Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A 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: a.Maintenance employees who routinely perform tasks such as equipment PM's (amperage draws), checking voltages at fuses and contacts, replacing fuses, replacing breakers, troubleshooting motors and checking (and replacing) power feed lines on die tip heater(s) were exposed to potential electrical hazards such as shock, burn, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast, while working on energized electrical systems of up to 480 Volts. The employees did not wear all necessary electrical personal protective equipment such as face shields, safety glasses, and were not utilizing all the necessary specialized tools, barriers , shields or insulating materials to protect against all potential electrical hazards. No adequate hazard analysis (such as a flash hazard analysis as described in NFPA 70E ("Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces" (2000 Edition) Section 2-1.3.3)) had been conducted to determine whether the potential hazards of the work to be performed (such as shock, electrocution, arc blast, and arc flash) warranted the use of any, or all such personal protective equipment, specialized tools, barriers, shields or insulating materials. Feasible means of abatement could have been achieved by conducting a Flash Hazard Analysis in accordance with NFPA 70E Section 2- 1.3.3 (or its equivalent) and providing for, and requiring, the use of the necessary personal protective equipment as determined following that analysis.