OSHA Inspection: WHITE OAK CORPORATION

Issued

Mar 17, 1994

Abate by

Mar 21, 1994

Penalty

Initial $5,600 · Current $2,000 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 of
recognized hazards that were
causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in
that employees were
exposed to uncontrolled release of metal fragments when a double acting
hydraulic cylinder
burst.
On or about 10/4/93 at the East Abutment of the Arrigoni Bridge in
Portland, CT employees
were emplacing a double acting hydraulic jack system, consisting of a
pump, 2 double acting
cylinder jacks and hosing.  Each jack in the system was connected to the
pump by a single hose.
Upon pressurizing the system, a quick release coupling on a jack burst
and a metal fragment
struck an employee causing serious physical injuries.
One feasible means of abatement, among others include the following:
a.  Operation of the jack should be in accordance with the manufacturer's
Operating and
Maintenance Instruction, which requires the connection of hoses to both
quick release couplings.
b.  Employees should be clear of the area surrounding the jack when
pressurized.