OSHA Inspection: LOWE'S HOME CENTERS, INC.

Issued

Jul 18, 2014

Abate by

Aug 13, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,675 · Current $5,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a)(2): Where exposed live parts were not deenergized (i.e., for reasons of increased or additional hazards or infeasibility), other safety-related work practices were not used to protect employees who were exposed to an electrical hazards from exposed circuit parts energized at 480 volts.  The selected work practices must protect employees against contact with energized circuit parts directly with any part of their body or indirectly through some other conductive object:     On or about May 13, 2014, an unqualified employee was allowed to open an enclosure panel containing exposed energized 277 and 480 volt circuit elements to disengage the automatic timing mechanism for the facility's overhead lights. The employee was not protected by a work practice such as, the use of electrical protective equipment (e.g. barriers, rubber insulating blankets, covers, gloves and sleeves (qualified persons only), or other approved handling equipment.      (a)  Novar Logic One, located at the top of the cabinet, a cover was missing exposing electrical connections.     (b)  Novar Logic One, located at the bottom of the cabinet, a cover was missing exposing electrical connections.     (c)  Electrical rack adjacent to the orange receptacle at the bottom of the cabinet has live parts exposed.        In the Alternative         29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):      On or about May 13, 2014, an employee was exposed to energized 480 volt circuit elements (120-600V) when he opened an approved enclosure cabinet door to disengage the automatic timing mechanism used to control the facility's overhead lighting in that:     (a)  Novar Logic One, located at the top of the cabinet, a cover was missing exposing electrical connections.     (b)  Novar Logic One, located at the bottom of the cabinet, a cover was missing exposing electrical connections.     (c)  Electrical rack adjacent to the orange receptacle at the bottom of the cabinet has live parts exposed.