Cal/OSHA Issues Citations to
Outdoor Advertising Company for Billboard Electric Shock Accident
Los Angeles, CA—Cal/OSHA
has issued citations to an outdoor advertising company for serious safety
violations after a worker suffered third-degree burns when a metal pole he was
using to install a sign on a billboard came into contact with an overhead power
line.
On February 6, two sign hangers for Outfront Media
were working 25 feet above ground on the billboard’s platform to install a
vinyl sign over West 3rd Street. The workers were using 11-foot
poles to place the 14-by-48-foot sign. One of the metal poles touched an
energized high-voltage power line located near the edge of the billboard, which
resulted in serious burns to 25 percent of the sign-hanger’s body.
“Employers must identify and evaluate all hazards
in the workplace,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “When energized overhead
lines are present, the employer must ensure that employees maintain required
clearances, or minimum safe distances from the overhead lines, to protect
employees from electrical shock or electrocution.”
Cal/OSHA issued three citations to Outfront Media
totaling $32,435 in proposed penalties. A serious accident-related citation was
issued for the employer’s violation of provisions
for preventing accidents due to proximity to overhead lines,
which requires a minimum clearance of 6 feet be maintained for work done near
34.5 kilovolt lines. A serious citation was issued for failure to identify and
evaluate hazards related to installing signs on billboards in proximity to
power lines. Cal/OSHA also issued a general citation to the employer for an
inadequate heat illness prevention plan for its outdoor workers.
Since 2015, Cal/OSHA has opened 11 inspections with outdoor and
display advertising employers. Among those inspections were six accidents,
including an electric shock incident last year when
a worker’s ladder came into contact with overhead power lines during
preparations to hang a sign.
A citation is classified as serious when there is a
realistic possibility that death or serious harm could result from the actual
hazard created by the violation.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and
Health, or Cal/OSHA, is the division within the Department of Industrial
Relations (DIR) that helps protect California’s workers from health and safety
hazards on the job in almost every workplace.
Cal/OSHA offers a fact sheet for safety meetings on working
safely on or near high voltage overhead lines. Cal/OSHA’s
Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary
assistance to employers to improve their safety and health programs. Employers
should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.
Employees with work-related questions or complaints
may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR
(844-522-6734). Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.