On Sept. 17, 2012, a worker employed by Highway Technologies Inc. was fatally injured while working with equipment that came into contact with overhead power lines during highway work in western Wisconsin. OSHA issued 10 safety violations with proposed penalties totaling $448,000 and placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

Highway Technologies Inc. was performing guardrail and sign installation for a 13-mile stretch of I-94 near Menomonie, Wis., under contract with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation when the incident occurred.

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bender Enterprises Inc., based in Union, with three repeat violations for continuing to expose workers to electrical hazards at a Fort Lee work site. OSHA’s June investigation was initiated following a referral from the Fort Lee Police Department when a worker was injured while servicing an electrical panel. Proposed penalties total $41,580.

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Knoxville Police said a KUB contract worker was killed by a high voltage electric shock on a construction site shortly after noon Monday.

W&O Construction Company, Inc. employee was working at KUB Kuwahee Wastewater Treatment Plant when the incident occurred. Knoxville Fire Department said it appears the workers were trying to lift a piece of metal with a crane, when something hit the power lines. Investigators are still working to figure out what exactly hit the line.

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Salt Lake City-based Certifit Inc. with two repeat and one serious violation from an August follow-up inspection for continuing to expose workers to fall and electrical hazards at the company’s San Antonio work site on Sonterra Boulevard. Proposed penalties total $71,500.

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited AAA Professional Lawn Care Inc. for seven alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards in connection with the July 30 death of a worker who was performing tree trimming work at 5 Country View Drive in Johnston. The worker was fatally shocked when the aluminum pruner he was using came into contact with an energized 7,200-volt overhead power line.

An investigation by OSHA’s Providence Area Office found that the employer failed to de-energize or ground the power line before the work was begun, as well as to provide protective shields, barriers or insulating materials to protect workers from shocks, burns or other electrical-related injuries. In addition, the pruner was not insulated and was used within 10 feet of the power line, the employee lacked both proper training and protective gloves, and the employer did not institute work practices to reduce the electrical hazard. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

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A contractor, doing business as Modern Painting and Decorating, has been sentenced to one year of probation after being found guilty of the willful violation of an OSHA regulation. Thomas Caruso, the contractor, hired Paul Thompson to paint the Habitat for Humanity building in New Kensington, PA. After being given a brief warning about the power lines that run close to the building, Paul was sent to the roof to paint with no further safety training and no protective gear. When his extended painting pole came in to contact with the power lines, he was fatally electrocuted.

For a more detailed account of the incident, please view the link above.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Atlanta-based The Home Depot Inc. for two repeat and one serious safety violations for exposing employees to electrical hazards at a Chicago store. OSHA opened an inspection in July that was prompted by a referral about blocked electrical panels in the store. Proposed fines total $69,300.

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A Canton-based heavy equipment operator has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards while working on the Hine Bridge replacement project in Amesbury. Barletta Heavy Division Inc. faces proposed fines of $91,000 following a March incident in which one of its cranes struck an overhead power line, injuring a worker.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Interstate Electrical Services, a North Billerica electrical contractor, for alleged willful and serious violations following a November 2011 arc flash blast at an Andover jobsite. Two workers installing electrical service were seriously burned when a piece of equipment made contact with an energized part of an electrical panel, resulting in the arc flash.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited American Showa Inc. with 13 safety and health violations – including two willful violations for assigning maintenance personnel to work on energized equipment without personal protective gear and failing to train workers to recognize unsafe electrical work practices. Proposed fines total $151,300.

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