OSHA Inspection: GOPHER EXCAVATION, INC.

Issued

Sep 11, 2014

Abate by

Oct 16, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that; employee(s) using a portable gasoline powered cut off saw was exposed to struck-by hazards associated with improper blade selection.    (a)Gopher Excavating, Inc., Weld County Rd 52 and 17, Johnstown, CO: On and before April 8th, 2014, the employer did not ensure an employee was protected from struck-by or "kickback" hazards associated with using a blade not approved for use by the manufacturer. On April 8th, 2014, an employee was fatality injured while cutting a section of eight-inch High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe with a Stihl gasoline powered cut-off machine, model TS700, equipped with a 14 inch carbide tipped blade prohibited for use by the manufacturer.   Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to read and follow the warnings listed in the operators manual and posted on the saw warning labels that state;  "never use circular saw blades; carbide tipped blades, rescue blades, wood-cutting blades or toothed blades of any nature. They can cause severe personal injury from blade contact, thrown objects and/or reactive forces, including kickback." Additionally, the Plastics Pipe Institute has a published document titled Material Handling Guide that suggests using cutting shears and/or guillotines blades for pipe eight inches and smaller.