On May 4, 2013, Employee #1, a 40-year-old male construction worker was blinded by a test plug that burst while conducting a leak test on a new 4″ diameter sewer line which was made of cast iron. Employee #1 said that he inserted a 2″ diameter by 2′ long test plug into the new cast iron sewer pipe. Employee #1 inflated the test plug with air using a compressor with a defective gauge. Later Employee #1 put water into the sewer line but a leak was still apparent.
Employee #1 decided to add more air into the test plug. A few moments later with the face of Employee #1 close to the pipe, the plug exploded.
The upper portion of the test plug flew back to his face and seriously injured both his eyes. The lower portion of the plug went in the sewer line.
Employee #1 was transported to Highland Hospital where he was treated and discharged on May 22, 2013 with both eyes blinded.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| Current Violations | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Initial Penalty | $24,750 | $0 | $5,700 | $30,450 |
| Current Penalty | $13,950 | $0 | $5,350 | $19,300 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citation Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 342 A | 10/01/2013 | 10/04/2013 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | 10/28/2013 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 3328 C | 10/01/2013 | 10/19/2013 | $0 | $350 | $0 | 10/28/2013 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01003 | Other | 1509 A | 10/01/2013 | 10/19/2013 | $350 | $350 | $0 | 10/28/2013 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 02001 | Serious | 3301 C | 10/01/2013 | 10/04/2013 | $3,150 | $10,800 | $0 | 10/28/2013 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 5. | 03001 | Serious | 3328 A | 10/01/2013 | 10/04/2013 | $10,800 | $10,800 | $0 | 10/28/2013 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 6. | 04001 | Serious | 3380 A | 10/01/2013 | 10/04/2013 | $0 | $3,150 | $0 | 10/28/2013 | F – Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=315321869