Division of Labor and Industry

 

MOSH Instruction 11-6 - Local Emphasis Program (LEP) Electrocution Hazards in Construction

 
Subject: MOSH Instruction 11-6 - Local Emphasis Program (LEP) Electrocution Hazards in Construction
   
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
   
Issuance Date: October 1, 2011 
 
Cancellation: MOSH Instruction 10-11
   
Expiration Date: One year from the effective date, unless replaced earlier by a new Instruction.
   
Purpose: This Instruction establishes a Local Emphasis program for electrocution hazards in the construction industry.
 
Scope: This Instruction applies MOSH-wide.
   
References:  
   
Contact: Chief of MOSH Compliance Services
10946 Golden West Drive, Suite 160
Hunt Valley, MD. 21031
410-527-4499
See MOSH Website for Current Information
   
By and Under the Authority of: Eric M. Uttenreither, Assistant Commissioner
 

Background

Construction has long been recognized as a high hazard industry and is one of the industries targeted in MOSH's Five Year Strategic Plan. Accidents relating to electrocution hazards are one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities. It is believed through a local emphasis program that increases awareness and accelerates enforcement activity, injuries can be reduced. It is also recognized that a tracking mechanism for these type inspections would prove beneficial in monitoring the area of electrocution hazards. In the past, many un-programmed inspections have been conducted through CSHO self referrals, imminent danger complaints or through accident investigations. This LEP is designed to increase inspection activity, provide tracking, enhance expertise and formalize procedures.

Action

MOSH compliance personnel shall ensure that the procedures contained in this Instruction are followed when conducting this LEP. The Regional Offices will implement the procedures described in this Instruction in response to imminent dangers or serious electrocution hazards that are identified on construction sites. The Regional Supervisors shall use this LEP as a basis for scheduling and conducting safety inspections of construction sites. This LEP is intended to be used on any construction site where electrocution hazards have been alleged and/or identified to initiate safety inspections. These inspections shall be expanded to comprehensive inspections of multi-employer construction sites in accordance with the guidelines established in the FOM.

Procedures

  1. An inspection targeting system which encompasses identification of sites at the beginning of the quarter and the random selection of sites is not practical. Hazards related to electrocutions on construction sites are normally transient and of limited duration. This limits the practicality of targeting the site in advance. Therefore, inspections conducted under this LEP would be initiated by several means: Compliance Officer observance, non-formal complaints, and referrals from other outside sources.

  2. All work sites where electrocution hazards are observed by Compliance Officers will be selected for inspection under this LEP. Employee exposure to the electrocution hazard does not have to be observed, only the presence of a potential electrocution hazard needs to be observed to conduct an inspection. These sites shall include, but shall not be limited to:
    1. Heavy Equipment and Crane Operations;
    2. Aerial Lifts;
    3. Scaffold Usage;
    4. Electric Utilities;
    5. Other activities which constitute potential electrocution hazards and no protective systems are in use such as electrical installation activities, excavation activities, and site clearing.
  3. When a jobsite with potential electrocution hazards is noted during travel, the Compliance Officer shall notify the Supervisor with the name of the contractor (if known) and the location of the site. The Supervisor will determine if the site has been inspected within the last 30 days.
    1. If the site has not been inspected within the last 30 days, permission may be given to inspect the site. Compliance officers will record these inspections as planned inspections.
    2. If the site has been inspected within the last 30 days, an inspection will be authorized only if an imminent danger appears to be present or at the Regional Supervisor's discretion. These inspections will normally be limited to the imminent danger situation and other serious plain view hazards. The Compliance Officer will remain at the site to observe the abatement procedures and/or to recommend abatement methods. Compliance Officers will record these inspections as referral inspections.
  4. A large number of electrocution hazards are reported via referrals and complaints, both of a formal and a non-formal nature. Formal complaints of electrocution hazards on construction sites will continue to be scheduled before programmed inspections.
  5. The IMIS identifier code to be used in item 25c on the OSHA-1 will be "ELECTROCUTION HAZARDS IN CONSTRUCTION".

cc: J. Ronald DeJuliis, Commissioner, Division of Labor and Industry
Craig D. Lowry, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Labor and Industry
Jonathan Krasnoff, Assistant Attorney General
Office of Administrative Hearings

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