At 4:00 p.m. on April 14, 2023, an employee, 23, working for a structural sheet metal manufacturer, was performing hydrostatic testing on an air-conditioned heat exchanger. A plug failed under pressure, striking the employee. The employee was killed after being impaled in the chest by the plug.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $10,938 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10,938 |
| Current Penalty | $8,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $8,500 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 10/11/2023 | 10/30/2023 | $8,500 | $10,938 | I – Informal 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 struck-by hazards during pressure testing operations:
On or about April 14, 2023, and at times prior to, pressure testing on equipment, including but not limited to air-cooled heat exchangers (ACHE), exposed employees in the vicinity of the test area to struck-by hazards from plugs, fittings, and other projectiles.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.violation_detail?id=1663973.015&citation_id=01001