PCCA Journal|2
nd
Quarter 2010
15
T
o help protect worker safety
in the power construction
industry, OSHA recently
published the “Electric Power
Generation, Transmission, and
Distribution Standard” eTool. This
eTool addresses OSHA’s standard
and explains preventive measures
for protecting workers’ safety and
health, such as providing personal
protective equipment, using lockout/
tagout procedures to prevent startup
of energized equipment, and follow-
ing safety requirements when work-
ing on or near power lines. OSHA’s
eTools are stand-alone, interactive
web-based training tools on topics
that include modules for answering
questions and providing advice on
how OSHA regulations apply to us-
ers’ worksites.
Workers in the electric power
industry are potentially exposed to
a variety of serious hazards, such as
arc flashes, electric shock, falls, and
thermal burn hazards that can cause
injury and death. This eTool seeks to
inform employers of their obligations
to develop the appropriate hazard
prevention and control methodolo-
gies designed to prevent workplace
injuries and illnesses. Employers
are required to implement the safe
work practices and worker train-
ing requirements of OSHA’s Electric
Power Generation, Transmission
and Distribution Standard, 29 CFR
1910.269. The eTool also informs
workers engaged in the generation,
transmission, and distribution of
electric power on the steps their
employers must implement in order
to provide them with a safe and
healthful work environment. Not all
the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.269
are covered, however.
Sections of the eTool include
Generation vs. Transmission and
Distribution, Medical Services and
First Aid, Hazard Assessment and Job
Briefing, Energized vs. Deenergized
Work, Hazardous Energy Control,
Grounding for Employee Protection,
Personal Protective Equipment, Insu-
lating Protective Equipment, Enclosed
Spaces and Working Underground,
Overhead Line Work, Illustrated Glos-
sary, and Glossary of Terms.
Find the eTool at www.osha.gov/
SLTC/etools/electric_power/index.
html, or just type “electric etool” in
the search box at www.osha.gov and
it will be the first option.
Safety News
OSHA Unveils eTool for the Electric Power Industry
OSHA Levies Heavy
Whistleblower Penalty
T
he U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safe-
ty and Health Administration has ordered e-Smart
Technologies Inc. to pay back wages with interest
and approximately $600,000 in compensatory
damages to a California worker who was discharged
after raising concerns about misinformation contained
in a draft public filing. OSHA also ordered the company
to reinstate the whistleblower to his former position.
“It is vital that employees be able to raise fraud
concerns to their employers without fear of retalia-
tion,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr.
David Michaels. “This order reaffirms both the right of
employees to raise concerns regarding violations of Se-
curities and Exchange Commission rules and the Labor
Department’s commitment to protecting that right.”
The action resulted from a whistleblower investiga-
tion conducted by OSHA’s regional office in San Fran-
cisco under the whistleblower protection provisions of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The investigation sub-
stantiated the employee’s complaint that his job duties
were systematically removed and his paychecks were
delayed and ultimately stopped after he questioned the
accuracy of several statements made in the company’s
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
In addition to requiring e-Smart Technologies to
fairly compensate and rehire the whistleblower, OSHA’s
order instructs the company to provide a neutral refer-
ence, expunge his personnel file of any reference to his
exercise of rights under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and
post a notice to employees outlining whistleblower
protections.
Harvick Takes 811 to Victory Lane
D
uring the April 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at
Talladega, Kevin Harvick helped celebrate Na-
tional Safe Digging month by sporting the “Call
811” logo on the deck lid and rocker panels of
his No. 29 car to help educate fans about the impor-
tance of following the proper safety procedures when
digging. As PCCA members well know, a quick call to
811 can help avoid damage to underground utilities,
which can cause injuries, environmental incidents, and
disruption of services.
Not only did Harvick deliver this important mes-
sage, but he also raced his Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet to
victory lane and celebrated his first points win of the
season.