Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer does not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from the recognized hazards of being struck by falling equipment and materials which are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees: This violation was observed on or about November 16, 2011, at the construction site of the Caminada Bay Bridge, Grande Isle, Louisiana. Employees were operating pile driving equipment that had been modified by the employer without the consent of the manufacturer and/or a Professional Engineer (P.E.). Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by falling equipment and materials in the event of a failure. Among other feasible methods to correct the identified hazard, one method would be to obtain the recommendations of a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and/or the manufacturer prior to removing portions of and/or modifying the structural members of pile driving leads. Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation describing the actions it is taking to establish, communicate, and implement written procedures to ensure that structural or other critical changes are not made to equipment without the consent of the manufacturer and/or a Professional Engineer (P.E.).