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OSHA News Release
2002 - 10/03/2002 - Failure To Ground Power Lines Contributes To Worker Death - L.E. Myers Company Enters Safety and Health Agreement With OSHA |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release USDOL: 02-199 Date: Thurs., Oct. 03, 2002 Contact: Lorette Post Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2076 Failure To Ground Power Lines Contributes To Worker Death L.E. Myers Company Enters Safety and Health Agreement With OSHA CROSSVILLE, Tenn. -- An electrical contractor's failure to ensure that power lines were properly grounded contributed to the electrocution death of an employee at TVA's Crossville Substation. The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's inspection of the fatality has led to a settlement in which L.E. Myers Company agreed to pay $105,000 in OSHA penalties and committed to safety improvements at job sites throughout the southeast. The accident that brought OSHA to the L.E. Myers job site occurred on April 2. An employee, working from an elevated basket, was electrocuted when he came in contact with an ungrounded incoming power line energized by a buildup of induced voltage. "This tragedy could have been avoided if the employer had simply left the grounds in place until all site work was completed in the substation," said Ron McGill, OSHA's Nashville area director. "Management at L.E. Myers was fully aware of OSHA requirements. Yet, workers were exposed to electrocution hazards and had not been trained in proper procedure and protection." In addition to paying the OSHA fine, L.E. Myers has hired a vice-president of safety and health with significant safety and health experience in the electrical transmission industry. Under the agreement, the company will also implement a comprehensive safety and health program, including accountability provisions and safety training for employees. L.E. Myers, based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., employs nearly 1200 workers, eight of whom were on the Crossville TVA site. Inspection of the Crossville accident was conducted by OSHA's Nashville area office -- 615-781-5423. ### U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
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