Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001B Hazard: BURNS

Section 59A)(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 hazards of being burned due to the ignition of pyrotechnic shells. At the fireworks barge #D930687, on or about 07-03-97, five employees were exposed to the hazards of being burned due to the ignition of three-inch through six-inch pyrotechnic shells without the presence of suitable protection. One employee was using a road flare to manually discharge mortars of comparable caliber along the upper starboard side of the barge. The four other employees were working in the immediate area. A suitable barrier between the shooter, employees, and the mortars was not provided. A barrier did not exist around the individual mortar batteries. One method of abatement to correct this apparent hazard is to erect barriers composed of sand bags or other suitable materials between the shooter and the mortars as required by NFPA 1123, paragraph 2-3.4. DISCLAIMER: a) The employer is not limited to the abatement method(s) suggested by OSHA. b) The employer is responsible for selecting and implementing an effective abatement method. ***THIS ITEM REQUIRES A WRITTEN CERTIFICATION OF ABATEMENT***