OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
February 14, 2000
| MEMORANDUM FOR: |
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS
STATE DESIGNEES
CONSULTATION PROGRAM MANAGERS |
| THROUGH: |
R. DAVIS LAYNE
Deputy Assistant Secretary
JEROLD R. MANDE
Deputy Assistant Secretary |
| FROM: |
STEVEN F. WITT
Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Hazard Information Bulletin(1) Wells Manufacturing Company's
Model H-006 Hotplates (Revised) |
Purpose: The purpose of this Hazard Information Bulletin is:
- to alert users of Wells Manufacturing Company's Model H-006 Hotplates (coffee
warmers) that specific hotplates may not be properly grounded as installed, and, as a
result, may pose an electrical shock hazard;
- to inform the users of the subject hotplates of the corrective actions taken by Wells
Manufacturing Company; and
- to provide recommendations for all employers that own the subject model hotplates.
Background:
The Boston Regional Office brought to our attention the fact that the metal switch plate on Model H-006 electric hotplates, manufactured by Wells Manufacturing Company, may be improperly grounded
as installed, thus exposing employees to the potential for electric shock.
It is the understanding of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (O.S.H.A.) that the Wells
Manufacturing Company Model H-006 hotplates are installed exclusively in the coffee stations of
numerous Dunkin' Donuts shops. On February 18, 1999, Allied Domecq Retailing USA, parent
company of Dunkin' Donuts, sent out a memorandum to all Dunkin' Donuts shops informing them that
the Wells Manufacturing Model H-006 Hotplate metal face plate for the ON/OFF toggle switch may
not be properly grounded as installed. The memorandum urged shop owners to have a licensed
electrician inspect the switch plate to ensure that it was properly grounded and that all other applicable
code requirements were being met.
Description of Hazard:
The Model H-006 hotplates are built into counter tops and the exposed non-current-carrying metal
switch plate, which secures the hotplate power switch to the counter front, has been found to be
installed without proper grounding. The problem toggle switches can be identified by the presence of
an Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) Recognized Component Mark on them (the toggle switches are
not U.L. listed).
Corrective Actions by Allied Domecq and Wells Manufacturing:
On August 18, 1999, Allied Domecq sent a memorandum to all affected shops detailing its corrective
action plan. The company, working with Wells Manufacturing and millwork suppliers, told users that to
correct any possible wiring deficiencies, the existing hotplate must be removed and replaced with a new
U.L. Listed Wells Manufacturing Model H-006 U.L. hotplate and switch assembly.
Wells Manufacturing Company is currently contacting all affected shops in the United States. All the
subject problem hotplates will be replaced. Their goal is to replace all of the subject hotplates in
Massachusetts by December 31, 1999 and in all shops in the United States by March 1, 2000.
Recommendations:
Even though a massive replacement program was promptly launched, it will take several months to
complete. In the meantime, in order to assure the safety of all employees, OSHA recommends that all
employers that have Wells Manufacturing Company's Model H-006 built-in hotplates installed at their
facilities have licensed electricians inspect the wiring connection of the hotplates to ensure that the metal
switch plate is properly grounded. If the hotplates are not properly grounded, they either should be
taken out of service or appropriate steps taken to correct the hazard.
Please distribute this bulletin to all Area Offices and appropriate local labor and industry associations.
Footnote (1) The Directorate of Technical Support issues Hazard Information Bulletins (HIB) in accordance with OSHA
Instruction CPL 2.65 to provide relevant information regarding unrecognized or misunderstood health hazards, inadequacies of
materials, devices, techniques, and safety engineering controls. HIBs are initiated based on information provided by the field
staff, studies, reports and concerns expressed by safety and health professionals, employers, and the public. Bulletins are
developed based on a thorough evaluation of available facts and in coordination with appropriate parties.
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