OSHA Inspection: PGT INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Aug 21, 2009

Abate by

Aug 31, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,925 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of North Carolina: 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 a struck by hazard:
a)facility, bay # 7, two ton RTM underhung crane- for the
crane operator(s) who routinely use only one sling to
lift and pivot out aluminum extrusion. During this time
the load is not secured and properly balanced, exposing
the operator and others to crushing injuries. On April
21, 2009 an employee was injured after 3 bundles of
aluminum extrusion tilted and fell pinning the operator
between the load and guardrail system. The load was not
secured and properly balanced and positioned in the sling
before it was lifted.
ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible method
to reduce the hazard is to align, separate, and secure
the bundles using cribbing or blocking so that both
slings can be safely and properly positioned and secured
before lifting the load. The operator shall stand outside
the fall radius of the materials lifted.
Reference: [Monorails and Underhung Cranes] ASME B30.11-
204; Section 11-3.2.3.(a) Moving the Load. The employer
shall assure that the load is well secured and properly
balanced in the sling or lifting device before it is
lifted more than a few inches.