OSHA Inspection: CUSTOM ENGINEERING COMPANY

Issued

Aug 21, 2007

Abate by

Oct 9, 2007

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employmnent 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 struck-by/caught-between hazards and related crush
injuries from falling loads
that were suspended by below the hook lifting devices and cranes:
A.) Custom Engineering Company/McClelland Ave. Erie, PA --- Plant #2 ---
On or
about May 31, 2007:  Personnel were performing welding operations on the
Pedestal
Subassembly.  One end of the Pedestal Subassembly was suspended at a 45
degree angle
from a jib crane by the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device (RENFROE Model
SCP/A-S/N
0101) while other end rested on wood cribbing.  An employee's leg was
crushed by the
Pedestal Subassembly when it detached from the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting
Device
(RENFROE Model SCP/A-S/N 0101).  At the time of the incident, the employee
had
to
perform the welding work in close proximity to the elevated Pedestal
Subassembly.  The
elevated portion of the Pedestal Subassembly was not cribbed, blocked,
supported and/or
braced to prevent it from falling onto personnel in the event failures
with the temporary
braces, plate dog, Insul Hook, and/or jib crane.
(Reference: Renfroe Manual and ASME B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices
Section
20-1.4.3)
Abatement Note:
Among Other Methods, Feasible and Acceptable means to correct the
conditions noted
above include instituting polices and procedures for work activities (e.g.
fabrication
work, welding work) that places the employees body in close proximity to
suspended
loads.  These policies and procedures could include:
(1.) Performing the work on a positioning table where the piece can be
secured in place.
(2.) Utilizing Cribbing, Blocking, Bracing, Props, Supports, etc.
(3.) Having a qualified inspector examine all the welds for temporary
braces and other
false-work.  The qualified inspector should also examine any welds
utilized to secure the
work to the positioning table.
______________________
B.) Custom Engineering Company/McClelland Ave. Erie, PA --- Plant #2/On or
about May 31, 2007:  Personnel were performing welding operations on the
Pedestal
Subassembly.  One end of the Pedestal Subassembly was suspended at a 45
degree angle
from a jib crane by the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device (RENFROE Model
SCP/A-S/N
0101) while other end rested on wood cribbing.  The Plate Dog Clamp
Lifting Device
was not utilized in accordance with the Manufactures Manual and ASME
B30.20 Below
the Hook Lifting Devices in that:
(1.) A pre-use inspection was not conducted on the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting
Device.
(2.) The Plate Dog's gripping jaws were clamped off to a section of the
temporary brace that was uneven and fowled from previous welding
activities.(3.) The spaces between the circular structures in the Plate
Dog's Jaws contained
dirt, grease, and scale.
(4.) In order to further tighten the Plate Dog, the Plate Dog's tightening
bar was
struck with a piece of wood.  On other occasions, personnel have utilized
hammers to strike the bar in order to tighten the Plate Dog.
Abatement Note:
Among Other Methods, Feasible and Acceptable means to correct the
conditions noted
above include:
(1.) Developing and instituting a training class developing and
instituting a formal
training class for employees on the Plate Dogs and other below the hook
lifting devices.
AND
(2.) Comply with the applicable sections noted in the Plate Dog
manufactures manual.
____________________________________
C.) Custom Engineering Company/McClelland Ave. Erie, PA --- Plant #2:  On
or
about May 31, 2007, Personnel were performing welding operations on the
Pedestal
Subassembly.  One end of the Pedestal Subassembly was suspended at a 45
degree angle
from a jib crane by the Plate Dog Clamp Lifting Device (RENFROE Model
SCP/A-S/N
0101) while other end rested on wood cribbing.  As of May 31, 2007,
Personnel had not
been trained on the operation, use, inspection, and limitation information
contained in
the Plate Dog Clamp's manufactures manual and the training criteria noted
in ASME
B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices.
(Reference:  Renfroe Manual and ASME B30.20 Below the Hook Lifting Devices
Section
20-1.4.2)
Abatement Note:
Among Other Methods, Feasible and Acceptable means to correct the
conditions noted
above include developing and instituting a formal training class for
employees on the
Plate Dogs and other below the hook lifting devices.  The training class
should cover the
information noted in the manufacturer's manual including the exploded
parts diagram and
the effects of heat generated by welding operations on the plate dog.  In
addition, the
training class should cover at a minimum the training criteria noted in
ASME B30.20
Below the Hook Lifting Devices Section 20-1.4.2

Issued

Aug 21, 2007

Abate by

Oct 9, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $770 Reduced

Issued

Aug 21, 2007

Abate by

Oct 9, 2007

Issued

Aug 21, 2007

Abate by

Oct 9, 2007

Issued

Aug 21, 2007

Abate by

Oct 9, 2007

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $580 Reduced

Issued

Aug 21, 2007

Abate by

Oct 9, 2007