OSHA Inspection: HAMILTON PACKING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

May 22, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

May 30, 2006

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

May 30, 2006

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

Jun 30, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

May 22, 2006

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

Jun 9, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $400 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 of serious physical harm to employees in
that employees were
exposed to the hazard of being crushed from falling carcasses due to the
failure of an improperly
maintained and unrated rail system:
(a) Throughout the facility: Employees operate the rail system in areas
such as but not limited
to the cooler room where the rail switches are not operating properly.
(b) Throughout the facility: Employees operate the rail system and
switches in which the rated
capacity has not been identified.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement for
instance (a) would
be to repair existing manual switches so that they operate properly, or
replace the manual
switches with appropriately rated automatic switches.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement for
instance (b) would
be to have a certified professional engineer evaluate the rail system and
identify the appropriate
capacity rating.y

Issued

May 17, 2006

Abate by

Jun 30, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $400 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 of serious physical harm to employees in
that employees were
exposed to the hazard of crushing from above due to inadequate use,
rigging, maintenance, and
inspections of the overhead hoists:
(a) Kill floor:  Multiple deficiencies were not identified and corrected
through proper and
documented periodic inspections which would have revealed hazards such as
but not limited to
visible damage on the wooden beam supporting the 1 ton hoist, visibility
of load ratings for both
hoists, hook deficiencies, and u-bolt and wire rope damage on the 1,500 lb
hoist.
(b) Kill floor: Noo keeper latch on the hook of the 1 ton hoist.
(c) Kill floor:  The supporting structure for the 1 ton crane could not be
shown to withstand the
loads and forces imposed by the hoist for the rated load.
(d) Kill floor:  The rated load for each hoist was not clearly legible
from the ground or the
floor.
(e) Kill floor:  Wire rope clips (u-bolts) at hook on 1,500 lb hoist were
damaged and not
replaced.
(f) Kill floor: Wire rope clips (u-bolts) at the hook on 1,500 lb hoist
were not attached properly,
in that one of the two u-bolts were not saddling the dead end of the rope.
(g) Kill floor: Wire rope at the hook attachment on 1,500 lb hoist did not
have any extra rope
on the dead end, and the wire rope was complete frayed after the wire clip
(u-bolt).
(h) Kill floor:  The 1,500 lb hoist was not equipped with an upper over
travel protection device
to prevent damage to the wire rope, clips, and hook assembly.
(i) Kill floor:  The 1 ton hoist was loaded beyond the rated capacity when
lifting up to 2,500 lb
bulls, as well as not knowing the weight of some animals which would make
it impossible to
ensure the operation is within the rated capacity.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement would
be to follow the
practices listed in the recognized industry standard ASME B30.16-1998 for
Overhead Hoists,
sections 16-1 through 16-3.gh