Tuesday, November 9, 2010

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. – The OSHA investigation into the May 2010 accident at MCA Media in Graniteville has been completed and their report is released.

According to the document obtained by WRDW News 12, five citations were issued and MCA Media received fines totaling $10,875.

The OSHA report briefly described the accident stating that one employee was installing new wire conduit and breakers into a 480 volt breaker box in the back of the plant next to the shipping docks. The panel was live without a cover in place. Two other employees were hanging conduit near the area of the breaker box. All three employees met up about 3 feet from the panel. They all turned their backs to the panel and an arc flash occurred. All three were approximately 3-4 feet from the panel. The report says the employees received second degree burns. The panel was live to supply power to a manufacturing line.

The citations were for items such as not providing insulated tools; proper personal protection equipment not provided; employee not qualified to perform the electrical work; electrical safe work practices and procedures not provided; and proper training not provided for the three employees involved in the accident.

MCA Media has 20 days to contest the citations and fines, along with options to request informal or formal hearings.