Archive for the ‘OSHA Issues’ Category

January 30

Kalamazoo Man Dies in Electrical Accident

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under Electric Shock Incidents, OSHA Electrical Safety Interpretations, OSHA Issues | No Comments

A 31 year old employee of the Pulverdryer plant near Battle Creek Michigan suffered injuries due to an electrical accident and later died at the hospital. Pulverdryer is a manufacturer of technology for pulverizing and drying systems.   The Michigan OSHA has opened an investigation of the accident according to the Springfield Department of Public Safety. Click here [...]

November 28

Three California men injured in electrical explosion

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under Arc Flash Fines, Arc Flash/Shock Safety, Electric Utility Incidents, Underground Network Incidents | No Comments

Three men were injured after a transformer exploded while they were replacing an above ground power vault.   One of the injured is an employee of Anaheim Public Utilities and the other two were under contract with the City of Anaheim. All three were hospitalized.  Police report that their clothing caught fire in the explosion. Oct. 26, 2011 [...]

November 28

MSHA reports electrical fatality September 13, 2011

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under Electric Shock Incidents, OSHA Fines for Electrical Safety, OSHA Issues | No Comments

A 38 year old miner was killed September 13, 2011, when he opened the 480 V feeder box and began to remove the leads.  He received a fatal shock.  He was working at a portable sand and gravel operation.  The full investigation has not yet been published. Click here to read more about the electrical mining [...]

November 28

Developer of Milk Protein and Whey-Based Products Defies Fed-OSHA

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under Combustible Dust Explosions, OSHA Issues | No Comments

Milk Specialties Co. (MSC) has refused to provide OSHA access to an internal report of an alleged combustible dust explosion that occurred in August,2011.  OSHA had a subpoena issued to help determine it employees were exposed to dust hazards.  The company contends that providing the report would violate attorney-client privilege Click here to read more about [...]

October 1

OSHA and MSHA Issue An Alert Warning of the Dangers of Re-built Eaton/Cutler-Hammer Circuit Breakers

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under OSHA Issues | No Comments

OSHA has issued an  alert, warning  of the dangers of using certain Eaton/Cutler-Hammer molded-case circuit breakers that were incorrectly rebuilt. The circuit breakers (model numbers E²K and E²KM) may have been altered by the third-party re-builder by using incorrect parts that can cause the circuit breakers to malfunction. The breakers were originally manufactured by Eaton/Cutler-Hammer as [...]

October 1

North London Employee Severely Burned in Arc Flash Explosion. Company Fined £10,000

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under Arc Flash Fines, Arc Flash/Shock Safety, OSHA Electrical Safety Interpretations | No Comments

The employee was working as a subcontractor at a construction site when the incident occurred.    The explosion was caused when a main electrical supply cable to the site was cut during its removal.  A 415 volt three-phase temporary supply had been provided to the site. The Court heard that the worker approached his supervisor to explain that the electrical [...]

October 1

Akron NY Ice Cream Manufacturer Faces $51K OSHA Fine – Includes Deficiencies in Hazardous Energy Control Program

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under NEC Related Wiring Fines, OSHA Fines for Electrical Safety, OSHA Issues | No Comments

OSHA inspectors identified deficiencies in the hazardous energy control program.  This program involves powering down and locking out machines’ power sources to prevent their unintended start up during maintenance.  Lockout procedures were not developed for tasks that resulted in recordable worker injuries, all lockout procedures were not inspected periodically and employees were not trained on lockout procedures. [...]

October 1

OSHA Fines Georgia Wooden Pallet Manufacturer Citing Electrical Hazards – $33.6K In Fines

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under OSHA Electrical Safety Interpretations, OSHA Issues | No Comments

OSHA identified 11 serious violations with  $33,660 in fines that involvd failing to develop lockout/tagout procedures to prevent accidental startup duirng maintenance, provide locks or suitable hardware for the lockout/tagout process, and among others. and Violations also include several electrical hazards, such as damaged equipment, exposed live parts, uncovered openings in cabinets and boxes, and [...]

October 1

OSHA Cites Colorado Grain Handling Facility with Repeat Violation Involving Improper Electrical Wiring

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under NEC Related Wiring Fines, OSHA Fines for Electrical Safety, OSHA Issues | No Comments

OSHA found one repeat, and 13 serious and two other-than-serious safety violations for exposing workers to a variety of grain hazards during bulk birdseed handling and packaging operations. The repeat violation involved improper electrical wiring.  Proposed penalties total $62,100. Click here to read about OSHA fines in Colorado Facility

September 2

OSHA Finds 37 Health and Safety Violations at Ft. Bragg, NC Base

Posted by Hugh Hoagland
Filed under Arc Flash/Shock Safety, NEC Related Wiring Fines, OSHA Fines for Electrical Safety, OSHA Issues | No Comments

While OSHA does not  have authority over the working conditions of military personnel, it does for civilian employees and contractors who work on military installations.  Violations included a lack of protective equipment available for workers who work on electrical panels.  OSHA has no authority over military bases but they will often invite OSHA to consult and provide [...]