Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 the condition(s) listed below: For the period of time up to and including 12/06/05, employees were not protected from electrical hazards due to the following conditions: a)Two circuit breaker panel boxes had openings in them where circuit breakers had been removed, exposing employees to possible contact with the conductors inside. b)A cover was missing on a circuit breaker panel box. c)A Square D motor control breaker was mounted in a Cutler Hamner enclosure, which had the front cut with a torch to accommodate the motor control. This left openings along the edges which permitted the entry of dust. d)Several switch boxes in the motor control area had openings where switches had been moved or removed, which permitted the entry of dust. Under the National Electric Code (NEC 2005), Article 547.6 states "Switches, including pushbuttons, relays, and similar devices, receptacles, circuit breakers, controllers, and fuses shall be provided with enclosures as specified in 547.5(C)." Under the National Electric Code (NEC 2005), Article 547.5(C)(1) states "Equipment enclosures, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings installed in areas of buildings where excessive dust may be present shall be designed to minimize the entrance of dust and shall have not openings (such as holes for attachment screws) through which dust could enter the enclosure. One feasible and acceptable abatement method would be to ensure all electrical equipment is installed / maintained in accordance with Article 547 of the National Electric Code. "Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must provide documentation that this violation has been abated within 10 calendar days after the abatement date."ent