Hoover Dam Manager Issued 58 Violations
OSHA's release noted that a federal agency receives a notice of an unhealthful or unsafe working condition, which is equivalent to a private-sector citation.
OSHA has filed 50 alleged serious and eight alleged repeat safety and health violations after an investigation at the Hoover Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant located near Las Vegas. The U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Reclamation operates the power plant. "We are concerned to have found this number of serious safety and health violations at the Hoover Dam plant," said Ken Atha, OSHA's regional administrator in San Francisco. "We expect to work closely with the agency to rectify these deficiencies and provide a safe and healthful work environment for employees." The bureau has 15 business days after receiving the notices to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or appeal to Atha.
According to OSHA's news release, the serious safety and health violations include fall and electrical hazards, no required guards on machinery, inadequate PPE, lead contamination, potential overexposure to hexavalent chromium, failing to properly maintain and inspect firefighting equipment, failing to provide unobstructed access to emergency exits, and insufficient lockout/tagout procedures. The eight repeat violations include failing to anchor a drill press, implement proper machine guarding, correct multiple electrical violations, and properly mount and maintain portable fire extinguishers.
OSHA's release noted that a federal agency receives a notice of an unhealthful or unsafe working condition, which is equivalent to a private-sector citation.