OSHA Inspection: UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $7,711 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(2): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees entered:      Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020, entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  Prior to entry, the hazards of the spaces were not identified and evaluated.  The type of purpose of the space was unknown in Appendix A Confined Space Identification and Listing contained in the Confined Space Program.  A Confined Space Evaluation Form was available for use in Appendix B.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to items (3)(i) through (3)(vi) of this paragraph:  Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020 entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  Although the Confined Space Program contained a Confined Space Evaluation Form in Appendix B, practices had not been implemented for hazards in the space to be evaluated.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1): Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:  Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020, entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  An Entry Permit was not completed prior to entry into the space.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $7,711 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(i): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not ensure that testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5) was maintained properly:    Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020, entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  The Drager Xa-M 2500 four gas meter that was provided for atmospheric testing had last been calibrated on June 2, 2015.  Guidance provided in the Instruction Manual stated that the meter needed to be calibrated every six months.  Also, calibration gas was not available to allow for Verification of Calibration (bump testing) prior to use.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(ii): Ventilating equipment needed to obtain acceptable entry conditions was not provided:  Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020, entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  A fan with a hose was not provided for employees to ventilate the space.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(i): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions exist before entry was authorized:  Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020, entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  The space was not adequately tested to determine if acceptable entry conditions existed in that the Drager Xa-M 2500 four gas meter was out of calibration by four and a half years and had not been bump tested prior to use.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $7,711 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9): The employer did not develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and/or for preventing unauthorized entry:    Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020, entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  At the time of the entry, the space was classified as a permit required confined space in that the hazards of the space were unknown.  Once entry was made, provisions such as continuous ventilation was not provided to declassify the space to a non-permit required confined space in accordance with the Alternate Entry provisions of the Confined Space Program.  Procedures had not been developed and implemented for summoning rescue and emergency services and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $7,711 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:      Manhole, Confined Space ID 105:  On, or after, June 15, 2020, entry was made into the space to determine whether or not the space contained live electrical conductors in preparation for the construction of a new building in close proximity to the manhole.  Sufficient training had not been provided to employees in that a calibrated meter was not used to test the atmosphere in the space, ventilation was not provided in the space, an Entry Permit was not completed prior to entering the space and provisions for summoning rescue and emergency services were not provided.      Abatement Note:  29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2)(iv) requires that any employee designated to provide permit space rescue practice permit space rescue at least once every twelve months.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Feb 16, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $7,711 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    Trane HVAC Unit located outside of the Art School Building:  On, or about, July 28, 2020, the Trane HVAC unit was re-energized and left unattended before an electrical issue could be either repaired or left in a safe condition.  As an employee approached the energized unit upon return to the worksite, the electrical wiring shorted out, which created an arc flash.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

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):  Trane HVAC Unit located outside of the Art School Building:  On, or about, July 28, 2020, the electrical connection box provided on Compressor 4 was left uncovered while the unit was energized.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(b)(2): Barricades were not used in conjunction with safety signs where it was necessary to prevent or limit employee access to work areas in which employees were exposed to uninsulated energized conductors or circuit parts:  Trane HVAC Unit located outside of the Art School Building:  On, or about, July 28, 2020, barricades, signs or other effective means had not been used to warn against the danger created by an uncovered electrical box on Compressor 4 while it was left unattended during a repair.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,783 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(f)(1)(iv): Overcurrent devices for circuits rated 600 volts, nominal, or less, were not readily accessible to each employee or authorized building management personnel:    University Commons:  On, or about, September 9, 2020, metal kitchen equipment such as trays, a serving tray and rack were stored in front of and around the General Electric switchboard enclosure with attached motor control center and Panel 3, a General Electric panelboard.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $7,711 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:    Facilities:  On, or about, July 30, 2020, a HVAC Technician had not been trained regarding what work practices and protective equipment was required to protect them against electric shock, arc flash and arc blast hazards while performing live trouble-shooting and when and verifying whether or not electrical equipment was properly de-energized.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $7,711 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not provided with and/or did not use electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body that needed to be protected and for the work being performed:      Facilities:  On, or about, July 30, 2020, personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, voltage rated gloves, fire resistive clothing, face shields, balaclaves, hard hats and hearing protection were not provided to or worn by employees who performed live trouble-shooting and/or who verified that electrical equipment was properly de-energized.  Specifically, HVAC Technicians were not provided with any personal protective equipment for electrical hazards, electricians were not provided with fire resistive balaclavas and electricians did not routinely wear protective equipment for electrical hazards while either performing live work or when testing for absence of voltage.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Nov 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(ii): Protective equipment was not maintained in a safe, reliable condition and/or was not periodically inspected or tested:     Facilities:  On, or about, July 30, 2020, a pair of Salisbury Class 0 gloves had not been inspected since April, 2014.

Issued

Sep 28, 2020

Abate by

Feb 16, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $11,023 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a)(1): Live parts to which an employee was exposed were not deenergized before the employee worked on or near them:    University Commons, Second Floor:  On, or about, July 31, 2020, a new branch circuit was installed into Panel KP4, a 120/208 volt panelboard, while the panelboard was energized.  New conductors were attached to the load side of spare circuit breakers.