Cal/OSHA finds DWR at fault in near-tragedy

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has cited the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for five serious violations, including one serious/willful violation, and wants more than $141,000 in fines.

July 2009, five DWR employees were injured by hurricane-like winds and rushing water at Oroville Dam. To test the destructive effects of removing an energy dispersion ring, the workers opened river valves full force, contrary to industry standards. DWR spokesman Bill Cochran said the five injured employees were testing two 72-inch river valves located in a tunnel beneath the dam when a 6-foot by 10-foot steel panel separating the valve from the water diversion tunnel collapsed.

The workers were subjected to vacuum conditions equivalent to 100 mph winds. A breakaway wall failed and knocked three of the workers off their feet and toward a diversion tunnel. Two others were pulled over the edge of the river valve chamber and hit by tools and equipment. One worker’s injuries required a four-day hospital stay.

Cal/OSHA cited DWR for an alleged serious/ willful violation of General Industry Safety Orders §3328(a) for
■Operating valves without the energy dispersion ring, which prevents water from hitting the chamber at full force
■Serious, accident-related violations of §3328(g) for allowing vacuum pressure to build up to dangerous levels
■Failure to evaluate and identify the hazard of removing the dispersal ring
■Failure to train employees on the potential hazards
■Failure to determine the chamber was a permit-required confined space. DWR is appealing the citation.