OSHA Inspection: BERWICK ELECTRIC COMPANY

Issued

Apr 21, 2017

Abate by

May 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $11,408 · Current $12,675

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.950(b)(2)(v): The employer did not ensure each qualified employee was trained and competent in the recognition of electrical hazards to which the employees may be exposed and the skills and techniques necessary to control or avoid these hazard:     (a) On or about November 28, 2016, employees were exposed to shock and electrocution hazards due to working on or near energized 12,470 volt HLV/cc switch gear.  Employees did not have the skills, such as being knowledgeable of the schematics and the operation of the switch gear, necessary to control or avoid these hazards.        Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Apr 21, 2017

Abate by

May 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.952(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the employee in charge conducted a job briefing that met paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section with the employees involved before they start each job:  (a) On or about November 28, 2016, Berwick Electric Company, the exposing employer, did not conduct an effective job briefing that complied with paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section, for the electrical distribution line terminations at the 12,470 volt HLC/cc switch gear located in the mechanical room.    Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Apr 21, 2017

Abate by

May 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $11,408 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.961(c)(2): The employer did not ensure that all switches, dis-connectors, jumpers, taps, and other means through which known sources of electric energy may be supplied to the particular lines and equipment to be de-energized are open and the employer did not render such means inoperable, unless its design does not so permit, and then ensure that such means are tagged to indicate that employees are at work:    (a) On or about November 28, 2016, the employer exposed employees to shock and electrocution hazards by not de-energizing and rendering the 12,470 volt HLV/cc switch gear inoperable prior to employees exposure.     Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Apr 21, 2017

Abate by

May 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.961(c)(6): After the applicable requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this section had been followed and the system operator gave a clearance to the employee in charge, the employer did not ensure that the lines and equipment were de-energized by testing the lines and equipment to be worked with a device designed to detect voltage:    a) On or about November 28, 2016, the employer did not test the 12,470 volt HLV/cc switch gear to determine that the switch gear was de-energized before employees started to work.    Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").