New England electricity provider cited after worker’s death

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to a New England energy provider for two willful and three serious violations following a worker’s death this past summer.

OSHA proposed $333,560 in fines against Massachusetts-based Eversource Energy Service Co. following an investigation into the July 12, 2022, workplace fatality. 

An employee who was performing maintenance work on underground electrical equipment died after suffering severe burns following an arc flash and blast at the jobsite. 

Inspectors said the company failed to fully de-energize the electrical equipment during maintenance work, failed to reasonably estimate the heat energy employees would have been exposed to, and failed to train workers on electrical equipment hazards in enclosed spaces.

Eversource provides electricity to customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut.