OSHA Inspection: SOUTHERN PRE-CAST, INC.

Issued

Mar 11, 1994

Abate by

May 2, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $840 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:
a.The hazard of being struck or punctured by high velocity projectiles
during the
rupture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe with a line pressure of 110 to
130
pounds per square inch, being used to transport compressed air to operate
the
concrete mixer.  The piping was not approved for the usage.
Fragmentation of
the pipe can occur because of fatigue caused by cold contents, and/or
vibrations
of the compressor shifting position and placing additional stress on the
PVC pipe
connector.  The PVC pipe runs from the compressor past the concrete mixer,
across the building and up the center wall for over 100 feet, exposing
employees
working in the concrete mixing, pouring, form setup and vault areas.
(Among others methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this hazard is to insure that PVC pipes under
pressure are approved for use with compressed air and are
constructed of or encased in a shatterresistant