OSHA Inspection: JBS PIPELINE CONTRACTORS

Issued

Dec 3, 2002

Abate by

Dec 7, 2002

Penalty

Initial $750

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer is 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 fire and/or explosion hazards from ignition of
natural gas
escaping from a broken pipeline:
(a)JBS Piping Contractors & 90 S. Miller (Colorado Hwy 7 & Miller Ave),
Brighton, CO:  On September 20th, the employer did not ensure that
employee(s), excavating in an area with underground utilities, were not
exposed to fire and/or explosion hazards when a gas pipeline was broken
during excavation activities.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
is to:
(a)Use of reasonable care when excavating around marked facilities, as per
Colorado State Statute Section 9.1.5-103, including:
(1)Pot Holing
(2)Visual verification of the facility
(3)Use of non-mechanized excavation tools
(4)Other non-destructive excavation practices
(5)Documentation
(b)Notification of facility owners when underground facilities are damaged
to
facilitate repair:
Abatement note:  Abatement certification is not required for this item.