OSHA Inspection: GENERAL ELECTRIC STEAM TURBINE DIVISION

Issued

Sep 1, 1988

Abate by

Sep 4, 1988

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $10,000

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:
a) 05/19/88 - Building #273, K Bay employees were exposed to the hazard
of explosion of horizontal compound impregnating tank #3 due to an
incomplete interlock system. Five red and green lights mounted on the
top of the instrument panel were inoperable. Four pairs are connected
through microswitches to handwheel on the tank flange, and the fifth
pair is connected to a spring-loaded plunger on top of the tank
flange. These lights are the check on the interlock system.
A feasible and acceptable abatement method among others to correct this
hazard is: Ensure that interlock system is properly maintained at all
times, i.e., lights or other alarm maintained to warn employees that
interlocks are performing their function.