Arc flash in SC, OSHA issues fines

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zog said:
SC company fined >$10k following arc flash accident. This is a common senario, small company thinks they do not need PPE, procedures, or training to work in LV panel.



http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/OSHA_completes_investigation_of_MCA_Media_accident_106960329.html
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Not just small companies. Our guys just recently purchased PPE for electrical work for the first time. Prior to getting anything, they were just wearing safety glasses and ear plugs.

I recently found two employees working inside a live 277-480v 3 phase panel with zero PPE on. I asked them if they should have any PPE while working within the panel and they just laughed at me and said "no, I've been doing this for 30 years."

This is the mentality of the electricians and supervision at our facility, and there's nothing I can do about it but keep giving them recommendations to fix the situation. :confused:
 
WorkSafe said:
Not just small companies. Our guys just recently purchased PPE for electrical work for the first time. Prior to getting anything, they were just wearing safety glasses and ear plugs.

I recently found two employees working inside a live 277-480v 3 phase panel with zero PPE on. I asked them if they should have any PPE while working within the panel and they just laughed at me and said "no, I've been doing this for 30 years."

This is the mentality of the electricians and supervision at our facility, and there's nothing I can do about it but keep giving them recommendations to fix the situation. :confused:
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Pretty common response, but the real issue is why are they working on it at all while energized? PPE or no PPE you still need to justify doing energized "work". Procedures and training are required by OSHA to be in place.
 
Totally agree with you. Their response to working live is typical, "don't want to slow down production."

OSHA is ineffective here as well. Since we are a federal facility, our management just has to email OSHA if someone files a complaint and tell them everything is just fine and OSHA believes it and closes the complaint.

It's very frustrating when they hire me and my coworkers to ensure compliance, and when we tell them they are not compliant, they go on the defensive.

Sorry to take this thread off topic, had to vent a bit.
 
WorkSafe said:
OSHA is ineffective here as well. Since we are a federal facility, our management just has to email OSHA if someone files a complaint and tell them everything is just fine and OSHA believes it and closes the complaint.
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The USPS has been fined over a million dollars this year (Several different locations) for not following OSHA and 70E, google it.

WorkSafe said:
It's very frustrating when they hire me and my coworkers to ensure compliance, and when we tell them they are not compliant, they go on the defensive.

Sorry to take this thread off topic, had to vent a bit.
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I can see that being frustrating, don't you have any authority to do anything? Like giving a cop an empty gun IMO.
 
This came over my alert about 5 minutes after I posted the last post.

US Labor Department's OSHA proposes $287,000 in fines against US Postal
Service in Bluefield, W.Va., for exposing workers to electrical hazards


The willful violations cite the facility's failure to label electrical cabinets, properly train employees, use safety-related work practices when exposed to energized electrical parts and provide proper electrical protective equipment. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=18708
 
zog said:
The USPS has been fined over a million dollars this year (Several different locations) for not following OSHA and 70E, google it.
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Yes, they are always getting fined. Problem is, I work for the DoD so OSHA cannot levy any monetary fines.

We don't have the authority to do much except advice supervisors and employees on regulations. For the most part though, they do listen and heed our advice, but when it comes to this group (the electricians and equipment technicians), they are a different breed.
 
WorkSafe said:
Yes, they are always getting fined. Problem is, I work for the DoD so OSHA cannot levy any monetary fines.

We don't have the authority to do much except advice supervisors and employees on regulations. For the most part though, they do listen and heed our advice, but when it comes to this group (the electricians and equipment technicians), they are a different breed.
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Well I would issue your "advice" in writing because if someone gets hurt you know who they will be comming for :)
 
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