OSHA Inspection: CITY OF LUVERNE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPT

Issued

May 1, 2002

Abate by

May 5, 2002

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

General-duty citation text

Minn. Stat. 182.653 subd. 2:  The employer did not furnish to each
employee, conditions of employment and a place of employment free
from recognized hazards which caused or were likely to cause death
or serious injury to employees:
On October 20, 2001, employees of The City of Luverne/Public
Utilities Department were exposed to potential electrocution
hazards due to the fact that the ground wire did not have an
impedance low enough to cause prompt operation of circuit
protective devices when it became energized.  The vertical
ground wire was tested on Oct 20, 2001 and found to be
energized at approximately 882 volts AC, after an employee of
RCH Cable Sales Company of the Midwest, Inc. was electrocuted
on a power pole.  The power pole was located at the northwest
corner of the National Guard Armory in Luverne, MN.  The
vertical ground wire was not connected to a suitable grounding
electrode.  After a Mediacom, MN, LLC employee received an
electric shock on the same power pole on September 28 2001,
the lines and equipment were not adequately tested to identify
what was energized.