OSHA Inspection: T.J. WHIPPLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Issued

Aug 22, 2022

Abate by

Sep 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,170 · Current $1,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.21(b)(2):The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:  a.)  TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015 E. 12th Street, Erie, PA - On or about 2/22/22, and at times prior thereto, an employee was cutting conduit to a live 480 volt panel box.  The employee had not been instructed in electrical safety or training prior to starting the removal of electrical equipment.  b) TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015 E. 12th Street, Erie, PA - On or about 2/22/22, and at times prior thereto, personnel were potentially exposed to electrical hazards and were not trained on the requirements of 29CFR 1926.416 (i.e. Safe Work Around Electrical Systems).  c) TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015 E. 12th Street, Erie, PA - On or about 2/22/22, and at times prior thereto, personnel were potentially exposed to electrical hazards and were not trained on the requirements of 29CFR 1926.417 (i.e. Electrical Lockout/Tagout).  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 22, 2022

Abate by

Sep 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.20(b)(2): The employer did not initiate and maintain a safety program which provides for frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment to be made by a competent person.    a.)  TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015 E. 12th Street, Erie, PA - On or about 2/22/22, and at times prior thereto, a competent person was not on site at the time an employee was removing electrical equipment and related components for a host employer.   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 22, 2022

Abate by

Sep 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,170 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.95(a):  Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, were not provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:  A.) TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015 E.12th Street, Erie, PA - On or about 2/22/22 and times prior thereto:  An employee was attempting to cut the conduit on a 480 volt live panel (E-3).  The electrical system was energized and personnel were working live.  The employee was not wearing a face shield or arc flash protection when working in the energized electrical panel.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 22, 2022

Abate by

Sep 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,170 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.416(a)(1):  Employees were permitted to work in proximity to electric power circuits and were not protected against electric shock by de-energizing and grounding the circuits or effectively guarding the circuits by insulation or other means:  a.) TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015 E. 12th Street, Erie, PA  -  On or about, 2/22/22 and times prior thereto, an employee was attempting to cut through electrical conduit during the decommission of a press in Building 12.  The electrical panel was not de-energized prior to the start of the work operations.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation.  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. IN ADDITION, abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic, or video evidence or abatement or other written records.

Issued

Aug 22, 2022

Abate by

Sep 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.416(a)(3):  Before work began, the employer did not ascertain by inquiry or direct observation, or by instruments, whether any part of an energized electric power circuit, exposed or concealed, was so located that the performance of the work may bring any person, tool, or machine into physical or electrical contact with the electric power circuit.  A.)  TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015  E.15th St, Erie, PA 16503  - On or about 2/22/22 and times prior thereto:  An employee was removing electrical components including, but not limited to, energized 480-volt wiring, low-voltage control wiring and conduit.  In the process of cutting the voltage control wiring, the employee cut through a concealed 480-volt wire that was energized.  The electrical system was not metered with instrumentation to determine whether any part of an energized electric power circuit was present.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 22, 2022

Abate by

Sep 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.417(b): Equipment or circuits that were de-energized did not have tags attached at all points where such equipment or circuits could be energized:   A.)  TJ Whipple Construction Company, Inc.; 1015  E.15th St, Erie, PA 16503  - On or about 2/22/22 and times prior thereto: an electrical injury occurred when an employee cut through conduit that housed live electrical.  An energy isolating device or circuit breakers were not tagged, locked out, or rendered inoperative by other effective means.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.