OSHA Inspection: SMITH PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

Issued

Jun 4, 2002

Abate by

Jun 9, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees 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 struck-by hazards:
(a) Smith Pipeline Construction Inc., at Encana gas pipeline, south of
Rifle, CO:
On or before April 26, 2002, the employer, acting as both exposing
employer and
controlling employer, did not ensure that employees working in the area of
Caterpillar
excavator model 325B excavator remained outstide of the swing radius of
the bucket,
thereby exposing two of its own employees, and two employees of another
contractor,
to serious injury or death by being struck by the excavator bucket. The
hazard posed
by swinging buckets is plainly obvious and described in industy safety
literature and
in the manufacturer's operating instructions.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these
hazards can be found in SAE J153, Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice,
Section
7.10 Operating Precautions which instructs operators to watch for
bystanders and to
never allow anyone to be under or to reach through the machine and its
equipment
while operating.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (See
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification

Issued

Jun 4, 2002

Abate by

Jun 12, 2002

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $875

Issued

Jun 4, 2002

Abate by

Jun 9, 2002

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $875