OSHA Inspection: UTILITY PLUS, INC.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(m)(2)(v) - The employer did not render any disconnecting means that were accessible to individuals outside the employer's control (for example, the general public) inoperable while the disconnecting means were open for the purpose of protecting employees.    The employer does not render any disconnecting means that are accessible to individuals outside the employer's control (for example, the general public) inoperable while the disconnecting means are open for the purpose of protecting employees.  This violation occurred on or about April 28, 2015, at the job site where employees were exposed to an electrocution hazard when repairing a downed power line without rendering any disconnecting means that are accessible to individuals outside the employers control.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that any disconnecting means that are accessible to individuals outside the employer's control inoperable while the disconnecting means are open for the purpose of protecting employees.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(m)(3)(ii):   All switches, disconnectors, jumpers, taps, and other means through which known sources of electric energy may be supplied to the particular lines and equipment to be deenergized was not opened. Such means was not rendered inoperable, unless its design does not so permit, and tagged to indicate that employees are at work.    The employer does not ensure that all switches, disconnectors, jumpers, taps, and other means through which known sources of electric energy may be supplied to the particular lines and equipment to be deenergized are open.  This violation occurred on or about April 28, 2015, at the job site where employees were exposed to an electrocution hazard when repairing a downed power line without ensuring that all switches, disconnectors, jumpers, taps, and other means through which known sources of electric energy may be supplied to the particular lines and equipment to be deenergized are open.        Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all switches, disconnectors, jumpers, taps, and other means through which known sources of electric energy may be supplied to the particular lines and equipment to be deenergized are open.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(m)(3)(vi): After the applicable requirements in paragraphs (m)(3)(i) through (m)(3)(v) of this section have been followed and the system operator gives a clearance to the employee in charge, the employer did not ensure that the lines and equipment were deenergized by testing the lines and equipment to be worked with a device designed to detect voltage.     The employer does not ensure that the lines and equipment are deenergized by testing the lines and equipment to be worked with a device designed to detect voltage.  This violation occurred on or about April 28, 2015, at the job site where employees were exposed to an electrocution hazard when repairing a downed power line without ensuring that the lines and equipment are deenergized by testing the lines and equipment to be worked with a device designed to detect voltage.       Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that the lines and equipment are deenergized by testing the lines and equipment to be worked with a device designed to detect voltage.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.269(n)(3): Temporary protective grounds shall be placed at such locations and arranged in such a manner that the employer can demonstrate will prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electric potential.     The employer does not place temporary protective grounds at such locations and arranged in such a manner that the employer can demonstrate will prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electric potential.  This violation occurred on or about April 28, 2015, at the job site where employees were exposed to an electrocution hazard when repairing a downed power line without temporarily placing protective grounds at such locations and arranged in such a manner that the employer can demonstrate will prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electric potential.       Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that temporary protective grounds are placed at such locations and arranged in such a manner that the employer can demonstrate will prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electric potential.