{"id":12340,"date":"2017-11-22T20:41:55","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T20:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/minutes.machine.market\/?p=12340"},"modified":"2017-11-22T20:41:55","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T20:41:55","slug":"compass-general-construction-of-kirkland-wash-cited-for-operating-a-crane-too-close-to-high-voltage-power-lines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/machine.market\/blog\/compass-general-construction-of-kirkland-wash-cited-for-operating-a-crane-too-close-to-high-voltage-power-lines\/","title":{"rendered":"Compass General Construction, of Kirkland, Wash. cited for operating a crane too close to high-voltage power lines."},"content":{"rendered":"

Compass General Construction<\/a>, of Kirkland, Wash., is facing a large fine for workplace safety violations from the state\u2019s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) for operating a crane too close to high-voltage power lines without taking\u00a0proper safety precautions. Workers are hurt and killed every year when cranes come in contact with power lines and it\u2019s a significant workplace safety issue, with very specific requirements that must be followed.<\/p>\n

\"Compass-Construction\"<\/p>\n

L&I cited Compass General Construction for two willful violations, the most serious, and one general violation. The company faces fines totaling $96,000.<\/p>\n

The violations were discovered last May, just a few days after an L&I safety inspector visited the job site and went over the crane operation safety requirements with the site superintendent. At that time, there was a crane on site, but it was not near power lines.<\/p>\n

A few days later, L&I received a referral from Seattle City Light that the crane was operating near the power line without the required\u00a0safety precautions. L&I returned to the site and verified that the crane was operating near the power lines without a warning line, such as highly visible flagging or caution tape to keep the crane a safe distance away, or a dedicated spotter to alert the operator if he got too close.<\/p>\n

As a result, Compass was cited for one willful violation for not appointing a lift director to oversee the crane lifts and rigging crew. The company was cited for a second willful violation for not ensuring that power-line safety requirements were met, including having an elevated warning line a safe distance from the power lines, along with a dedicated spotter. Each violation carries a penalty of $48,000.<\/p>\n

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Both violations are considered \u201cwillful,\u201d because the L&I compliance officer went over the specific requirements with the site superintendent just three days earlier<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cranes and Power Lines a Known Hazard<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last September, two workers were severely injured and nearly killed while working near the same West Seattle power line when a high-voltage jolt of electricity traveled down a crane\u2019s hoist line to the men below.<\/p>\n