OSHA Inspection: WESTERN ROOFING, INC.

Issued

Jun 13, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.416(a)(3): Before work began the employer did not ascertain by inquiry or direct observation, or by instruments, whether any part of an energized electric power circuit, exposed or concealed, is so located that the performance of the work may bring any person, tool, or machine into physical or electrical contact with the electric power circuit. The employer did not post and maintain proper warning signs where such a circuit exists. The employer did not advise employees of the location of such lines, the hazards involved, and the protective measures to be taken:    a. Western Roofing, Inc., @ 710 3rd St., Windsor, CO 80550: On and before 5/21/12, the employer did not ascertain if any energized electrical power circuit could come into physical with any persons or tools while employees conducted roofing work on a single story, flat roof structure. Additionally, the employer did not post an appropriate warning sign(s) indicating the presence of the energized 220 volt electrical line. Lastly, the employer did not advise employees of the location, that hazards involved, and/or protective measures to be taken. The energized line intersected a portion of the roof along the west side and was mounted inside the roof area. Employees were exposed to the energized line when installing flashing and caulk around the service line base and flashing on the top of the parapet.     Abatement Note: To assist the employer in complying with the provision, the following excerpt was taken from an OSHA interpretation letter dated February 23, 1999. For the entire text, visit the interpretations section at www.osha.gov.     29 CFR 1926.416(a)  No employer shall permit an employee to work in such proximity to any part of an electric power circuit that the employee could contact the electric power circuit in the course of work, unless the employee is protected against electric shock by deenergizing the circuit and grounding it or by guarding it effectively by insulation or other means.     The term insulation as used in this provision, means a material that will protect employees from shock hazards associated with electrical power circuits. Factors such as use and location will determine the proper type of conductor insulation required. Insulation integral to conductors must withstand exposure to atmospheric and other conditions of use without detrimental leakage of current.     Whether plastic sheathing is considered insulation    Asked about a situation in which a "circuit" has "plastic sheathing over the conductor" and is not in any type of rigid conduit. Asked if "the plastic sheathing over the conductor [would] be considered insulation" under 1926.416(a).    In most 120 volt and 240 volt circuits, current is carried through two of three circuit conductors. One is ungrounded and one is neutral.1 An equipment grounding conductor is also usually included in the cable. The two circuit conductors are made of solid or stranded conducting material -- wire. Each wire is encased in insulating material. The equipment grounding conductor is normally either bare wire or wrapped in paper. The two insulated conductors, plus the equipment grounding conductor, are collectively encased in either a flexible plastic sheath or a flexible metal sheath.    We assume that when you use the term "conductor" in your question, you are referring to the current carrying conductors (consisting of wire individually encased by insulating material), plus the equipment grounding conductor. We further assume that when you refer to the "plastic sheathing over the conductor," you are referring to the typical plastic sheath that collectively encases the insulated conductors plus the grounding conductor. In that circumstance, the plastic sheathing that holds the conductors plus the equipment grounding conductor is not designed to serve as insulation. While it may or may not have some insulating properties, its purpose is to (1) conveniently package the three conductors into one cable, (2) provide protection against atmospheric and other conditions of use without detrimental leakage of current and (3) protecting the conductors -- both the wires and the insulation that encases them, as well as the equipment grounding conductor -- from mechanical damage.    Guarding against electrical shock  Asked if the term insulation as used in 1926.416(a) refers only to the insulating material that encases a wire, or if the term refers to a separate insulating system worn or used by the workers?    Where a circuit has not been deenergized, section 1926.416(a) requires that employees be protected from electrical shock by guarding it [the circuit] effectively by insulation. This means that the employer must ensure that insulation already covers the energized parts and will protect the employee. That insulation must be sufficient/appropriate for the working conditions. If it will not protect the employee, then the employer must use insulating material, such as an insulating blanket, to protect against the shock hazard. Where that is not feasible, this provision, in conjunction with 1926.95(a), requires employers to protect employees with appropriate insulating personal protective equipment.