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Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2003 - 06/25/2003 - OSHA Fines Deer Island Sewage Treatment Plant Contractor For Alleged Safety Violations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Region 1 BOS 2003-129 June 25, 2003 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Fines Deer Island Sewage Treatment Plant
Contractor For Alleged Safety Violations Two Workers Burned In January Explosion BOSTON, Mass. -- An explosion at the Deer Island sewage treatment plant that injured two contractor employees might have been prevented if safety standards were followed for working in confined spaces that contain flammable gas, according to citations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA's area office in Braintree, which investigated the Jan. 14 the accident, has fined Advanced Pipe Inspection, Inc. of Boston $45,500 for 13 alleged serious violations of standards. The company had been hired by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to clean clogged overflow pipes in the plant's sewage digesters. "OSHA standards are designed to protect workers from the hazards of working in confined spaces, " said OSHA Area Director Brenda Gordon. "These standards must be strictly followed to avoid accidents." OSHA's citations chiefly address deficiencies in the safeguards taken for working in overflow boxes that provide access to the pipes. The overflow boxes contained unsafe levels of flammable gas. According to OSHA's citations, Advanced Pipe Inspection failed to identify and evaluate confined space and other hazards in the work area, did not develop and implement procedures for eliminating or controlling flammable gases, and did not adequately inform or train employees about these hazards. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. A summary of the citations is attached. # # # OSHA Citations & Proposed Penalties Advanced Pipe Inspection Inc. of Boston, Mass. Worksite: MWRA Deer Island sewage digesters - Winthrop, Mass. Thirteen alleged serious violations, with $45,500 in proposed fines, for:
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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