Delta Gulf Corp. Chokes on Pipeline Safety

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Delta Gulf Corp., a Shreveport, LA-based contractor working on the construction of a natural gas pipeline in Northern Massachusetts, for five alleged willful violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act at two pipeline installation sites in Methuen, MA. The agency has proposed penalties totaling $290,000.

According to K. Frank Gravitt, OSHA area director for Middlesex and Essex counties, the alleged violations were discovered during two safety inspections initiated in August and October 1999, respectively, at excavations located near Route 213 in Methuen, and chiefly concern employees exposed to cave-in, crushing, and electrocution hazards.

The first inspection was initiated on Aug. 31, 1999, in response to an employee complaint about excavation safety hazards. OSHA inspectors found employees exposed to potential cave-in hazards from working in an inadequately protected trench box and from working in unprotected areas of an 8.5-foot deep excavation.

The workers were also exposed to crushing injuries from the unexpected movement of a side boom tractor or its load. In addition, employees faced the risk of falling from and being struck by moving pickup and flatbed trucks due to their riding in the backs of these trucks without benefit of seats and seatbelts.

The second inspection was begun on Oct. 29, 1999, and resulted from a report that a Caterpillar excavator had made contact with an energized overhead power line.

The inspection determined that an excavator had indeed struck a power line and that employees therefore had been exposed to electric shock hazards due to the contractor's failure to maintain a safe working distance from the power line and have the line de-energized, grounded, and shielded against accidental contact. In addition, workers were again exposed to cave-in hazards while working in unprotected areas of another 8.5-foot deep excavation.

"While all these citations address hazards that can cause death or serious injury, the excavation safety citations are the most disturbing since Delta Gulf was cited last year for seven similar violations following OSHA inspections of pipeline installation sites in Rockingham County in New Hampshire," said Gravitt. He added that the company had also been previously cited for violations involving overhead power lines and riding of unauthorized vehicles.

Noting that Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show that 36 workers died in construction-related cave-ins in 1998, Gravitt explained that OSHA standards require that any excavation five feet or more in depth must be protected against cave-ins. The unsupported walls of excavations can collapse without warning, cascading tons of soil and debris onto workers before they have time to react or escape. Although workers heads may be above the cave-in, the weight of the soil can press on their chests and suffocate them before they can be dug out.

He also reminded employers that a trench box is an accepted means of protection but only if it is properly designed, constructed and used, and employees do not work in unprotected sections of the excavation.

"There's no excuse for these hazards existing in the first place and even less for their reoccurrence," he said. "The fact no fatalities or serious injuries occurred here in no way absolves this employer of the responsibility of supplying and maintaining these baseline, commonsense, and mandated safeguards for workers."

As a result of the inspections, Delta Gulf is being cited for five alleged willful violations, the most severe citation OSHA can issue, with proposed fines totaling $290,000 for:

• Exposing employees to cave-in hazards while working in unprotected areas of an 8.5-foot deep excavation and while working in an inadequately protected trench box in the excavation.
• Exposing employees to cave-in hazards while working in unprotected areas of an 8.5-foot deep excavation.
• Exposing employees to crushing injuries due to unexpected movement of a side-boom tractor and/or its load.
• Exposing employees to electric shock hazards when an excavator came in contact with an energized overhead power line.
• Exposing employees to the hazard of falling from and being struck by moving vehicles while riding in the backs of pickup and forklift trucks without seats or seat belts.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.

Edited by Sandy Smith