OSHA Inspection: GULF STATES UTLITIES

Issued

Jun 21, 1993

Abate by

Jul 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

The employer is not limited to abatement methods suggested by OSHA, i.e.,
methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. Other
methods of abatement may be equally or more appropriate. Ultimate
responsibility for determining the most appropriate abatement method rests
with the employer, given its superior knowledge of the specific conditions
on this worksite.
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)  at the GSU Sabine Plant where employees were exposed to
the recognized hazard of being burned while Toshiba Mdl
B-1 4160 volt circuit breakers were racked (moved) in and
out of their cubicles. One method of abatement among
others is to utilize proper work practices including but
not limited to the following:
1)      rack the breakers only when the
bus is de-energized;
2)      rack the breakers utilizing a
remote racking device; or,
3)      Utilize appropriate breakers
where the spring is in the
discharged state when the breaker
is racked in and racked out.