U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2002 - 09/27/2002 - Recognition of Electrical Hazards at Sarasota Job Site Results in New Effective Safety Program |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Region 4 News Release USDOL: 02-198 Date: Thurs., Oct. 03, 2002 Contact: Lorette Post Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (404) 562-2076 (404) 562-2076 Recognition of Electrical Hazards at Sarasota Job Site Results in New Effective Safety Program SARASOTA, Fla. -- An L.E. Myers Company crew performing electrical work without proper grounding at a Sarasota job site led to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation that may help prevent future employee exposure to similar hazardous conditions. An OSHA inspection of the worksite resulted in an agreement committing the L.E. Myers Company to safety improvements at company job sites in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee. After observing hazards at the site where Myers employees were installing new conductors for Miami-based Florida Power and Light, OSHA initiated an inspection on March 28 as part of a southeastern Local Emphasis Program for Energized Overhead Powerlines. "The company had received formal instruction about grounding requirements from Florida Power and Light and had their own safety manual but failed to implement its provisions," said Les Grove, OSHA's Tampa area director. "Today's agreement assures that safety will be on the job and not just on the books." The company, he noted, has already hired a vice-president of safety and health with significant safety and health experience in the electrical transmission industry. In addition, under the agreement, a comprehensive safety and health program will be implemented, including accountability provisions and safety training for employees. The company also agreed to pay $135,000 in penalties for failing to determine existing conditions prior to starting work on a live wire, failing to ascertain whether dangerous induced voltage buildups would occur and failing to protect employees from electrocution hazards at the Sarasota site. Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based L.E. Myers employs nearly 1200 workers, eight of whom were on the Sarasota worksite. ###
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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