Workers Exposed to Electrical Hazards at CO Energy Company
OSHA Cites a Colorado-based company for $75,000 for allegedly exposing workers to electrical hazards
OSHA has cited a Colorado-based company, Black Hills Corp. (doing business as Black Hills Energy) for allegedly exposing workers to electrical hazards, according to a press release from their website. The company received two safety violations, one of which was willful, after an employee came in contact with an energized power line while doing repairs and sustained serious injuries.
According to the press release, when workers responded to a power interruption during a summer thunderstorm, they were exposed to electrical shock hazards. They were exposed to them when they entered the minimum approach distance without protective safety measures in place. Of five lines being worked on, only one was deenergized, which resulted in the $70,000 fine for failure to ensure workers were protected from energized overhead electrical lines while making repairs.
The remaining $5,000 fine was issued for failure to conduct an adequate briefing to inform employees of the potential hazards associated with the job, as well as work procedures, special precautions, energy source controls and required PPE.
For more information, visit OSHA.gov.