OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
April 4, 1990
| MEMORANDUM FOR REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS |
| THRU: |
LEO CAREY
Director
Office of Field Programs |
| FROM: |
THOMAS J. SHEPICH
Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Safety Hazard Information Bulletin on Marine Arm Lifting
Devices |
The Directorate of Technical Support issues Hazard Bulletins (HIB) as needed
to provide relevant information regarding unrecognized or misunderstood
safety and health hazards, inadequacies of materials, devices, techniques,
and engineering controls. HIB's are initiated based on information provided
by the field staff, studies, reports and concerns expressed by safety and
health professionals, employers, and the public. Information is complied
based on a comprehensive evaluation of available facts, literature, and in
coordination with appropriate parties. HIB's do not necessarily reflect an
OSHA policy.
The Dallas Regional Office has brought to our attention a potentially
serious hazard existing with the use of counterweighted marine arm lifting
devices.
During a recent fatality investigation by the Baton Rouge Area Office, a
Chiksan manually-operated rotary counterweighted marine arm was installed and
placed in use without the Crosby "Fist Grip" clips on the counterweight cable
being properly torqued. The cable pulled out of the clips causing the arm to
swing freely and strike an employee.
The marine arm, model RCMA, was manufactured by the FMC Corporation of
Houston, Texas. According to FMC, the company has since initiated field
inspections of installed cable clips on recently purchased Chiksan arms to
insure that the clips are properly torqued. Moreover, FMC has inspected
older arms to verify proper installation.
Other installed marine arms in use throughout the country may have the same
problem which can easily be checked and corrected. Attached is a copy of a
"Fist Grip" specification sheet for wire rope clips listing recommended
torque values for various diameter ropes.
Please distribute this bulletin to all Area Offices, State Plan States and
Consultation Projects.
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