OSHA Inspection: DEFELICE CORPORATION

Issued

Feb 7, 2008

Abate by

Feb 12, 2008

Penalty

Initial $2,000

Issued

Feb 7, 2008

Abate by

Feb 12, 2008

Penalty

Initial $2,000

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 struck-by hazards from the unexpected water under high pressure
(120 to 150 PSI).
(a) Location - Douglas Road, Lowell, MA:
On or about August 12, 2007, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards
while
disassembling a temporary steel pipe water supply system where a section
remained
under pressure and/or tagged out.
Among other feasible means of abatement methods for this hazard include,
but are not
limited to:
1. Establish and enforce an adequate Lockout, tagout program in accordance
with ANSI
Z244.1-1982. "American National Standard for Personal Protection Lockout,
Tagout
of
Energy Sources-Minimum Safety Requirements." Essential Elements of this
lockout,
tagout procedure would include:
a. Require lock-out, tagout before any maintenance or disassembly of
equipment.
b. Require that each exposed employee lock-out the energy isolating device
with their
personal lock.
Stored energy such as water pressure must be dissipated or restrained by
blocking or
bleeding down.
c. Test equipment to ensure that the energy sources have been effectively
disconnected
or isolated.
d. Remove locks only after ensuring the safety of all exposed employees.
e. Train employees responsible for equipment lockout in all elements of
the
program.
This training should be repeated as frequently as necessary to maintain
management and
work proficiency, and compliance with procedure.
f. Evaluate the program periodically to ensure continued use and adequacy.
g. Enforce all provisions of the program.