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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 conditions listed below: a) Corner of Marshall and Fort Streets, Plaquemine, LA. On or about 18 Jan 99, the employer did not locate all the underground utility lines prior the start of asphalt reclamation from Marshall St. The employer was using a CMI Model RS-500B Reclaimer/Stabilizer, s/n 526-332 to grind/chop the existing asphalt roadway when the "cutter" struck and ruptured a 4 inch gas line that crossed under Marshall St. The gas line was approximately 14 inches below the existing asphalt surface of the roadway. The rupture resulted in the operator of the equipment being exposed to the hazards and injuries related to fire. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard would be to: 1. In addition to the standard procedures for locating utility lines, utilize a probe (metal detector, ultrasonics, etc) to find utility lines that may not be identified on existing drawings maintained by city agencies or utility companies.