Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 the hazard of being struck by fragments of plastic pipe used to transport comprsse air for the operation of pneumatic wrenches and similar tools in the event th pipe ruptures: (a) Maintenance Area: Along the north wall at about 3 feet in height, 1" polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe was used to transport compressed air at approximately 125 psi, in exposed above ground location, for operation of various pneumatic tools. This practice is not recommended by the Plastic Pipe Institute and prohibited by ANSI/ASME B31-8-1986, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems Standard. This condition exposes employees to the hazard of flying fragments, on or about 10/31/91. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to replace the PVC piping with a type of pipe approved for transporting compressed gasses in exposed above ground locations, such as iron or steel piping.