OSHA Inspection: DELTA MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, LLC

Issued

Jul 15, 2009

Abate by

Aug 31, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 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 to
employees in that employees
were exposed to struck-by hazards while cutting high pressure piping.
Ocean House, Westerly, RI: On 04/16/09 an employee was injured when he cut
into a
pipe that was charged with 500 psi of nitrogen while completing tie in to
the HVAC unit. The
employer had not ensured that lock out/tag out procedures were implemented
and followed to
ensure that the high pressure, 500 psi, of nitrogen test pressure had been
released from the
HVAC piping prior to employees cutting the piping. Among other methods,
one feasible and
acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to develop and
implement a lock out/tag
out procedure that requires a two (2) person pressure check/verification
on all piping systems
prior to cutting of piping.
ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.