OSHA Inspection: BOSTON EDISON COMPANY

Issued

Nov 29, 1989

Abate by

Dec 1, 1989

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $1,000

Issued

Nov 29, 1989

Abate by

Dec 1, 1989

Penalty

Initial $9,000 · Current $1,000 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 potentially
exposed to working conditions and recognized hazards of being overcome
by oxygen deficient atmospheres while performing maintenance and repairs
of Boston Edison electrical lines and cables in manholes:
a) Manhole 18809 (corner of Diamond and Stone Sts. Station, 26 Walpole,
MA):
1) In which on August 12, 1989 employees utilized only on
explosimeter prior to entering manhole to cut four cables. No
forced ventilation was performed:
2) On August 15, 1989 midday, employees used a gas tester and had a
blower at site and no further testing was performed prior to entry
at midnight and at 3:30 am August 16, 1989:
3) On August 16, 1989, no monitoring of the atmospheric conditions
were performed prior to the 1200 hour and 1400 hour entries.
Entries were made to take voltage measurements.
b) Manhole 18810 (Stone St, Station, 26 Walpole, MA):
1) In which on August 12, 1989 employee entered manhole to inspect
cables and apply epoxy patch to a damaged sheath. Only an
explosimeter was used prior to entry.
On all entries no permits were established stating the atmospheric
conditions or tests performed of the manholes nor was their present
appropriate personal protective equipment i.e., retrieval lines.
Employees are subject to the hazard of being asphyxiated due to the
potential lack of oxygen at their work level.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard is to adequately test for oxygen concentration to ensure levels
are between 19.5% and 21.4% and establish train, and enforce an adequate
entry procedure such as that stipulated by NIOSH Criteria Document/
Publication No. 80-106, December 1979.
A procedure would include incorporating a permit system, providing
training and instructions to the hazards and outline safety procedures/
precautions of oxygen deficient atmospheres and other possible
contaminants associated with their working environment.

Issued

Nov 29, 1989

Abate by

Dec 1, 1989

Penalty

Initial $9,000 · Current $1,000 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 potentially
exposed to working conditions and recognized hazards of being overcome
by toxic gas, including carbon monoxide while performing maintenance and
repairs of Boston Edison electrical lines and cables in manholes:
a) Manhole 18809 (corner of Diamond and Stone Sts, Station 26 Walpole,
MA):
1) In which on August 18, 1989 employees utilized an explosimeter
solely to verify atmospheric conditions prior to entering manhole
to cut four cables;
2) August 15, 1989, employee utilised a MSA combustible gas tester
and had a blower for forced ventilation on site midday. Entry into
manholes was made at midnight and at 3:30 am on 8/16/89 to phase
the two sets of cables and check voltages. No atmospheric tests
were made immediately prior to entry;
3) On August 16, 1989, combustible gas levels and oxygen levels were
measured at 10:00 am. No measurements were taken for toxic
contaminants. No measurements were taken immediately prior to
entries at noon and 2:00 pm for the purpose of voltage checks.
4) On August 17, 1989, combustible gas levels and oxygen
concentrations were determined prior to entering manhole for the
purpose of obtaining dimensions of manholes post explosion.
b) Manhole 18810 (Stone St, Station, 26 Walpole, MA): In which on
August 12, 1989 employee entered manhole to check cables and apply
epoxy patch to damaged sheath. Explosive gas levels, solely, were
checked with a MSA combustible gas tester.
On all entries no permits were established stating the atmospheric
conditions or tests performed of the manholes nor was there present
appropriate personal protective equipment i.e., retrieval lines.
At their work level, employees are subject to the hazard of being
overcome by toxic gases, including the recognized hazardous gas
carbon monoxide.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard is to adequately test for toxic gases like carbon monoxide and
establish, train, and enforce an adequate entry procedure such as that
stipulated by NIOSH Criteria Document/Publication No. 80-106.