OSHA Inspection: ALPHA ANTENNA SERVICE, INC.

Issued

Mar 23, 2011

Abate by

Mar 31, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,000 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 or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to the hazard of falls:
a)On or about 10/25/10, Tower Site:  Employees were accessing the top
antennae level of an existing television and radio communication tower by
riding the ball of the load line.  This exposed employees to falls of up
to 379
feet.
Among other feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these
hazards are to:
1) Climb the integral ladder of the tower while using 100 percent fall
protection, or
2) Follow all of the requirements of OSHA Directive Number: CPL 2-1.29,
Interim Inspection Procedures During Communication Tower Construction,
with an effective date of March 26, 2002.  Which amongst other items, would
require that the employer provide:
a) Proper training in regards to hoisting employees
b) All employees with proper personal protective equipment (including
fall protection) and ensure that it is inspected prior to each lift.
c) The personnel load capacity and material capacity of the lifting
system in use and ensure that it is posted near the lift operator.
d) A trial lift of the maximum intended personnel load from the
ground to the location to which the personnel are to be hoisted.
e) A visual inspection of the hoist, rigging, base support and
foundation by a competent person immediately after the trial lift.
f) A proof test of the hoist in which 125 percent of the load is to be
suspended for five minutes.
g) Pre lift meetings.
h) Documentation of all trial lifts.
i) A personnel platform to hoist employees or when not feasible, fall
protection shall be attached by lanyards meeting strength
requirements and with locking type snap hooks.
j) The rated load capacities, recommended operating speeds, and
special hazard warnings or instructions for the hoist and conspicuously
post them on the hoist.
k) An accessible fire extinguisher of 5 BC rating for the operators
station.
l) An operators manual for the hoist in use, maintained on site.
m) A hoist log book that shall record all hoist inspections, tests,
maintenance, and repair.  The hoist log book shall be updated dailywhen
the hoist is being used or serviced and shall be maintained on
site at all times.
n) That the structure that the hoist is mounted to shall be anchored to
prevent movement.
o) An anti two block device on the hoist and tower attachment point.
p) All rigging be inspected daily and be provided with thimbles.
Abatement documentation must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Mar 23, 2011

Abate by

Mar 31, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Mar 23, 2011

Abate by

Mar 31, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Mar 23, 2011

Abate by

Mar 31, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced