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 electrocution and shock hazards: A) Galvin Road, Bentley Creek, PA - linemen and groundmen were exposed to electrocution and shock hazards when working 7200 volt high voltage overhead electric lines in that no systematic means such as an apprenticeship program had been established to ensure proficiency, November 1, 1990. Among other methods, one feasbile and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to establish a registered apprenticeship program that includes the following elements: PROGRAM PLANNING: 1) Organization of an advisory group made up of company management qualified electrician supervisors, and skilled workers. 2) Develop an inventory of knowledge and skills needed for the journeyman electrician and groundman and other occupations. alternatively, adopt published standards. 3) Communicate the intent of the program to existing staff to obtain necessary cooperation of already trained workers and supervisors who will be required to provide direction and supervision on the job. 4) Arrange for necessary classroom instruction with a vocational school; school or similar technical educational institution. 5) Appoint an apprenticeship supervisor to maintain standards of training prescribed by the advisory group. 6) Document the apprenticeship standards with the assistance of a state or federal apprenticeship registration agency. 7) Register the program with a recognized state program or with the bureau of apprenticeship and training of the united stated department of labor. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: 1) Establish standards for minimum age and educational levels for candidates. 2) In cooperation with the registration agency, determine the major work processes for each occupation. establish a schedule of supervised work processes in which the apprentice is to receive training and experience. 3) In cooperation with the registration agency, establish a schedule of organized instruction of at least 144 hours per year of training. 4) Establish and maintain a minimum acceptable ratio of apprentices to skilled workers. 5) Establish a system for periodic evaluation of progress of the apprentice in class and job performance. 6) Establish a system for recording the progress of each participant.