Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: PUNCTURE

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to impalement and/or puncture hazards: a)site - on or about 08/25/05 and 08/31/05, employees were observed exposed to impalement and/or puncture hazards when working overhead and/or moving around on the lower ground level in the immediate vicinity of 4 holes dug in the ground, approximately 4 feet square, approximately 12 inches deep with approximately 1 inch diameter white PVC pipe protruding and/or extending vertically approximately 18 - 24 inches above the bottom of the hole and approximately 8 - 12 inches above the surrounding ground surface while building a room addition at the Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine facility. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to provide appropriate physical guarding over the ends of the pipe extending out of the ground, appropriately barricade and/or cardon off the holes in the ground and post warning signs, train/ brief employees on the associated hazards and recognition of such, prohibit employees from accessing the hazardous area, and enforce established and/or applicable policies and procedures on job site safety. Reference: Construction industry recognition that protruding objects present impalement and/or puncture hazards when not adequately protected and/or guarded to prevent inadvertent and/or accidental contact or access.