OSHA Inspection: CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NY INC

Issued

Jul 24, 2012

Abate by

Jul 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i):   First responders at the awareness level did not have sufficient training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demondstrate competency in the following areas:  (A) An understanding of what hazardous substances are, and the risks associated with them in an incident  (B) An understanding of the potential outcomes associated with an emergency created when hazardous substancres are present  (C) The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency.  (D) The ability to identify the hazardous substance, if possible.  (E) An understanding of the role of the first responder awareness individual in the employer's emergency response plan including site security and control and the US Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook.  (F) The ability to realize the need for additional resources, and to make appropriate notifications to the communication center.    Site: Blake Avenue Between Van Siclen Avenue & Schenk Avenue Brooklyn, NY.    On or about 2/21/12    a) There was an uncontrolled release of natural gas in the same area as electrical workers needed to work and the employer ordered the workers to work in the gas plume where they could be exposed to being burned, even though the workers on site identified the hazards to the employer.  The employer did not have an understanding of the risks, and potential outcomes associated with the uncontrolled natural gas leak. The employer did not make appropriate notifications and did not initiate the Emergency Response Plan or the Incident Command System.