OSHA Inspection: BROWN EQUIPMENT & MACHINE CO., INC.

Issued

Jul 5, 2005

Abate by

Jul 8, 2005

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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 falling loads/crane parts:
(a) Facility:  On or about May 24, 2005,employees were working with a 5
ton Wright top
running bridge, single girder, underhung hoist (overhead crane, with a 5
ton Jet hoist) that had
the following problems:
*The company did not conduct frequent and periodic inspections of the
overhead crane.
*The company did not maintain inspection records of the overhead crane.
*The bridge was not fitted with bumpers.
*There were no bridge truck wheel sweeps at the front of the leading
wheels of the end trucks.
*The company did not establish a preventative maintenance program for the
crane.
*The load was not secured before it was lifted more than a few inches.
*There were not double flange wheels on the end trucks.  According to the
manufacturer the
crane was built with double flange wheels on the end trucks.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to correct this
hazard is to develop
a preventive maintenance program in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications (and
ANSI B30.17-2003), conduct frequent and periodic inspections with written
reports, install
bridge bumpers, double flange wheels and rail sweeps.  In addition, loads
need to be secured
after they are lifted more than a few inches.  An alternative would be to
remove the crane from
the facility.