On March 9, 2009, Employee #1 was testing a newly-installed 6 in. steel fire protection water main. When it was pressurized with air, a 6 in. pipe cap flew off the end of the pipe and struck Employee #1’s forehead, killing him.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 5 |
| Current Violations | 3 | 3 |
| Initial Penalty | $13,550 | $13,550 |
| Current Penalty | $5,175 | $5,175 |
| FTA Penalty | $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 | 06/17/2009 | 06/29/2009 | $0 | $4,900 | $0 | 06/26/2009 | F – Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19260020 B01 | 06/17/2009 | 10/26/2009 | $750 | $750 | $0 | F – Formal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19260021 B02 | 06/17/2009 | 10/26/2009 | $3,675 | $4,900 | $0 | 06/26/2009 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19260100 A | 06/17/2009 | 06/29/2009 | $0 | $1,500 | $0 | 06/26/2009 | F – Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 5. | 01005A | Serious | 19260404 F07 IVC | 06/17/2009 | 06/29/2009 | $750 | $750 | $0 | F – Formal Settlement | ||
| 6. | 01005B | Serious | 19260405 G02 IV | 06/17/2009 | 06/29/2009 | $0 | $750 | $0 | 06/26/2009 | F – Formal Settlement |
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 were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by an unsecured plumbing end cap when performing pressure testing.
(a) Building # 2-1361, basement level, Fort Bragg, North Carolina:
On or about March 9, 2009, a 6 inch steel cap, with mechanical flanges, became disconnected, and became a projectile, while compressed air was used to test the piping system for leaks. Among others, a feasible and useful method of abatement would be to ensure the cap is secured prior to testing such as by following industry best practices by use of threaded rods and floor anchors or other approved restraint devices.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=311093728