If we asked 100 people if 35 psig is a lethal pressure, how many do you think would answer yes? Those who UNDERSTAND PSI/PSIG know that we can not answer that question without knowing the VOLUME of air being used. Maybe 35 psig is not lethal when it’s inside a sewing thimble…
But when that same pressure is achieved in a 24″ pipe plug, the amount of energy certainly becomes lethal.
At 1:50 p.m. on November 10, 2017, an employee, 27, installed an inflatable pipe plug in a 24-inch stormwater line to stop the flow of water from an adjacent pond. The employees had just inflated the plug to 35 psig using an electric compressor with a regulator and gauge on the manifold and air supply line, which had its own gauge and shutoff valve, and was connected to the pipe plug with a quick-disconnect fitting. The employee was using a shovel to clean around the pipe in preparation for repair when the inflatable pipe plug exploded and struck the employee. The employee was killed due to blunt force trauma from the sudden expulsion of air and water pressure resulting from the failure of the pipe plug.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $21,988 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $21,988 |
| Current Penalty | $17,592 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $17,592 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 03/19/2018 | 03/27/2018 | $10,348 | $12,934 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19260021 B02 | 03/19/2018 | 03/29/2018 | $7,244 | $9,054 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement |
OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed a fall hazard: On or about November 10, 2017, at the job site located at 9748 Pavarotti Terrace, Boynton Beach, FL 33473, the employees were exposed to struck-by hazards after installing pipe plugs and over pressurizing the plugs.
29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury: On or about November 10, 2017, at the job site located at 9748 Pavarotti Terrace, Boynton Beach, FL 33473, the employer did not instruct employees about the hazards associated with using inflatable pipe plugs over the maximum recommended pressure and avoiding exposure to the Danger Zone.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=100620.015