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

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 following condition(s): a) Avondale Industries Inc, 5100 River Rd, Avondale LA - WAGB Healey CGS-20, Starboard Boiler Room. For the period of time up to and including 13 Aug 99, the employer did not verify and assure that their Control of Hazardous Energy program was effective and understood by all employees at their facility. This condition exposed employees to the hazards and injuries related to the sudden and unexpected release of energy. Instances: a)According to ANSI Z244.1-1982 "American National Standard for personnel protection-lockout/tagout of energy sources-minimum safety requirements" paragraph 3.2.2: "PERIODIC INSPECTIONS. It shall be the responsibility of the employer to verify, through periodic inspections, the organization's compliance with this standard." The employer did not conduct annual inspections of its lockout/tagout procedures to assure the adequacy of the procedures and assure that employees were competent. b)According to ANSI Z244.1-1982 "American National Standard for personnel protection-lockout/tagout of energy sources-minimum safety requirements" paragraph 3.3.1-3: "3.3.1 ALL EMPLOYEES. All employees shall be specifically notified of the requirements for compliance with the employer's policy and specifically made aware of the lockout/tagout procedure. 3.3.2 AFFECTED EMPLOYEES. The employer shall ensure that each affected employee is instructed in the purpose and use of the lockout/tagout procedure. 3.3.3 AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS. All authorized individuals shall receive training in recognition of the applicable hazardous energy sources and in adequate methods and means for their isolation." The employer did not provide adequate lockout/tagout training/re-training to employees that are effected and/or are required to utilize lockout/tagout devices. Pipefitters were not trained to lock or tagout operating systems (steam lines) that were being worked on, but were to rely on others to lock or tagout the system. c)According to ANSI Z244.1-1982 "American National Standard for personnel protection-lockout/tagout of energy sources-minimum safety requirements" paragraph 5.1.1 NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL. All personnel affected by the lockout/tagout shall be notified of the lockout/tagout application." Employees were not notified by supervisory personnel that work was going to be performed on a operating system (steam line) prior to the work being conducted. d)According to ANSI Z244.1-1982 "American National Standard for personnel protection-lockout/tagout of energy sources-minimum safety requirements" paragraph 5.2.4 "VERIFICATION OF ISOLATION. One or both of the following actions shall be accomplished after lockout/tagout application to determine if the operation of the energy isolating devices has in fact produced the required isolation of the equipment/process. (1) Operate the equipment/process operating controls...to determine that the energy isolation has been effective. (2) Test the equipment/process by use of appropriate test equipment and/or visual inspection to determine that the energy isolation has been effective." Employees working on a operating system (steam line) did not verify that the system had been isolated prior to the work commencing. Employees assumed that the system (steam line) had been locked or tagged out do to training provided them. e)According to ANSI Z244.1-1982 "American National Standard for personnel protection-lockout/tagout of energy sources-minimum safety requirements" paragraph 6.5 "COORDINATION (SHIFT/SCHEDULE CHANGE). Provisions shall be made to ensure the continuity of lockout/tagout protection during shift or personnel change. Specific procedures shall be developed for such situations." Employees of the two shifts involved did not both lock or tag out the system (steam line) to be worked on. Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards are to: a)Conduct random annual inspections of the lockout/tagout procedures throughout the facility to assure that the procedures are being understood and followed by employees and make necessary changes/updates to the procedures. b)Train all employees in lockout/tagout procedures that may be required to work on a system that would have to be locked out. c)If work is to be performed on a operating system, establish a procedure that incorporates a written record of notification between various crafts and prohibit verbal notifications. d)Prior to the commencement of any work on a operating system, physical verification of the system being isolated must be made. e)Each crew/shift etc that works on a operating system or has ultimate control over that system must apply appropriate isolation devices to assure that the system cannot be energized.