Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: ELECTRIC

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to hazards of shocks and electrocution: a) On or about March 15, 1990, and at times prior thereto at Switch Cabinet number 3, located on the east side of Chestnut Street and on the north side of the Coheco River in Dover, NH, foremen, linemen, and electricians were exposed to shocks and possible electrocution while troubleshooting underground distribution cabes in that the employees with no protective equipment were permitted to approach electrical conductors which were live or where the condition of the conductors was not known. ABATEMENT: A feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to permit only the minimum number of qualified persons, and preferably one person, with appropriate protective equipment, to approach the hazardous area and all others maintain the minimum established distances for the voltage being worked.