Expert Witness Forensic Engineer Industrial Controls Automation New Orleans
Arthur Zatarain
Project Profiles
Crane & Hoist Machinery Accidents

Investigation of accidents involving electrically operated cranes and hoists. Some engagements involved unguarded rotating shafts and couplings during maintenance activities. Other issues involved malfunctions of electrical and electronic components used for both control systems and safety systems. The investigations involved accidents in which there was personal injury as well as fatality.

In some instances the key issues involved requirement for machine guarding of cranes according to ASME B15.1, ANSI/ASME B30.2, and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.211. Additional standards of consideration were OSHA 29 CFR 1910.179 for overhead cranes, and 1910.147 for Lockout Tagout (LOTO).

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The forensic investigation included analysis of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, safety programs, training, and record keeping, as well as the technical aspects of the plant's crane maintenance following third party inspections. Other aspects included the requirements for electrical power and control components used in the crane's wired and wireless control systems.

One aspect of these investigations was a root cause analysis to identify the preventable causes of the crane accident. The root cause is analyzed within the context of the accident as well as that of the operating environment in which it occured. 

 



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