OSHA Inspection: P P & L, INC.

Issued

Sep 23, 1988

Abate by

Sep 1, 1989

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
electrocution and/or fall hazards:
a) Construction - Line employees climb electrical transmission/
distribution line towers (Company #59733/551571) to perform visual
inspection and/or repairs. An unguarded helper climbed the emergency
side of the tower which was improperly grounded, was not marked to
easily distinguish the energized side and the employee was
inadequately trained in safety related work practices associated
with the specific job assignment, May 14, 1988.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods are:
1) The teaching of job skills (climbing) and work practices should be
improved. The necessary job skills and work procedures should be
identified and systematically taught. A formal accounting shouldbe
maintained of skills acquired and procedures mastered to verify
training and to certify employee qualifications.
2) When a de-energenized line and an energized line (66 KV or above)
parallel each other within 100 feet and any work is possible on the
de-energized line conductors (all phase wires and overhead static
wires) the conductors should be short-circuited and grounded and the
maximum distance between grounds is two (2) miles or less.
3) When climbing the energized side of a electrical transmission tower,
employees should not place their body in any position from which a
slip would tend to bring their body toward exposed parts which are
at an electrical potential different from the employees body.
4) PP&L Safety Rule 18.12 (on double circuit lines in excess of 15 KV,
with a circuit on each side of the pole, tower or structure, where
on circuit is de-energized and grounded, warning flags shall be
placed approximately 8 feet above the ground to indicate the
energized circuit) should be enforced.