OSHA Inspection: WATCO TRANSLOADING, LLC

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $11,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.42(a)(1): Loose gear, such as slings, chains, bridles, blocks, and hooks, were not placed in a location or container where they would not be damaged at their completion of use:  (a) Underneath crane track, South side of drive through: On or about, 1 June, 2023 the employer exposed employees to possible crushing injuries or death from falling loads, in that synthetic straps and wire ropes used to sling aluminum blocks and wire spools onto and off of barges, were laying on the gravel exposed to vehicular traffic resulting in damage.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $11,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.42(g)(2)(iii): Synthetic web slings were not removed from service when they were damaged by snags, punctures, tears, or cuts:  (a) Underneath crane track, South side of drive through: On or about, 1 June, 2023 the employer exposed employees to possible crushing injuries or death from falling loads, in that synthetic straps used to sling aluminum blocks and wire spools onto and off of barges,  with visible damage were not removed from service.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Sep 21, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.45(d)(2): The employer used a crane or derrick having a visible or known defect affecting safe operation.  (a) Crane cab: P&H 50 Ton Overhead crane, Model DOT, SN: CJ32357 FF: Crane was used on or about 6/1/2023, and at times prior, with a rusted cab floor with multiple areas where the structure had rusted completely through, exposing the operators to falls greater than 20 feet or lacerations from limbs passing through the cab floor.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Oct 2, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.45(g)(3)(i): Each rail-mounted bridge and portal crane located outside an enclosed structure was not fitted with an operable wind-indicating device.  (a) P&H 50 ton overhead crane, WATCO River facility, Hawesville, KY: On or about 6/1/2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to possible crushing injuries or death from  loss of load control when wind limits were exceeded.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Aug 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.45(g)(3)(iii): The employer did not post operating instructions for high wind conditions in the operator's cab of each rail-mounted crane.   (a) P&H 50 ton overhead crane, WATCO River facility, Hawesville, KY: On or about 6/1/2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to possible crushing injuries or death when wind limits were exceeded because instructions were not posted in the operators cab detailing operators actions in high wind conditions.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Oct 31, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.46(a)(1): Cranes were not fitted with a load indicating device or alternative device in proper working condition.  (a) P&H 50 ton overhead crane, WATCO River facility, Hawesville, KY: On or about 6/1/2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to possible crushing injuries or death from possible overloading of the crane capacity because a load indicating device was not installed.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Aug 30, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,162 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  (a) In the operator's cab of 50 ton crane: On or about 1 June 2023 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to death and burn related injuries in that a SMART Electrician 15 amp portable power tap was used as a continuous power source for a Best Comfort Milkhouse Heater inside the cab in an area with excessive combustible trash and aerosol cans.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Aug 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $1,253 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.26(b): At least one person holding a valid first aid certificate was not at the terminal when work was in progress:  (a) Dockside loading and unloading area:  On or about 1 June, 2023, employer exposed employees to delayed treatment of injuries or medical emergencies, in that a person with a valid first aid certificate was not present at the terminal while employees were unloading aluminum blocks and steel wire from barges.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Aug 30, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.45(f)(5)(i):  Cranes with missing, broken, cracked, scratched, or dirty glass (or equivalent) that impairs operator visibility shall not be used. Clothing, tools and equipment shall be stored so as not to interfere with access, operation, and the operator's view.  (a) Crane cab: P&H 50 Ton Overhead crane, Model DOT, SN: CJ32357 FF: On or about 6/1/2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to injury during unloading operations, in that the cab glass of the operators cab was broken and equipment and trash stored in the cab interfered with the operators ability to see outside.

Issued

Aug 4, 2023

Abate by

Aug 30, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.45(k)(2): A designated person did not thoroughly inspect all functional components and accessible structural features of each crane or derrick at monthly intervals.  (a) Crane cab: P&H 50 Ton Overhead crane, Model DOT, SN: CJ32357 FF: On or about 6/1/2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to falling and laceration hazards, in that the monthly inspection checklist and the annual OSHA 71 inspections, did not note the broken window or rusted out floor of the crane cab.