OSHA Inspection: WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY

Issued

2008-04-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2008-05-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $3800.00 Reduced

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 in that
employees are exposed
to explosion hazards when they remove un-vented manhole covers that have
the potential to
contain explosive atmospheres and potential ignition sources.  Feasible
and acceptable methods
of abatement include, but are not limited to, ensuring that procedures are
developed and
implemented for the removal of the manhole covers when atmospheric
readings are not
obtainable.  Additionally, ensure that all employees receive adequate
training on these
procedures to assure they understand and can demonstrate how to safely
remove these manhole
covers in the event such testing is not feasible.
A) LOCATION: 43 TERRENCE ST, SPRINGFIELD MA
ON 11/16/07, TWO WORKERS INVOLVED IN THE REMOVAL OF A MANHOLE COVER
WHERE EXPOSED TO A NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION WHEN THEY REMOVED A
MANHOLE COVER PRIOR TO CONFIRMING A SAFE ATMOSPHERE EXISTED IN THE
SPACE.  THE MANHOLE CONTAINED AN EXPLOSIVE CONCENTRATION OF
NATURAL GAS CREATED BY AN UNDERGROUND GAS LEAK AND WHEN THE
COVER WAS SLID BACK AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE
BURNS TO AN EMPLOYEE'S FACE. THE CURRENT PROCEDURES DO NOT INCLUDE
STEPS TO TAKE WHEN ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING PRIOR TO ENTRY IS NOT
FEASIBLE.