OSHA Inspection: NEVADA POWER COMPANY

Issued

Mar 21, 2013

Abate by

Apr 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(iii): When hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), the employer did not select PPE that properly fit each affected employee.     (a) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, the employer failed to provide conductive booties that properly fit each employee.  Booties that were too small were modified by cutting off the top portion and securing onto the work boots with tape.   At least one employees work boots extended approximately two inches past the front of the bootie.  Employees were potentially exposed to the hazard of transient electrical shock, catching the bootie on part of the tower while climbing or traversing and falling from approximately 75 feet.

Issued

Mar 21, 2013

Abate by

Apr 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(e): The employer did not ensure defective and damaged equipment was not used:     (a) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, during a training exercise on the removal and replacement of insulator stringers on energized 500 kV lines,  conductive suit, serial number 13, had a tear or a rip about one inch long in the seat.  Employees were potentially exposed to the hazard of transient electrical shock and falling from approximately 75 feet.    (b) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, during a training exercise on the removal and replacement of insulator stringers on energized 500 kV lines, one of the eight pairs of available conductive booties had a torn strap and another pair had the top portions of the bootie completely cut off.  All of the booties required tape to secure them to employees' work boots.  Employees were potentially exposed to the hazard of transient electrical shock and falling from approximately 75 feet.    (c) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, during a training exercise on the removal and replacement of insulator stringers on energized 500 kV lines, conductive gloves worn by employee(s) on the energized 500 kV lines had holes in the fingertips.  Employees were potentially exposed to the hazard of transient electrical shock and falling from approximately 75 feet.

Issued

Mar 21, 2013

Abate by

Aug 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(g)(2)(i):  The employer did not ensure personal fall arrest equipment  met the requirements of Subpart M of Part 1926 of this Chapter.  (a) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, employees in training on live line removal and replacement of insulator stringers were wearing linemans belts and six foot pole straps (positioning device), in lieu of fall protection harnesses and lanyards in personal fall arrest systems, when transferring to/from the tower to the horizontal spliced ladder, traversing approximately four feet on the horizontal spliced ladder and when transferring to/from the horizontal spliced ladder to the energized 500 kV line.  Employees were exposed to the hazard of falling and hanging from a lineman's belt and six foot pole strap and/or falling out of the linemans belts from heights of about 75 feet.  {Ref. 1926.502(d)}  (b) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, employees in training on live line removal and replacement of insulator stringers were using the horizontal spliced ladder as anchorage for the attachment of a positioning device used as personal fall arrest equipment.   The spliced ladder was hung in a horizontal position from transmission Tower 222-1, was used as a platform and not capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached.  Employees were exposed to the hazard of falling from a height of approximately 75 feet. {Ref. 1926.502(d)(15)}

Issued

Mar 21, 2013

Abate by

Aug 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(g)(2)(v):  Fall arrest equipment, work positioning equipment, or travel restricting equipment was not used by employees working at elevated locations more than 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground on poles, towers, or similar structures if other fall protection has not been provided.  Fall protection equipment is not required to be used by a qualified employee climbing or changing location on poles, towers, or similar structures, unless conditions, such as, but not limited to, ice, high winds, the design of the structure (for example, no provision for holding on with hands), or the presence of contaminants on the structure, could cause the employee to lose his or her grip or footing.   Note 2: in (x) Definition.  Employees undergoing training are not considered "qualified employees" for the purposes of this provision. Unqualified employees (including trainees) are required to use fall protection any time they are more than 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground.  a) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, two employees in training on live line removal and replacement of insulator stringers on a 500 kV line, approximately 75 feet above the ground and wearing gloves without grip, transferred to/from the transmission tower to the horizontal spliced ladder without fall protection.  b) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, two employees in training on live line removal and replacement of insulator stringers on a 500 kV line, approximately 75 feet above the ground and wearing gloves without grip, traversed approximately four feet across a horizontal spliced ladder without fall protection.   c) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, an employee in training on live line removal and replacement of insulator stringers on a 500 kV line, approximately 75 feet above the ground and wearing gloves without grip, transferred to/from a horizontal spliced ladder to the 500 kV line without fall protection.

Issued

Mar 21, 2013

Abate by

Apr 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(q)(3)(vii):   The employer did not ensure that before the employee contacts the energized part, the conductive bucket liner or other conductive device is bonded to the energized conductor by means of a positive connection. The connection did not remain attached to the energized conductor until the work on the energized circuit is completed.    (a) On or about September 25, 2012, Tower 222-1, the conductive faraday suit worn by the employee was not bonded to the 500 kV energized line prior to transfer from the horizontal spliced ladder, instead employees bonded to the energized 500 kV transmission lines with their hands.  Employees wore the suits during training on the removal and replacement of an insulator stringer on 500 kV transmission lines.  Employees were potentially exposed to the hazard of transient electrical shock and falling from heights of approximately 75 feet.

Issued

Mar 21, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.40(a):   The employer did not provide an authorized government representative the records within the four business hours.  a) On or about December 21, 2012, the employer did not provide the OSHA 301 forms or equivalent for 2007 to 2012 in four business hours to an OSHA representative.  OSHA representative requested the the forms by e-mail on December 21, 2012, and the forms were not provided until January 17, 2013.