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		<title>Echo Powerline, LLC  OSHRC Docket No. 17-1188</title>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#00B050; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Some personal identifiers have been redacted for privacy purposes.</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">United States of America</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION<span>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SECRETARY OF LABOR</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
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								</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainan</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t,</span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> v. </span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ECHO POWERLINE, LLC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span></p>
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								</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent.</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHRC Docket No</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">7-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1188</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span> </p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Appearances:</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Christopher D. Lopez-Loftis</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, Esq., U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Dallas, Texas</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">For Complainant</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Jane H.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Heidingsfelder</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, Esq. & P.J. Kee</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, Esq.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Jones Walker LLP</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">New Orleans, Louisiana</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">F</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">or Respondent</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Be</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">fore: Administrativ</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">e Law Judge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Peggy S. Ball</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
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			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">I.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Procedural History</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent was hired by the Tri-County<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Electric Corporation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in Beaver, Oklahoma</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to restore downed power lines and poles, which had fallen over during a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n ice</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>storm on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">January 21, 2017</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">195</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). <span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three- to four-mile</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>area, Respondent had<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">12–13<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">crews working to rehang power lines, repair cross-arms, and re-set or adjust poles. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">365–66</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). <span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">O</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ne of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>crews, led by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brad<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouilette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, was rehanging distribution lines along<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a dirt roa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>terminated at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an intersection with Highway 412</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(“worksite”).  Roughly mid-span between two sets of the poles being worked on, a high-power transmission line passed approximately four feet over the top of the distribution lines. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">184</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">–186</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-7 at 2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).  The crew had successfully h</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ung</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>two of the three conductors<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and was in the process of hanging the third and final conductor when the crew members heard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>somebody yell</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">75</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 113</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).  Two of the employees working as groundmen</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">1</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fell to the ground, having suffered an electrical shock. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr. 74–75).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>One employee suffered burns to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his arms and feet</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and the other employee died from electrocution, notwithstanding his coworkers’ efforts to resuscitate him. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">255</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">6</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Consistent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ly</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with its obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“the Act”), Respondent reported the hospitalization and fatality within 24 hours of the incident. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">196</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-15</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).  In response, Complainant dispatched Compliance Safety and Health Officer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(CSHO)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Robert Gay</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to conduct an inspection. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">245–46</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).  After the accident, the trucks and equipment had been removed from the worksite,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">requiring</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Gay</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to reconstruct what happened based on his interviews with the crew members and what he could observe at the location where the accident occurred. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">247–53</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).  Ultimately, CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Gay</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>determined Respondent failed to take proper precautions when rehanging the conductors<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">near</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Highway<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">412</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in violation of the Act.  Accordingly, Complainant issued a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Citation and Notification of Penalty</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, alleging a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1) and proposing a penalty of $</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">12,675</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent submitted its Notice of Contest to Complainant,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hereby initiating the present matter. A trial was held on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">July 26, 2018,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">New Orleans, Louisiana</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The following individuals testified: (1)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brad<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Broui</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent’s on-site foreman;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Austin Ducote, a lineman for Respondent; (3)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, an apprentice lineman; (4) Mike<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Grouvillia</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent’s safety director; (5) CSHO Robert Gay; (6) Jeff Reed, Respondent’s general foreman; and (7) Mike<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Marcotte, Respondent’s designated expert and Director of Utilities for the City of Alexandria, Louisiana</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Both parties submitted post-trial briefs, which the Court has considered, along with the record evidence, and relevant law.  As will be discussed in depth below, the Court finds Respondent failed to employ adequate measures to minimize the possibility the distribution<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wire</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>would<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">contact</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the energized transmission cable</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">2</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1).</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">II.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Stipulations</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
					</span>& Jurisdiction</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As indicated in their joint stipulation statement</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>submitted July 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2018,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he parties<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">agree</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Commission has</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>jurisdiction over this proceeding</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pursuant to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>10(c) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 659(c)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>an employer engaged in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a business affecting commerce within the meaning of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>3(5)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 652(5).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Slingluff</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>v. OSHRC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 425 F.3d 861 (10th Cir. 2005).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The remaining stipulation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>merely indicate<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">agreements about procedural matters involving the issuance of the Citation and related Notice of Contest</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">III.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Factual Background</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The facts of this case are not in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>serious</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>dispute. The factual<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">challenge</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in this case is re-creating the scene of the accident based on the employees’ accounts provided after the fact. While the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular poles</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and cables at issue were still in the same location, the vehicles and people had already been removed from the site by the time CSHO Gay arrived.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">While this is not unusual in and of itself, the difficulty lies in assessing the efficacy of certain safeguards based on their proximity to various hazards, which is an important consideration when dealing with high-voltage</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">power sources.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.960(c) (addressing minimum approach distances)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Thus, as reflected below, the Court places substantial weight on the employees’ testimony insofar<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as their direct observations are concerned; however, as will be discussed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">later</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, their conclusions are not entitled to the same level of deference. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent had multiple crews working to restore power in the area surrounding Beaver, Oklahoma, after an ice storm came through. Th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is case is concerned with</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the crews supervised by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Chris Bassett</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">3</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The crews began work on the worksite located at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the intersection of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Highway<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">412</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and 4120 in Beaver, Oklahoma</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 35).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> At this location, all three distribution lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>running in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">north-south</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>direction</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>had fallen to the ground as a result of the storm. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">59, 248, 257–58; Ex. C-5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). In some cases, this was the result of the crossarms, which previously held the lines in place, falling apart or breaking. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">249, 257–58</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Ultimately, it was up to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>crew to repair and re-hang the lines, repair and/or replace damaged crossarms, and restore power. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">33</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Prior to beginning work,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>gathered the crews to discuss the plan for re-hanging the distribution lines. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">56–57</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-12</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). He addressed how the work would be carried out and the plan for executing the work safely, including<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Personal Protective Equipment (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">PPE</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, positioning of equipment and people, and the use of barriers. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">57–62</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-12</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Re-hanging the downed lines presented two significant electrical hazards: (1) the downed distribution lines connected to a pole that had additional, energized distribution lines running perpendicularly to them; and (2) approximately two to three spans down from the junction mentioned in (1), energized transmission lines ran over the top of the downed distribution lines.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">4</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">47, 174–75</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Prior to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">beginning any work on the downed wire, Respondent had to put various safeguards into place. In the case of the adjacent transmission and distribution lines, Respondent used different methods for guarding against contact with each. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In the case of the adjacent distribution lines, Respondent’s crew placed rubber blankets, also known as “guts”, over the potential points of contact along the energized line. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">50, 100</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-5 at 4–7</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). This was standard procedure and in accordance with the dictates of Respondent’s safety manual. (Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-16 at 87</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, ¶21</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). No one in Respondent’s crew was authorized</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trained</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">qualified to perform work on transmission lines. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">120, 150, 229</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). This meant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">they</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could not install the same barriers on the transmission lines as they did<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the distribution lines, which they were qualified to work on. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">52</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Instead,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Broui</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>designated one of the bucket trucks to serve as a barrier between the yet-to-be-hung distribution lines and the overhanging transmission lines. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">47</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-26 at ECHO-00018, C-27, C-28</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the bucket truck, operated by Wayne,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">5</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was parked at the nearest distribution pole, and its arm and attached bucket were raised over the distribution line to prevent it from whipping upward into the transmission line. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">70–71</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">He</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>wanted to make it clear that Wayne was not positioned directly under the transmission line, but instead 15 feet<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the north of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it, consistent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ly</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with Respondent’s minimum<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">clearance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>distance to a 69kv line. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">192</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-17 at 33</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In addition to the foregoing safeguards,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>noticed the distribution pole adjacent to the 69kv lines was too tall,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>placed the distribution lines too close to the overhanging transmission lines. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">98</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Accordingly, he decided to shorten the distribution pole to maintain<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a safe</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>distance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>between the distribution and transmission lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">98</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Further, Respondent’s employees were equipped with various forms of PPE, depending on their respective job duties and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">location. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he linemen were all stationed in bucket trucks along the span of distribution wire to be installed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and each of them were equipped with the necessary PPE</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">87–88, 93</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). The bucket truck</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>w</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ere</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">grounded and insulated in various locations.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">219–220</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). The groundmen, who were responsible for laying out and eventually raising the line to the linem</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n, wore electrical gloves rated to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">30kv</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and sleeves, along with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">fire retardant clothing (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">F</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">RC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">60–61;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Exs</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. C-6, C-12</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On the day of the accident, as depicted in the diagram created by Mike<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Grouvillia</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent’s Safety Director, Respondent had<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>bucket trucks</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and one digger truck</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on site.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">6</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">45–47</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Wayne was directed to set his bucket<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">north</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the 69kv line and place his boom over the three-phase distribution line to prevent contact with the 69kv line. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">70–71</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-25</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Linemen Taylor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hukins</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Austin Ducote set their bucket trucks<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">near</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the junction pole where the downed distribution lines<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">came to a dead end, and another set of energized distribution<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ran perpendicular to the downed set. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 47, 174–75;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-5 at 6–7)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hukins</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Ducote<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">placed rubber line hoses and rubber blankets over the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>energized lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">121, 175</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-5 at 6–7</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Groundmen<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Roch</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Bordelon,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, David Townsend, and Jake Thompson were all stationed near<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hukins</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Ducote. (Ex. C-28). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Broui</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the groundmen had to “walk<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">up</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” the wire, which required them to lay out the downed wire in separate strands along the ground before they could be pulled up and laid on the cross-arms of the poles for installation. (Tr. 62–63; Ex. C-25). This prevented the wires from becoming tangled amongst themselves prior to setting them in place. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">62</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Meanwhile, the linemen, after installing barriers, set up a hoist and handline system, which allowed the groundmen to pull up the downed distribution line to the linemen, who set the lines into dead-end<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shoes that hold the conductor in place on the cross-arm. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">54–55, 72–73</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). All of this was overseen by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouillette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Bassett, the two crew leaders on the project. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouillette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stationed himself at the east end of the worksite, closest to the pole where the two sets of distribution lines met; Bassett stationed himself at the far east end, adjacent to Wayne. (Ex. C-28). Both stayed in contact through radio. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">70, 75</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">At the time of the accident in this case, the crews had already re-strung the field and center conductors in the manner described above: the groundmen used the handline to lift the conductor to the linemen, who then placed the conductor into the dead-end shoe on the cross-arm.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">7</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">229</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). The lineman used the hoist to pull the conductor to the appropriate level above ground,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">taking into account</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the appropriate amount of sag.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">8</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">55</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Before it was raised into the air,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>had to splice the broken road conductor. (Tr. 13</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">6</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Once he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">finished</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>splicing the broken conductor, he and the other groundmen started to pull on the quarter-mile long conductor to set it in the handline and hoist it up to the linemen. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">134–138</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). As they were pulling,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>began to feel tingling in his hands, like ants crawling on them, and dropped the cable, which snapped back and contacted his arm, sending electrical shock through his body and out of his foot. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">134</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Further down the line,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fell to the ground and was unresponsive. None of the other groundmen suffered injury.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to the testimony at trial, and contemporaneously provided accounts, nobody saw how the previously un-energized distribution wire became energized. The consensus, however, was that the wire, which was flexible, got snagged on something on the ground, causing it to snap upwards towards the 69<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">kv</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>line; indeed, there were multiple mentions of a barbed wire fence that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ran along the ground adjacent to the downed lines. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">119</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">138–39, 166</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 250</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Though most of those present testified that the road conductor contacted the 69kv line, this was based on deduction not on direct observation.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s report indicated</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the lines may not have touched but came close enough for the energy to jump from one line to another. (Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-26 at 3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>suffered substantial burns to his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chest</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">feet</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. As for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, his coworkers took turns providing CPR until the ambulance arrived, at which point both<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were taken to the hospital. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">suffered severe burns and was in the hospital for a couple of days</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, unfortunately, was unable to overcome his injuries</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and died at the hospital</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Because of the hospitalization and fatality, Respondent contacted OSHA’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1-800</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>phone line. (Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-15</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). CSHO Gay came out on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">January 22, 2017</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, conducted an inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and performed interviews. Based on what he learned, CSHO Gay recommended, and Complainant issued, the following citation item.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">IV.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Discussion</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:120px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:120px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">A.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Citation 1, Item 1</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant alleged a serious violation of the Act in Citation 1, Item 1 as follows:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 CFR 19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26.964</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)(1): </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tension stringing method. When lines that employees are installing or removing can contact energized parts, the employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shall</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>use the tension stringing method, barriers, or other equivalent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">measures</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to minimize the possibility that conductors and cables the employees are installing or removing will contact energized power lines or equipment.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On or about January 22, 2017, and at times prior<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">there to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>[sic], the employer did not ensure that employees installing power lines that could contact energized parts utilized the tension-stringing method, barriers, or other equivalent measures to minimize the possibility of contact with live parts. Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. C-1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To establish a violation of an OSHA standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pursuant to Section 5(a)(2) of the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">must<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prove</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">: (1) the standard applies to the facts; (2) the employer failed to comply with the terms of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard; (3) employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were exposed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the hazard covered by the standard, and (4) the employer had actual or constructive knowledge of the violation (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">i.e.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the employer knew</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with the exercise of reasonable diligence</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could have known of the violative condition).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Atlantic Battery Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">16 BNA OSHC 2131, 2138 (No. 90-1747, 1994).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant has the burden of establishing each element by a preponderance of the evidence.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Hartford Roofing Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1361 (No. 92-3855, 1995). “Preponderance of the evidence” has been defined as:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:53.733px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he greater weight of the evidence, not necessarily established by the greater number of witnesses testifying to a fact<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">but by evidence that has the most convincing force</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; superior evidentiary weight that, though not sufficient to free the mind wholly from all reasonable doubt, is still sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of the issue rather than the other. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Black’s Law Dictionary, “Preponderance of the Evidence” (10th ed. 2014) (emphasis added).</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">i.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Cited Standard Applies</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to the Scope and Application paragraph for Subpart V—Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, “This subpart . . . covers the construction of electric power transmission and distribution lines and equipment.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.950(a)(1). ‘Construction’, as used in 1926.950(a)(1), “includes the erection of new electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment, and the alteration, conversion, and improvement of existing electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant asserts Respondent was performing construction-related electrical work on the downed distribution lines in a couple of respects: (1) Respondent replaced broken or missing wooden cross-arms with upgraded, new fiberglass cross-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">arms, thereby<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">improving</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>existing electrical equipment; and (2) Respondent altered an existing distribution pole by shortening it to accommodate an overhanging transmission line. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">98, 249</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court finds the foregoing activities are<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sufficient</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to qualify Respondent’s work as construction<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>purpose of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>appl</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ying</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Part 1926<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lectrical standards. Likewise, the Court finds the specific section cited, 29 C.F.R. § 1926.964, applies to Respondent’s activities, because it “provides additional requirements for work performed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">on or near overhead lines and equipment</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which is exactly what they were hired to do.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a)(1) (emphasis added).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Respondent did not dispute Complainant’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">application of the cited standard.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">ii.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Terms of the Standard Were<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Violated</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As will be discussed throughout this s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ction, the debate over whether Respondent employed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the tension-stringing method is largely semantic. Complainant contends that there is a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">singular<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension-stringing method, which is highlighted by the standard’s use of the definite article “the”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1). This method, Complainant contends, requires the use of mechanical equipment that applies constant tension to new wires that are being strung or old ones that are being taken down. Conversely, Respondent contends that the use of handlines to raise the wires to the linemen constitutes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tension-stringing method, insofar as it is applied to re-stringing downed lines.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">W</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hile Respondent’s groundmen<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">we</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">re undoubtedly applying tension to the downed line in order to raise it to the linemen, this is not what<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>intended by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tension-stringing method as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">described at 29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:240px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:240px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">a.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">History of the Electric Power Standard</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The first version of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Part 1926<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">electrical power standard was promulgated in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1972, along with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">waves of other existing federal<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>national consensus standards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, during the initial promulgation of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">occupational safety and health standards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>under the OSH Act of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1970</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Electrical Protective Equipment, 79 Fed. Reg.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">20316</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 20316 (April 11, 2014)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">199</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the Part 1910 Electric Power standard was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>updated to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">replace out-of-date consensus standards with “a set of performance-oriented requirements that are consistent with the latest revisions” of those standards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment, 59 Fed. Reg. 4320, 4320 (January 31, 1994)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Part 1926 Electric Power standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, however,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was not modified again for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">another 20</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>years.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to the preamble to the Part 1926</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>final rule,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“OSHA is revising the construction</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">standard to make it more consistent with the general industry standard and is making<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">some</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>revisions to both the construction and general industry requirements.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The need for an update was clear after<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">42 years, and the need for consistency<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is rendered plain in any case where the parties dispute whether a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular employer’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>activities are construction or general industry.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">950(a)(1)(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>note</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">An employer that complies with § 1910.269 of this chapter will be considered in compliance with requirements in this subpart that do not reference other subparts of this part</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">....”)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This interplay</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>between the previous standard and the modified 1910 standard is on display<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">application of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">standard at issue<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">this case.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">79 Fed. Reg. at 20522.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to the preamble, “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[T]he Agency used existing § 1910.269(q), rather than existing § 1926.955, as the base document in developing § 1926.964. However, OSHA also proposed requirements for § 1926.964</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that the Agency took from existing § 1926.955<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pertaining specifically to construction work.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Ultimately, OSHA sought to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“combine and simplify the construction requirements for stringing overhead lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” in a way that “will be easier for employers and employees to understand.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t 20523. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">With that in mind,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA promulgated § 1926.964(b) with the intent that it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s sub</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">paragraphs</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>serve as the “primary protection to employees installing conductors.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at 20524.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The goal of the cited standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 1926.964(b)(1),</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is to “minimize the possibility<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that conductors and cables the employees are installing or removing will contact energized power lines or equipment.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">An employer engaged in the installation or removal of overhead lines<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">can accomplish this goal in one of three ways</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">: (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1) the tension-stringing method, as the subparagraph is entitled; (2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">barriers; or (3) equivalent measures.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Prior to addressing the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">issue</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of whether Respondent utilized any of the enumerated methods, however, Respondent called into question<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">what would constitute<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">adequate “minimization” of the hazard, as it were.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">While Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">implemented some measures, which undoubtedly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">served to reduce</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the hazard, the Court finds<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reduction is not the equivalent of “minimizing”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, as that term is commonly understood</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, when such a standard is seen as the “primary protection” for employees installing conductors.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“Minimize”,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>though not defined in the standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is commonly understood to mean “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to reduce something to the smallest possible level or amount</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Cambridge Dictionary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(def</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“minimize”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">available at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/minimize</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Cambridge Univ. Press 2019)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. As the definition makes clear, to ‘minimize’<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">contemplates</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>more than merely<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reducing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the amount of something. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As applied to this case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">means reducing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the possibility of contact with an energized line</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the smallest amount possible.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>applied to the measures employed by Respondent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to address the transmission line</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the Court finds<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">they</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>failed to m</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">inimize the possibility of contact</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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			<p style="margin-left:192px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:192px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent Did Not Use the Tension</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Stringing Method</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The cited standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which is entitled “Tension stringing method”, requires the use of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tension stringing method, barriers, or equivalent measures to prevent the line being installed from contacting energized lines or equipment. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Unfortunately, the standard does not define what the tension stringing method is. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant contends the tension stringing method refers to the use of mechanical equipment to maintain tension on the line throughout the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">process of installation or removal. Accordingly, Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">argues</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent’s use of a handline, although it applies tension to the line in a sense, does not qualify as the tension stringing method. Respondent, on the other hand, has called into question whether the tension stringing method is limited to the use of mechanical tensioning equipment, or whether the simple application of tension while re-hanging lines constitutes a tension stringing method.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the Court’s review of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">language of the standard, related standards, the preamble to the final rule, and associated case law, the Court finds Complainant’s interpretation of the standard is the appropriate one.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref10" href="#ftn10">9</a></span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Initially, Respondent took the position that it did not use the tension-stringing method because it could not use mechanical tensioning equipment to re-string a downed line. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">87,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>377–78</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Upon further reflection, Respondent changed its position to assert that it was using<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tension stringing method by using the handline to raise the line up to the lineman, who would ultimately set it in place.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref11" href="#ftn11">10</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">86, 147, 377</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To Respondent, the handline applied tension to the line, which was attached at the farthest post from the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">highway</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ough the use of manpower—literally, someone pulling on the end of the wire. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">79–80</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As will be shown, however,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s initial position of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">asserting it was not using the tension stringing method because of the nat</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ure of its work</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular instance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is more consistent with the facts</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“When determining the meaning of the standard, the Commission must first look to its text and structure.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">The Davey Tree Expert Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2016 WL 845440 at *1 (No. 11-2556) (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Superior<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Masonry Builders Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 20 BNA OSHC 1182, 1184 (No. 96-1043, 2003)). If the meaning of the standard’s language is “sufficiently clear” the inquiry ends.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Unarco</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Comm. Prods.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 1499, 1502 (No. 89-1555, 1993). However, if “the meaning of the regulatory language is not free from doubt”, the standard is ambiguous.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Martin v. OSHRC (CF&I Steel Corp.)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 499 U.S. 144, 150–51 (1991). “A<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">regulation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is ‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ambiguous’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as applied to a particular dispute or circumstance when more than one<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">interpretation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is ‘plausible’ and ‘the text alone does not permit a more definitive reading.”’<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Exelon Generation Co. v. Local 15, Int'l Bhd. of Elec. Workers</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 676 F.3d 566, 570 (7th Cir. 2012) (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Chase Bank USA, N.A. v. McCoy</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 562 U.S. 195, 207 (2011)). However, “a reviewing court should not confine itself to examining a particular statutory provision in isolation. The meaning—or ambiguity—of certain words or phrases may only become evident when placed in context.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">FDA v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 529 U.S. 120, 132 (2000). As such, the disputed provision should first be read within the context of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">standard as a whole</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. If the ambiguity cannot be resolved,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the next step is to review contemporaneous legislative histories of the standard.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Gen. Motors Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1217<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(No. 91-2973</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>et al.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 1995).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> If the question<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">remains</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>unsettled, the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Court will defer to Complainant’s interpretation of the standard insofar as it is reasonable.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Kiewit Western Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>16 BNA OSHC 1689, 1693 (No. 91–2578, 1994)).</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Although the term “tension stringing method” is not anywhere defined in the regulations, there are clues to its meaning both within the standard itself and in adjacent, related standards. First, the standard uses the definite article “the” to qualify “tension</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stringing method”. A definite article is used to signify<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a particular, singular</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>noun, as opposed to the generalized, indefinite article “a”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Cambridge Dictionary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">supra</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(defining “the” as a definite article “used before a noun to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">refer to a particular thing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">because it is clear which thing is intended</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”) (emphasis added)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Thus, whatever the tension stringing method is, it is something specific and unique.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As previously noted,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant contends the plain language refers to a mechanical process whereby machines known as tensioners and pullers are used to string new electrical lines. These machines utilize a series of drums and brakes to reel out (or in, as the case may be) electrical line, while consistently maintaining tension on the line<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during the course of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>installation (or removal). (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">384–85</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-31</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot Co., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 26 BNA OSHC 1851 (No. 15-0799, 2017) (ALJ Phillips) (describing, in detail, the tension-stringing process)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Complainant</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s argument, however, relies less on the actual language of the standard and focuses instead on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">case law that addresses the foregoing terminology. While that analysis has bearing on the reasonableness of Complainant’s interpretation, it does not aid in the plain language analysis.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s formulation seems to suggest that the application of tension, alone, is what makes the tension stringing method unique as a method to install or remove wire. While Respondent’s interpretation of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension-stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is simple, its simplicity undermines the specificity<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">indicated</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by the standard’s use of the definite article. The installation of wires appears to require the application of tension as a matter of course, regardless of the method applied</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; w</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ires, whether new or old,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">have to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>be pulled between the poles in order to be installed.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As told by all of Respondent’s employees, whether that is accomplished with mechanical pullers and tensioners, ground pulls by hand, or handlines and hoists,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension is applied to the line.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specific<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">method employed depends on the job at hand. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">384</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">At this worksite, where Respondent was working with previously downed wire, the crew could not use mechanical tensioning equipment because that equipment is only designed for taking line<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">off of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a spool or putting it back on. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">384–85</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Thus, they separated and dragged the downed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">line between the poles upon which the wires were to be hung. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">62–63</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Only<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">after<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the lines were laid out did Respondent’s crew apply tension to the line<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">raise<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it to the linemen above. Given the variety of ways in which tension appears to be applied to the wire during installation, Respondent’s interpretation proves to be too expansive if the standard’s use of the definite article is to have any meaning.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 26 BNA OSHC 1851<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(addressing the safeguards necessary for ground pulling a wire);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams Constr. Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 13 BNA OSHC 1834 (No. 87-0637, 1988) (ALJ Child) (addressing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>treating the wire as energized in lieu of tension-stringing).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Further undermining Respondent’s approach is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the definite article only applies to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the tension stringing method</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which itself is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>one of multiple ways to comply with 1926.964(b)(1). Stated in the disjunctive, “or”, the standard provides employers with an opportunity to accomplish the same level of protection through alternative means, such as barriers or “other equivalent measures”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>If an employer cannot use<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—whether due to lack of equipment, as in this case, or because its use is inadvisable—then the employer has the option to use barriers or equivalent measures so long as they accomplish the same level of protection. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 13 BNA OSHC 1834</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(discussing how treating the line as energized was the preferable method to tension-stringing under the circumstances)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The availability of alternatives to the tension</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stringing method within the standard also implies<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">its</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>uniqueness: the standard is a specification standard, requiring the use of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension-stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, unless<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension-stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is not available. If<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension-stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is not available, the standard becomes a performance standard, which allows the employer to choose the appropriate measures</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">provide</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>equivalent protection.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Warnel</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 4 BNA OSHC 1034 (No. 4537, 1976) (describing three types of standards: specification standards, performance standards, and hybrid specification/performance standards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, such as the one described here</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">There is nothing in the standard or related definitions<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">per se</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exclude</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a handline, which is a mechanical implement that relies primarily on manpower,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as a tension-stringing implement</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Handlines are specifically referenced in paragraph 1926.964(c), governing live-line barehand work,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>but only as a restriction against their use between the aerial bucket and the ground.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1926.964(c)(16). However, just because a handline’s use is restricted in this context does not, by virtue of its location in the regulations, exclude it as a tension-stringing method.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Given this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lingering<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ambiguity, the Court must look to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“contemporaneous regulatory<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">history</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” of the standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Gen. Motors Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1217</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">While the lack of clari</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">fication</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>within the standard leads to the conclusion the term is ambiguous, the preamble and Complainant’s consistent interpretation of the term “tension stringing method” clarify any lingering doubt</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as to its meaning</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. In the preamble to the final rule, which was issued in 2014, OSHA stated, “Paragraph (b)(1) requires employer to take precautions to minimize the possibility that conductors and cables, during installation and removal, will contact energized power lines or equipment.” 79 Fed. Reg. at 20523. In order to minimize the possibility of contact, paragraph (b)(1) “requires employers to do so by stringing conductors using the tension-stringing method (which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">keeps</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>conductors<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">off the ground</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and clear of energized circuits)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. . . .</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at 20523–20524 (emphasis added). Thus, not only is the tension-stringing method a specific manner of installing electrical wire, it is one that is accomplished in a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular way</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">: maintaining enough tension so that the electrical wire does not touch the ground during the course of installation.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ensioning and pulling equipment prevent electrical wires from getting tangled in the underbrush or adjacent structures, such as fences</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, by maintaining tension on the line<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">at all times</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">355–56</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). By maintaining mechanical tension, the line is never allowed to touch the ground.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref12" href="#ftn12">11</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">258–59</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The purpose of the tension-stringing method is to control the flexible line and avoid the type of hazard that came to fruition in this case: underbrush<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and fencing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">along the ground that can snag the line and cause it to violently release into adjacent, energized lines.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Although Respondent’s crew utilized tension to raise the wire<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for eventual installation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the foregoing illustrates the crew did not use the tension-stringing method.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>As indicated in the standard, and clarified in the preamble, the tension-stringing method requires wires to be kept off the ground and clear of energized circuits.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">79 Fed. Reg. at 20524.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">recounted<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tension-string</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">er</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could not be used to re-hang old wire; instead, he testified<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">how the wires were laid out on the ground and untangled from each other prior to raising them to the cross-arms. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">63</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is is not</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tension-stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. If tension<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the only qualifier for the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular method</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>discussed, then nearly every method for pulling or raising a wire would count as the tension-stringing method, even though the standard clearly mandates a singular methodology.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Based on the testimony, the only time the line was kept clear of the ground<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s when it was being lifted, by handline, to the linemen in the aerial buckets. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">63</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Because it was on the ground, it was thereby exposed to the snags and other obstacles the tension-stringing method</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, as described in the preamble,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is designed to avoid. Accordingly, the Court finds Respondent did not utilize the tension-stringing method.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This conclusion is buttressed by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">case law addressing the use of tension-stringing, in which neither the Court nor the parties before it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>operating under a cloud of confusion as to the proper meaning of the term.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">13 BNA OSHC 1834</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">&<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 26 BNA OSHC 1851</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams Construction</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the employer was hired to replace a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">distribution<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pole to comply<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with new federal standards.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams Constr.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">13 BNA OSHC 1834</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The new, higher pole required the crew to replace the existing lines, which stretched for one span across the Clark Fork River near Paradise, Montana.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">During the course of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the job, one of the crew members was fatally electrocuted, which prompted OSHA to cite<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the employer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for its failure to use the tension-stringing method.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref13" href="#ftn13">12</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The employer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>opted not to use tension-stringing because</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, in its estimation, the additional hazards imposed by tension-stringing did not justify its use under the circumstances; namely, that there could be “excessive oscillation” using a tension-stringer on a one-span job.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">*7</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Instead, the crew opted to treat the wire as energized, which came with its own set of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">necessary safeguards.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>An expert supported this method as appropriate for the conditions, though he did note that the tension-stringing method would have prevented the wire from becoming snagged under the surface of the river.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Ultimately, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he court agreed with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the employer that tension-stringing was not required under the circumstances.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Just as interesting as how</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the court and parties in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>referred to tension-stringing as a method for raising a power line is how they did not characterize<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the work</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employer was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">actually doing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. According to the factual narrative, based on the testimony provided, the line at issue was being raised and controlled<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">using</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tag lines, ropes, pulleys, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">handlines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Notwithstanding the fact that the employer in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was using the exact same equipment as Respondent did here, at no time was OSHA, the employer, or the court under the impression that Williams was employing the tension-stringing method.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Similarly, in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. El</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">liot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>parties had the same understanding of tension-stringing. Based on the presentation of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">evidence</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">understood tension-stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as “the mechanized<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pulling of conductive wire through previously-installed stringing blocks attached to a series of power poles.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26 BNA OSHC 1851</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at n.148</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Further supporting this concept</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the employer argued—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in an attempt to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>show compliance with the cited standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ground pulling was an “equivalent method” used to minimize contact</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with energized lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citing 29 C.F.R. § 1910.269(q)(2)).</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref14" href="#ftn14">13</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Just like<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the employer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>admitted it was not using tension-stringing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>but attempted to show compliance through “equivalent measures”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Court does not see a meaningful distinction between the activities of Respondent in this case and the respondents in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Williams<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Accordingly, the Court finds Respondent was not using the tension-stringing method.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:192px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:192px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">2.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent’s Barriers Were Insufficient to Minimize the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Hazard Imposed by the 69kv Transmission Line</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As an alternative to tension-stringing, 1926.964(b)(1) provides employers with the option to install barriers to minimize the possibility of contact with energized wires. A barrier, according to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">definitions</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section of Subpart V,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“[a] physical obstruction that prevents contact with energized lines or equipment or prevents unauthorized access to a work area.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.968. According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s employees and its designated expert</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the industry uses bucket trucks as barriers</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>under certain circumstances</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">73–74, 99</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">417</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Although CSHO Gay disputes a bucket truck<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is a sufficient barrier under the standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">experience<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was limited to a one-year stint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as a groundman, which</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pales in comparison to the experience<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of Respondent’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>linemen, groundmen, and expert that testified in this case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">33–35, 299–301, 363, 408</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court has no reason to doubt the testimony of Respondent’s witnesses on this account, and thus finds a bucket truck, under certain circumstances, can serve as a barrier. The key question is whether Respondent’s bucket truck, as a barrier, minimized the hazard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The Court finds it did not.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The only requirement of a barrier is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that it “physically prevents” contact with energized lines.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.968 (def. “barrier”),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">79</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Fed. Reg.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at 20524</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(barriers “physically prevent one line from contacting another”). Insofar as the boom and bucket of a bucket truck are utilized to accomplish such a result, it could conceivably be a barrier.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref15" href="#ftn15">14</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">However, merely because a bucket truck can<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">qualify</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">barrier in a general sense does not mean its use under the facts of this case render</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it sufficient to minimize the hazard.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">way</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>used and oriented this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular bucket</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>truck was inadequate</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to minimize</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the hazard presented by the overhead transmission lines.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular concern</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the Court</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>lateral</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>distance separating the truck from the overhanging hazard.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">73</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Grouvillia</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, who performed Respondent’s investigation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the bucket truck was not directly between the two lines—indeed, this would have been difficult given only four feet separated the lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when fully installed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">190</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Instead, the bucket was parked over the top of the distribution line, roughly 15 feet to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">north</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the crossover in the direction of the junction pole. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">71</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-28).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>There was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">no barrier</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>between<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or placed upon<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">either of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">two lines</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that would<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“physically<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prevent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the distribution<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">line</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>contacting the live transmission</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>line at the point where<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">they</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>crossed.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">79<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Fed. Reg.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>20524</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(discussing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rope nets and guards as barriers that “physically prevent one line from contacting another”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">190</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">While the line<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hooked into a dead-end shoe<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at the end of the three-span set of poles</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref16" href="#ftn16">15</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was only “laid up” on the post<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">adjacent to the transmission line</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, was still sagging to the ground in between poles,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and had yet to be<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">laid up</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the junction pole where the two linemen were waiting to receive it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">62–63, 93</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">27 at ECHO-00270</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the crew was handling roughly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">quarter-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">mile</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of cable, which he characterized as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">flexible</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” and “not heavy”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">138–39</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This not only left ample space for the cable to rebound upwards, but it also meant there was an ample amount of cable<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">capable of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rebound</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Further highlighting the inadequacy of Respondent’s efforts to address the hazard of the transmission lines is the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">manner in which</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it addressed the adjacent, energized distribution lines on the junction pole. As illustrated in the photographic exhibits, Respondent placed rubber blankets/guts over each of the adjacent lines and extended that protection out<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">8</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>feet</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on both sides of the pole</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">100</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">5 at 6–8</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Thus, there was a barrier that physically prevented contact with the energized line</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the potential point of contact:</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>if the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">line to be installed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>whip</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ped</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>upwards, it would strike the rubber barrier. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent did not install barriers</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the transmission lines because they did not have crew members qualified to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">work on</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">them</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thus, i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n lieu of hiring someone to barricade the transmission lines, Respondent opted to use<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a single</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>bucket truck</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which Wayne could not operate any closer than 15 feet<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">from</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the transmission lines due to Respondent’s self-imposed minimum<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">clearance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>distance. There was nothing in between the two lines at the potential point of contact.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref17" href="#ftn17">16</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Considering the foregoing circumstances, the Court finds Respondent failed to institute adequate barriers to address the specific hazard of the transmission lines.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref18" href="#ftn18">17</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> It is one thing to reduce the potential for a hazard to occur; it is quite another to minimize that possibility.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26 BNA OSHC 1851 at *48</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(rejecting argument implying a reduction in hazard is equivalent to minimizing the hazard).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Although the bucket truck would prevent the line from bouncing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">upwards at the point where it was located,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he truck was not located underneath the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">potential point of contact, i.e., the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">transmission line</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. According to the trial testimony, the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">distribution<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">line, which was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a quarter-mile</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>long and flexible, was not fastened anywhere but the post farthest from the junction pole; elsewhere it was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">merely laid up</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the crossarm or stretched out across the ground. Along the entire distribution line being worked on, there was a single point at which it could rebound into an energized 69kv transmission line. Respondent opted to place a bucket truck over the top of the distribution line 15 feet to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">north</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of this point. While this positioning may have been appropriate from the standpoint of Respondent’s minimum approach distance requirements,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">there was nothing to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">physically<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prevent the remaining portion of the line from bouncing upwards at the point where the transmission line cross</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>over, or at any other point along the three spans of line.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:192px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:192px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">3.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent Did Not Employ “Equivalent Measures” to Address the Hazard</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As an alternative to tension-stringing or barriers, the cited standard allows an employer to institute “equivalent measures” to minimize the possibility of contact with energized power lines.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1). This term, of course, is also undefined; however, the onus is on Respondent to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">adopt measures that provide protection equal to tension-stringing and/or barriers.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To illustrate, the Court will briefly recount t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he two cases cited above</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, both of which</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>provide examples of how employers have<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">attempted to utilize (with varying degrees of success)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“equivalent measures”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>comply with the standard.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the crew opted to treat the line as energized—even though it was not—during the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">period of time</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>they were working on it.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Williams</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">13 BNA OSHC 1834</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To treat the line as energized meant to “barricade, insulate or isolate yourself from the line, and insulate, isolate your equipment from the line where nobody, the public or the people that are working the job, will make<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">accidental contact</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">*7</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(quoting with approval to safety director for Montana Power Company)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The ALJ found the employer took adequate steps to safeguard its employees by treating the installed line as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">energized and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>found the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">fatality that occurred was the result of employee misconduct.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The employer in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>attempted something similar; however, the ALJ found<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the employer’s efforts wanting. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Davis’ crew</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">performed a ground pull of the wire to be installed,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during the course of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>which, the wire rebounded upward into an overhead, energized power line.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Davis H. Elliot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 26 BNA OSHC 1851</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Davis argued the distance between the overhead line and the ground was a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sufficient</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>barrier to prevent accidental contact.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The ALJ disagreed and found<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“[t]here is no equivalent protection when the wire being ground-pulled is close enough to contact the energized line.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Accordingly, the ALJ concluded that ground-pulling, as executed by Davis, was not equivalent to tension-stringing or the use of insulating barriers and found Davis violated the standard.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref19" href="#ftn19">18</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">While Respondent instituted multiple measures to address the various hazards present at the worksite, the only measure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in place to address the potential for contact with the transmission line<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the bucket truck</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and rubber gloves that were not rated for the highest level of voltage to which Respondent’s employees were exposed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. As the Court concluded above, the truck, alone, was insufficient as a barrier to minimize the hazard.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court does not find Respondent, aside from the insufficiently protective gloves, implemented any additional, equivalent measures to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prevent exposure to the high-voltage transmission line. Accordingly, the Court finds the terms of the standard were violated.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">iii.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent’s Employees Were Exposed to the Hazard</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To establish exposure,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant “must show that it is reasonably predictable either by operational necessity or otherwise (including inadvertence), that employees have been, are, or will be in the zone of danger.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Fabricated Metal Prods., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 1072 (No. 93-1853, 1997) (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Rockwell Int’l Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 9 BNA OSHC 1082 (No. 12470, 1980) &<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Gilles &<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Cotting</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 3 BNA OSHC 2002 (No. 504, 1976).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">groundmen</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, including<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, were handling the downed distribution line when it whipped upward and contacted the energized transmission line. At that time, the lines were not outfitted with barriers, nor were Respondent’s employees properly equipped with gloves designed to withstand the highest voltage to which they could be exposed. Accordingly, the Court finds Respondent’s employees were exposed to the hazard.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">iv.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent Knew of the Hazardous Condition<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“To establish knowledge, the Secretary must prove that the employer knew or, with the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known of the conditions constituting the violation.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Central Florida Equip. Rentals, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 25 BNA OSHC 2147 (No. 08-1656, 2016). To satisfy this burden, Complainant must show “knowledge of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">conditions</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that form the basis of the alleged violation; not whether the employer had knowledge that the conditions constituted a hazard.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“Although the Secretary has the burden to establish employer knowledge of the violative conditions, when a supervisory employee has actual or constructive knowledge of the violative conditions, that knowledge is imputed to the employer, and the Secretary satisfied his burden of proof without having to demonstrate any inadequacy or defect in the employer’s safety program.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Dover Elevator Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 1281 (No. 91-862, 1993);</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>see also Dana Container</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 25 BNA OSHC 1776 (No. 09-1184, 2015) (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Dover</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for same proposition).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">R</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">espondent’s worksite was supervised by Brad<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Broui</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was responsible for developing a work safety plan and for conveying the elements of that plan to his subordinates. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">35–36, 55</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-12</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Part of the plan required<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to serve as the “required observer” for the worksite. (Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-12</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testimony illustrates he was aware of all relevant hazards on the worksite, including the location where the transmission lines crossed over the distribution line being installed.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Because<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brouil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ette</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was Respondent’s on-site foreman, the Court finds his knowledge is properly imputed to Respondent.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">v.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Violation Was Serious</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A violation is “serious” if there was a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could have resulted from the violative condition. 29 U.S.C. § 666(k). Complainant need not show that there was a substantial probability that an accident would<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">actually occur</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; he need only show that if an accident occurred, serious physical harm could result. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Phelps Dodge Corp. v. OSHRC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 725 F.2d 1237, 1240 (9th Cir. 1984). If the possible injury addressed by a regulation is death or serious physical harm, a violation of the regulation is serious. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Mosser Construction</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1044 (No. 08-0631, 2010);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Dec-Tam Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">., 15 BNA OSHC 2072 (No. 88-0523, 1993).</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">V.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">One of Respondent’s employees suffered severe burns requiring hospitalization, and another was fatally electrocuted as a result of his exposure to the hazard.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The violation was serious.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Accordingly, the Court shall AFFIRM Citation 1, Item 1, alleging a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.964(b)(1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Penalty</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In calculating appropriate penalties for affirmed violations, Section 17(j) of the Act requires the Commission give due consideration to four criteria: (1) the size of the employer’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">business, (2) the gravity of the violation, (3) the good faith of the employer, and (4) the employer’s prior history of violations. Gravity is the primary consideration and is determined by the number of employees exposed, the duration of the exposure, the precautions taken against injury, and the likelihood of an actual injury.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">J.A. Jones Construction Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 15 BNA OSHC 2201 (No. 87-2059, 1993). It is well established that the Commission and its judges conduct<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">de novo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>penalty determinations and have full discretion to assess penalties based on the facts of each case and the applicable statutory criteria. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Valdak</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">., 17 BNA OSHC 1135 (No. 93-0239, 1995);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Allied Structural Steel</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2 BNA OSHC 1457 (No. 1681, 1975).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant proposed a penalty of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">$12,675. According to CSHO Gay,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he assessed the citation as high gravity and high probability. This assessment was predicated on the fact that death or serious injury were the most likely injuries<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that could result from exposure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and that the probability of such an occurrence was high given the lack of adequate protection between the transmission and distribution lines. That such an unfortunate incident occurred reinforces this conclusion. Complainant did not provide any discounts for good faith, history, or size. While the Court generally agrees with Complainant’s assessments as being supported by the record, the Court does not agree with Complainant’s decision not to award a discount for size. According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Grouvillia</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent has roughly 70 employees, or nearly one-quarter of what would be considered a large employer under Complainant’s Field Operations Manual.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 158).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Size,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>unlike good faith or history, has nothing to do with the character of the employer or its attempts to comply; rather, it merely reflects a considered judgment that smaller<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employers</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>are likely less able to afford penalties towards the top of the scale</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than their larger counterparts</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As such, the Court shall apply<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>10% discount<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">based upon Respondent’s size, to which the Court must give due consideration</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See R.G. Friday Masonry Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1070, 1075 (No. 91-2027, 1995); 29 U.S.C. § 666(j).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Accordingly, a penalty of $11,400 shall be assessed.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ORDER</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The foregoing Decision constitutes the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in accordance with Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclus</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ions of Law, it is ORDERED that:</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:48px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Citation 1, Item 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">AFFIRMED, and a penalty of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">$11,400</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is ASSESSED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SO ORDERED</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">/s/</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">____________________________</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">P</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eggy S. Ball</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Judge, OSHRC</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Date:</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>June 18, 2019</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Denver, Colorado</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
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					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
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				<p>
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
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				<p>
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"></a> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1 </span></a>. A groundman is a<span>
					</span>gofer, of sorts. According to Marcotte,<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent’s expert,<span><span></span>
					</span>when he worked as a groundman, he sent the tools up, pulled the ropes out, pulled handlines, raised conductors, and generally helped raise materials and tools to the linemen. (Tr. 410).<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">2 </span></a>. The case law, standards, and testimony tend to use the following terms interchangeably: cable, wire, conductor, phase, and lines. While trying to remain consistent, the Court uses some of those terms interchangeably, as well.<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">3 </span></a>. Although two foremen were present at the worksite, Mr. Bassett did not testify, and very little evidence was introduced regarding his presence at the site. Accordingly, the remainder of this decision will simply refer to Mr.<span>
					</span>Brouillette as the individual in charge of the worksite.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">4 </span></a>. A distribution line carries 7200 volts, whereas a transmission line carries 69,000 volts, typically expressed as 7.2kv and 69 kv, respectively. (Tr.<span>
					</span>47).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>For clarification, the transmission lines remained at their original height, roughly 24 feet above the ground<span><span></span>
					</span>and carry electricity to substations. (Tr.<span>
					</span>47, 186). According to<span>
					</span>Michael Grouvillia, when the distribution lines were at normal height, the transmission lines were located about four feet above them. (Tr.<span>
					</span>184–186).<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">5 </span></a>. Wayne’s real name is Blake Hunley.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">6 </span></a>. The diagram was created with input based on post-accident interviews. (Ex.<span>
					</span>C-25). Another diagram created by<span>
					</span>Brouilette<span><span></span>
					</span>at trial reflects a similar orientation of trucks and employees. (Tr.<span>
					</span>66–67; Ex.<span>
					</span>C-28). <span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn8" href="#ftnref8"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">7 </span></a>. The poles and attached cross-arms house three conductors, also referred to as phases, and a neutral conductor. (Tr.<span>
					</span>103). The names of the phases relate to their orientation on the cross-arm; thus, the “field” phase is located next to the open field, the “center” phase runs down the middle, and the “road” phase runs adjacent to the road. (Tr.<span>
					</span>103).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">8 </span></a>. Sag is essentially a bow in the line, which allows for some degree of flexibility between poles.<span>
					</span>(Tr.<span>
					</span>48–49).</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn10" href="#ftnref10"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">9 </span></a>. Respondent did not assert the affirmative defense of lack of proper notice; however, because its argument has the effect of calling the operative term, “tension stringing method”, into question, the Court must analyze the issue accordingly.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn11" href="#ftnref11"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">10 </span></a>. Complainant took the position that such a change<span>
					</span>caused undue prejudice to his case. While Complainant’s frustration is understandable, Respondent is free to change its theory of the case at any time through the course of litigation<span><span></span>
					</span>insofar as<span>
					</span>it arises out of the same “conduct, transaction, or occurrence”. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See Metwest, Inc.</span>, 22 BNA OSHC 1066 at *5 (No. 04-0594, 2007) (describing the test for permitting an amendment to a cause of action).<span>
					</span>In fact, Respondent could renege on a previous denial in discovery<span><span></span>
					</span>based on newly discovered information.<span>
					</span>Arguments and case theories can change to conform to the evidence.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn12" href="#ftnref12"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">11 </span></a>. The Court also notes that there was no debate or confusion over the use of the term “tension-stringing method” during the Notice and Comment period preceding the issuance of the final rule.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See generally<span>
						</span></span>79 Fed. Reg. at 20524.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn13" href="#ftnref13"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">12 </span></a>. Because the events of this case occurred in 1986, Respondent was governed by the previous version of the electrical power standards for construction.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See Williams Constr.</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>13 BNA OSHC 1834<span>
					</span>(citing 29 C.F.R. § 1926.955(d)(2)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">effective until<span>
						</span></span>July 9, 2014). As discussed above, both the predecessor and current standards require the use of the tension-stringing method.<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn14" href="#ftnref14"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">13 </span></a>. As previously noted, 1926.964(b) and 1910.269(q) are functionally equivalent and use identical language.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn15" href="#ftnref15"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">14 </span></a>. By so holding, the Court is not ruling that bucket trucks should be used as such; only that Complainant failed to prove bucket trucks could not be used as a barrier at all. </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn16" href="#ftnref16"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">15 </span></a>. This was also referred to as the “take-off” pole, presumably to indicate that it was where the work of rehanging the wire began.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn17" href="#ftnref17"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">16 </span></a>. Some witnesses testified about induced energy or jumping, such that the lines at issue would not have to touch, but only come close enough, to transfer electricity from the live line to the de-energized one. Though it was referenced in some contemporaneous accounts and at trial, the Court was not presented with enough information to opine further on it; however, the extent<span>
					</span>to which<span><span></span>
					</span>such potential exists highlights the importance of considering the<span>
					</span>possibility of<span><span></span>
					</span>contact.<span>
					</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn18" href="#ftnref18"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">17 </span></a>. Respondent also characterized the gloves<span>
					</span>worn by the crew members as barriers. (Tr.<span>
					</span>124). While that may be the case<span>
					</span>under a different set of circumstances—as with the bucket truck—the voltage rating was limited to 30kv, which is less than half of the voltage running through the transmission line. (Tr.<span>
					</span>125). This is not an adequate barrier.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn19" href="#ftnref19"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">18 </span></a>. When determining the proper meaning of “equivalent measures”, the ALJ relied on the standard’s requirements for tension-stringing, which cross-reference a separate set of requirements within the standard cited.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See Davis H. Elliot</span>,<span>
					</span>26 BNA OSHC 1851<span><span></span>
					</span>(citing 29 C.F.R. § 1910.269(q)(2)(ii)).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The Court need not rely on these equivalent measures, as neither the bucket truck nor the rubber gloves, either individually or in tandem, were sufficient to minimize the possibility of contact with the transmission line.<span>
					</span></p>
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