OSHA Inspection: O'BRIEN WIRE PRODUCTS OF TEXAS INC.

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

May 20, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,504 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer
does not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recog
nized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical har
m to employees in that employees were exposed to falling from a fiberglass ladde
r. This violation was observed on November 22, 2010, when a Werner extension lad
der in the rear fabrication area, near the Hydraw machine, possessed dented rung
s and bent anti-skid pads. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other procedures, one feasible
and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is for the employer to com
ply with the requirements detailed in the American National Standard Institute (
ANSI) Safety Standards for Ladders-Portable Reinforced Plastic-Safety Requiremen
ts, ANSI-ASC A14.5-2007, Paragraphs 9.4.1 and 9.4.2. which state ..."the ladder
shall be inspected periodically." "Where structural damage or other hazardous de
fect
is found, the ladder shall be taken out of service." "Broken or bent ladders sha
ll be marked and taken out of service until they are repaired by a competent per
son or destroyed in such manner as to render them useless." Disclaimers: You are
not limited to the abatement methods described above. The methods explained are
general and may not be effective in all cases. The employer is responsible for
selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method. Pursuant to 29 C.F.R
. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days from the abatement date for this citati
on, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with
the standard, including describing the steps it is taking to ensure that broken
or bent ladders are marked and taken out of service.

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

May 31, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,503 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer
does not furnish employment and a place of employment which are free from the re
cognized hazards of being struck-by falling equipment or materials which are cau
sing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. This violat
ion was observed on December 2, 2010, when wire mesh material was being lifted a
nd transported by a 3-ton crane, manufacturer unknown, containing a Yale hoist w
ith an attached lifting hook whose safety latch was not functioning properly. Th
e spring loaded latch was defective in that it would not close the throat openin
g of the hook and could allow the sling to slip off the hook upon the load swing
ing or slack produced on the sling. This condition would expose employees to be
struck-by a load, should the sling slide off the hook. ABATEMENT NOTE:
Among other procedures, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct
the hazard is for the employer to comply with the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) Safety Standards for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hook
s, Jacks and Slings ASME B30.10-2009, Section 10-2.10.5 under heading Removal Cr
iteria, Hooks shall be removed from service if damage such as..."(i) inoperative
latch (if provided) - any damaged latch or malfunctioning latch that does not c
lose the hook's throat. Disclaimers: You are not limited to the abatement method
s described above. The methods explained are general and may not be effective in
all cases. The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an approp
riate abatement method. Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calender
days from the abatement
date for this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it i
s in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps it is taking t
o ensure that a hook is removed from service should the safety latch become inop
erable or malfunction.

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

May 19, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,503 Reduced

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

Jul 29, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,504 Reduced

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

Jun 20, 2011

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $7,007 Reduced

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

Jun 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $7,007 Reduced

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

Jun 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

Jul 29, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Issued

May 16, 2011

Abate by

Jul 29, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0