(anti-two-blocking device),
or by a system to deactivate the hosting action before damage occurs in
the event of a two-
blocking situation (two block damage prevention feature). The employee in
the man basket
was thereby exposed the hazards associated with falls of approximately
60-70 feet.
A feasible means of abatement would be to provide a positive acting device
which prevents
contact between the load block or overhaul ball and boom tip
(anti-two-blocking device), or a
system to deactivate the hositing action before damage occurs in the event
of a two-blocking
situation (two block damage prevention feature) in accordance with the
crane manufacturer's
requirements and ASME/ANSI B30.5 1989.