OSHA Inspection: BURNUP & SIMS TELCOM OF FLORIDA, INC.

Issued

Sep 23, 1998

Abate by

Oct 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $3,500

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 burns, electrical shock and electrocution caused
by high voltage
electrical switch packages while installing conduit and the pulling of new
electrical cable:
(a) Switch package #3560 located near 16201 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL -
Unqualified
employees made entrance by way of a key into the locked energized switch
package.
Employees were instructed to pull new electrical cable into the energized
switch package
which required the installation of another conduit in the base of the
cabinet.  While using a
conductive shovel to move the conduit into place to put a sweep on it, the
employee made
contact with his body of 13,200 volts which cross phased producing a
"fireball" and injuring
the employee and igniting his polyester shirt, on or about June 17, 1998.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct this
hazard is:
1.  Do not allow unqualified employees to have keys to electrical
installations and packages.
2.  Do not require unqualified employees to use insulating blankets and
gloves on live
equipment.
3.  Train unqualified employees in safety related work practices and
safety procedures
around electricity that pertain to their job assignments and distances
from such live
equipment.
4.  Regular site inspections to see that each employee is complying with
electrical safety
related work practices.
5.  The employee or work leader in charge of the job should conduct job
briefings
before
they start addressing the electrical hazards sources.
6.  Require only qualified employees work on or near exposed energized
parts of equipment.
7.  Ensure that each employee who is exposed to the hazards of flames or
electrical arcs does
not wear clothing that could increase the extent of injury that would be
sustained by the
employee such as acetate, nylon, polyester or rayon.
8.  Have a designated employee request the deenergizing of the lines or
equipment.
"ABATEMENT NOTIFICATION REQUIRED"

Issued

Sep 23, 1998

Abate by

Sep 29, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500