OSHA Inspection: DANIS ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Oct 17, 2000

Abate by

Nov 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of North
Carolina:  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:
a)for the Danis Environmental Industries, Inc. employees at the Mallard
Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Charlotte, NC who, on August 18,
2000,
entered a manhole (#43) to locate a leak on a newly constructed 42"
ductile iron
wastewater transport pipeline.  The employees utilized a Cherne pneumatic
plug
and pressurized the pipeline without following recognized safety
precautions,
including:
1)Conducting pneumatic plug inflation and pipe pressurization from outside
manhole(s)
(Danger Zone), utilizing hose extensions and a remote inflation control
panel.
2)Ensuring all pneumatic plug operations are conducted in a manner so that
the maximum
allowable backpressure recommended by the plug manufacturer is not
exceeded.
3)Selecting and utilizing air pressure gauges which are appropriate for
accurately measuring
the pressures used during pneumatic plug operations and ensuring all
gauges are
calibrated as recommended by the manufacturer.
4)Properly positioning gauges with respect to the air stream to accurately
measure
backpressure exerted against pneumatic plug.
5)Utilizing a bracing system to restrain pneumatic plug and secure it in
pipe when back
pressure is exerted.
Feasible abatement methods include, but are not limited to, the following:
Conducting installation and use of pneumatic plug(s) in accordance with
procedures
outlined in
manufacturers safety manual.

Issued

Oct 17, 2000

Abate by

Nov 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $9,000 Reduced