OSHA Inspection: NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY

Issued

Apr 19, 2002

Abate by

Jan 1, 2004

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $2,500 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 the hazard of being struck and crushed by the
forward and
backwards rolling of large diameter steel pipes:
a)Northwest Pipe Company at 6030 North Washington Street, Denver, CO:
On or about October 23, 2001 an employee sustained fatal injuries when he
was struck  and crushed by a steel pipe.  The large diameter (73 inch) pipe
rolled backwards out of the east hydrotest machine and crushed the employee
against a pipe skid.  No mechanism was in place to prevent the large
diameter
pipes from rolling out of the machine.
b)Northwest Pipe Company at 6030 North Washington Street, Denver, CO:
On or about October 24, 2001 employees who were working in the east
hydrotest area were exposed to the hazard of being struck and crushed by
rolling and back rolling steel pipe.  Employees were exposed while
performing
pipe control operations.  Employees were potentially exposed to being
struck
when they had to place their bodies in the hazard area while placing wood
blocks on the back rolling side of the pipe.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO CONTRACT FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT AND INSTALLATION OF AN ENGINEERED PIPE MOVEMENT
AND PIPE SECURING SYSTEM.  ONCE THIS SYSTEM IS INSTALLED, A
COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM WILL NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AND
IMPLEMENTED TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE PROHIBITED AND
PREVENTED FROM BYPASSING THE ENGINEERING CONTROL SYSTEM.
Abatement Note:  Abatement documentation and certification are required
for this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").tion

Issued

Apr 19, 2002

Abate by

May 14, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Apr 19, 2002

Abate by

Jan 1, 2004

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $23,530 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 the hazard of being struck and crushed by the
forward
and
backwards rolling of large diameter steel pipes:
a)Northwest Pipe Company at 6030 N. Washington Street Denver, CO
80216:  On or about October 24, 2001 employees who were working in the
east hydrotest area were exposed to the hazard of being struck and crushed
by
rolling and back rolling steel pipe.  Employees were exposed while
performing
pipe moving operations.  The pipes were moved down the skid area by the
employees either pulling them from the front of the pipe or pushing the
pipe
from behind.  Employees were required to place their bodies in between the
pipe that they were moving and another pipe (or other surface).
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO FOLLOW AND ENFORCE THE
COMPANY'S SAFETY PROGRAM WHICH REQUIRES THAT WHEN EMPLOYEES
ARE MOVING PIPES, THEY ALWAYS MAINTAIN A BODY POSITION TO THE
OUTSIDE OF THE ENDS OF THE PIPE.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").