USW Death Investigation Leads to Equipment Redesign

On August 24, 2004, Michael J. Carney lost his life saving a coworker from being struck at the Allegheny Ludlum’s Vandergrift plant in Pennsylvania. After an investigation by United Steelworkers (USW) Health, Safety and Environment department and USW Local 1138, the remote control crane box was found to be defective.

A screw from the battery compartment inside the Telemotive Series 8000 remote crane box came loose and stuck to adhesive mylar tape in the box. The screw had lodged in the micro switch and may have caused unexpected crane movement.

The United Steelworkers put up a product recall notice on the USW Health and Safety Web site to notify other users of the product. The result was workers across the United States who had this model began finding similar defaults.

The remote crane box has since been redesigned.

United Steelworkers Health, Safety and Environment department urges all workplaces to inventory their equipment to see if this box is being used or in stock. If this box is in your location:

Ø       you should inspect all boxes immediately,

Ø       include the box in your crane inspection program,

Ø       contact the manufacturer for any updates or design modifications.