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Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA

Inspection Detail

Inspection: 119628998 - Xcel Erectors

Inspection Information - Office: Ca American Canyon District Office

 

Inspection Nr: 119628998
Report ID: 0950615
Date Opened: 05/12/2003

Site Address:
Xcel Erectors
Units 7 & 8 Dx Drive
Geyserville, CA 95541

Mailing Address:
7401 W 129th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213

Union Status: Union

SIC:1796

NAICS: 238220/ Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors


Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 11/10/2003

Planning Guide: Safety-Construction

Emphasis: S:Construction (Cship)

Case Closed: 02/21/2006


Related Activity
Type Activity Nr Safety Health
Accident 361600075
Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties Serious Willful Repeat Other Unclass Total
Initial Violations 1 1
Current Violations 1 1
Initial Penalty $16,200 $0 $0 $0 $0 $16,200
Current Penalty $16,200 $0 $0 $0 $0 $16,200
FTA Penalty $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Violation Items
# Citation ID Citaton Type Standard Cited Issuance Date Abatement Due Date Current Penalty Initial Penalty FTA Penalty Contest Latest Event Note
1. 01001 Serious 3314 A 11/10/2003 11/13/2003 $16,200 $16,200 $0 12/08/2003 F - Formal Settlement  

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 170838742
Event: 05/11/2003
Employee Killed By Cooling Tower Fan

At approximately, 12:25 p.m. on Sunday May 11, 2003, Employee #1, a carpentry foreman, was working in a fall protection harness and lanyard attached to the blade of the 29-ft-diameter cooling fan. Employee #1 was attaching a 5-ft disk over the hub of the blades. A coworker was assisting the foreman by holding the fan still with his body, preventing the up rising air current from spinning the blade. Other coworkers were attaching the closely fitting vertical shroud around the blades. Previously, the supervisor and the operator agreed they would start testing fans in the order according to their assigned numbers in Unit 8. Because of delays during the assembly of No. 1 cell, the foreman and supervisors agreed to comply with a request from the supervisor to finish cell No. 2, then go back and finish No. 1, because No. 2 was closer to completion. After cell No. 2 was completed the employees returned to cell No. 1 as directed and agreed with the supervisor's request to delay their lunch and complete No. 1, and the tests could proceed during their lunch break. The supervisors completed an inspection and "clearing" process of cell No. 2 and a supervisor contacted the operator in the control station in the next building (via radio) and told them to "stand by." The operator engaged the circuit controls mechanically and waited for the order to start the fan. Shortly afterward, a supervisor said "ok - start it up." The operator started the fan circuit as he was directed to do not knowing cell No. 1 had workers still in it. Employee #1 was fatally injured. A supervisor immediately realized his error upon hearing the nearby fan start and called via radio to stop the motor. The fan was energized by a 460-volt 150 GE electric motor.

Keywords:fan, fan blade, lockout, lanyard, fall protection

Investigated Inspection
# Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 119628998 Fatality Fracture Supervisors; carpenters and related workers
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