OSHA Inspection: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND

Issued

Feb 27, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(a)(2)(i): Employees were not trained in nor were they familiar with the safety-related work practices, safety procedures, and other safety requirements that pertained to their respective job assignments:    Naval Base:  As required by the above referenced standard and 29 CFR 1960.8(b), on, or about, October 18, 2013, employees working as High Voltage Electricians, Engineering Technicians and as an Electrical Engineer in the UEM Division of the Public Works Department had not been provided with adequate training regarding construction, proper operation and hazards associated with equipment used in the high voltage electrical distribution system provided on the base.  The electrical system consisted of varying brands and types of equipment of varying age and service conditions.  The newer electricians, or those who were temporarily assigned to the UEM division, relied on on-the job training and interactions with electrical contractors to obtain knowledge.  More experienced electricians had been previously trained in work methods that were no longer consistent with current industry recommendations.

Issued

Feb 27, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(a)(2)(ii)(D): Qualified employees were not trained and competent in the proper use of the special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools for working on or near exposed parts of electric equipment:    Naval Base:  As required by the above referenced standard and 29 CFR 1960.8(b), on, or about, October 18, 2013, employees working as High Voltage Electricians, Engineering Technicians and as an Electrical Engineer in the UEM Division of the Public Works Department had not been provided with adequate training regarding what situations required the donning of protective equipment designed to protect against electrical hazards when conducting visual inspections of pad mounted transformers.

Issued

Feb 27, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:    Naval Base:  As required by the above referenced standard and 29 CFR 1960.8(b), on, or about, October 18, 2013, electrical equipment such as, but not limited to, transformers, switches, switchgear and circuit breaker enclosures were not free from recognized hazards such as corrosion, inadequate insulation, deterioration, and contamination due to a lack of preventative maintenance on such equipment and in some cases, a combination of age and lack of preventative maintenance.  Examples of equipment that was likely to cause death or serious harm to employees in the event of an equipment failure include, but is not limited to:    1.      Pad mounted transformers located throughout the base.  2.      Air switches located in Building 85 that were subject to steam migration.  3.      Transformers and switches located in the yard of the substation, including pneumatic components.  4.      Circuit breaker enclosures located at the substation.  5.      Various other enclosures including switchgear that contained a large rodent nest.

Issued

Feb 27, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(h)(3): The depth of work space about equipment shall be as required in paragraph (h)(5)(i) of this section. In all cases, the work space shall be adequate to permit at least a 90-degree opening of doors or hinged panels:       Naval Base, Building 173:  As required by the above referenced standard and 29 CFR 1960.8(b), on, or about, October 18, 2013, adequate clearance had not been provided between the front of Switches SW816 and SW817 and the exterior wall of the building.  The exterior wall of the building was measured to be 36 inches from the face of the enclosures and grounded raceway, conduit and a panelboard were located in the limited working space provided.  Table S-2 of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S requires 6 feet of working space under the conditions present in the electrical room.       Abatement Note:  Employees required to reach into switch enclosures to change fuses, due to poor equipment design from the manufacturer, may also violate 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(2), Live-Line Work, Minimum Approach Distances listed in Table R-6 of Subpart R.  In those cases, additional work practices such as, but not limited to, opening and locking out downstream switches/circuit breakers to relieve any potential load may reduce/eliminate the chance of an arc flash incident.   Recommended industry guidelines should be incorporated into the existing work procedures and with appropriate employee training.