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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 101432060 - Texas New Mexico Power Company
Inspection Information - Office: Fort Worth Area Office
Site Address:
Texas New Mexico Power Company
1304 N. Ave. G, (N. Hwy. 6)
Clifton, TX 76634
Mailing Address:
2 Miles N. Of Meridian, Hwy. 144, Meridian, TX 76634
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:4911
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 09/26/1988
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 12/15/1988
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360344519 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $1,400 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,400 |
| Current Penalty | $1,400 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,400 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19260955 A02 | 11/21/1988 | 12/02/1988 | $800 | $800 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19260955 A04 | 11/21/1988 | 12/02/1988 | $600 | $600 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
A utility pole was being retired after about 60 years in service. The company had tested the integrity of the pole by sounding it, that is, the pole was struck above ground with a hammer, and the resulting sounds were evaluated. The pole was determined to be solid with this method despite the fact that the company's safety manual required digging 254 millimeters below ground level and sounding, with further checks based on the quality of the initial testing. This rule had been routinely violated for several years. Two power line workers climbed this pole to release the overhead power lines it supported. The pole, which was guyed on the side opposite to where the lines were attached, was rotten just below ground level. When the employees released the tension on the pole from the power lines, the pole shifted and broke where it had rotted. Both employees fell to the ground. One of them died of his injuries. The other employee sustained injuries for which he was hospitalized.
Keywords: DISMANTLING, POWER LINE WORKER, WORK RULES, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, ELEC UTILITY WORK, FALL, UTILITY POLE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101432060 | Fatality | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Electrical power installers and repairers | ||
| 2 | 101432060 | Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Electrical power installers and repairers |