EH-0155 Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration
ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & HEALTH
SAFETY ACTION
Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of Energy
Environment, Safety & Health Washington, D.C. 20585
DOE/EH-0155 Issue No. 90-4 September 1990
COMPLIANCE WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) STANDARDS
FOR HOISTING, RIGGING, AND OTHER MATERIAL HANDLING ACTIVITIES
COMPLIANCE
Recent incidents, as well as findings by DOE Tiger Teams, indicate that
several DOE contractors are not complying with OSHA standards for hoisting,
rigging, and other material handling activities. These standards are found in
the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 1910 (29 CFR 1910) Subpart N.
Compliance with these standards is required by DOE Order 5483.lA.
Slings
More than half a dozen incidents at DOE facilities involved improper use of
slings. Slings are often the final means of attachment and support in the
rigging system used to hoist, lift, and move materials and equipment.
Therefore, slings must be in good condition and used properly to avoid
accidents similar to the ones described below:
1. On June 25, 1990, a nylon sling/strap used to hold two shipping containers
onto a forklift broke with a noticeable 'popping' sound. The forklift
operator, startled by the sound, suddenly applied the brakes causing one of
the containers to shift forward off the forklift tines onto the floor. The
container, which held radioactive material, buckled slightly upon impact.
Fortunately, no contamination was released.
Post-incident analysis indicates that the unsecured end of the excessively
long sling was run over by the wheel of the forklift, causing the sling to
break. A careful inspection of the load should have revealed the potential
problem.
2. A Tiger Team found the following violations of OSHA standards (29 CFR
1910.184) at another facility:
o A nylon sling whose red internal marker was exposed.
o A nylon sling that was badly worn and frayed.
o Synthetic slings that were not tagged with the manufacturer's name, the
rated capacity, or the type of material the sling was made of.
o A wire rope sling that had numerous broken wires, had a nail driven
between the strands, and was rusted over its entire length.
3. Another incident involved dropping a converter shell from a crane when old,
defective slings were used. Damage to the hood and air breather of the
20-ton crane was $1,565.
Noncompliance with OSHA standards for slings/straps used for hoisting and
rigging caused these incidents, which had the potential to seriously injure
workers or cause property or environmental damage. Regulation 29 CFR
1910.184 (on slings, which includes straps that are used to stabilize
loads) states:
Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and
attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects....
Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed
from service.
Cranes
In addition to slings, cranes were found to be out of compliance with OSHA
standards (29 CFR 1910.179) at several DOE facilities. Tiger Team findings
showed that load-test records for at least 46 cranes were inadequate when
measured against OSHA standards. These cranes were removed from service and
placed under engineering evaluation. Other findings at one facility follow:
o Crane and derrick machinery was not inspected before and during use to make
sure it was safe. Violations included the following:
- Hooks of an unknown size and rating were used.
- Blocks with unknown ratings were available for use.
- Load charts for crane setup were not available for operator use.
- Length of boom, length of jib, offset of jib, and size of the hoist ropes
were unknown.
- Window in the cab was cracked.
o Competent people were not designated by the employer to inspect all cranes
and derricks.
o Written, dated, and signed inspection reports and records for critical items
such as brakes, crane hooks, and ropes were not kept on a monthly basis for a
crane.
o Rated load capacities, recommended operating speeds, and special hazard
warnings and instructions were not conspicuously posted on a crane.
o Wire ropes were not taken out of service when kinking resulted in distortion
of the rope structure.
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
DOE line, program, and operating contractor managers must ensure that their
operations comply with OSHA standards found in 29 CFR 1910.184 for straps and
slings and 29 CFR 1910.179 for cranes. Compliance with these standards
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
o Inspect slings, straps, and their fastenings for damage or defects each day
before use. Remove damaged or defective items from service.
o Ensure slings and straps are repaired, when necessary, only by the
manufacturer or equivalent entity. Note: Proof-test each new, repaired, or
reconditioned sling and strap.
o Ensure that slings and straps are not loaded beyond their rated capacities.
o Protect straps and slings from the sharp edges of loads.
o Prohibit the shortening of straps or slings through the use of knots, bolts,
or other makeshift devices.
o Ensure that straps and slings are tagged with the manufacturer's name, the
rated capacity, and the materials used to make the strap or sling.
o Ensure that no sudden acceleration or deceleration occurs and that the load
does not come in contact with any obstructions when hoisting a load.
o Provide the following inspections of cranes for wear, deterioration, and
malfunction (dependent upon intervals and/or extent of use):
- Frequent inspections--daily to monthly intervals.
- Periodic inspections--l- to 12-month intervals.
Refer to the DOE Hoistinq and Rigging Manual for more detailed guidance on how
to comply with OSHA standards on these subjects. Also, refer to American
National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard
B 30.9 (1984), Safety Code for Slings, for specific guidance on slings.
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For more information or additional copies, contact Eleanor Crampton,
Performance Assessment Division, Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety &
Health, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20545; Telephone FTS 233-
3732, Commercial (301) 353-3732.
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