OSHA Inspection: ORIUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Issued

Dec 6, 2002

Abate by

Apr 8, 2003

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

Issued

Dec 6, 2002

Abate by

Jan 15, 2003

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 fire and explosion:
(a) On or about November 5, 2002, employees working at
570 Chelan Street in Golden, Colorado, were exposed to
the hazards of fire and explosion when a natural gas line
was struck during directional boring operations. The
exact location of the gas line where the boring rod could
possibly come in contact with the gas line had not been
located at the 570 Chelan Street address prior to digging
operations, as recommended by Article 1.5 of title 9.
Colorado Revised Statutes, 1986.
"AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO ENSURE THAT BEFORE BORING IS
BEGUN THAT ALL UTILITIES HAVE BEEN LOCATED AND MARKED WHERE DIGGING
IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE"
or in the alternative
29 CFR 1926.651(b)(1):  The estimated location of underground
utility installations, such as sewer, telephone, fuel, electric,
water lines, or any other underground installations that reasonably
may be expected to be encountered during excavation work, were not
determined prior to opening an excavation:
(a)  570 Chelan Street, Golden, Colorado:  On or about
November 5, 2002, employees conducting excavation work
severed a natural gas line and a resulting explosion
occurred. The location of the underground utilities was
not determined prior to opening the excavation.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item
(see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification