OSHA Inspection: PITTSBURGH INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS

Issued

Dec 19, 2006

Abate by

Dec 27, 2006

Penalty

Initial $4,900

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 crushing hazards:
(a) PIA Hanger floor area job site: On or about 11/07/06 personnel were
exposed
to crushing hazards, while positioned under the aircraft, when conducting
practical exercises for the weighing of the Cessna 310, Sabre Liner and Jet
Commander aircraft, also known as "swing the gear".  The aircraft landing
gear
crank handle was not stowed and locked.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement to
correct this
hazard is to develop specific procedures when  positioned under aircraft,
train personnel
in those procedures, establish the use of positive locking devices, and to
evaluate the
procedures on a periodic basis.