News Release Archive

Reclamation Addressing Safety Findings at Hoover Dam

Employee safety issues identified in OSHA report corrected or in remediation, never posed threat to general public, structural integrity of dam or dam operations

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615
Rose Davis, 702-293-8421

For Release: January 14, 2013

WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Reclamation has taken aggressive steps to address deficiencies identified by a recent U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection at Hoover Dam. Reclamation has worked cooperatively with OSHA during and following its inspection and is fully committed to addressing all identified deficiencies. None of these identified items jeopardized the safety of the general public or threatened the structural integrity of the dam or dam operations.

"Although one violation is one too many, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the issues raised are fixed and do not happen again," said Lower Colorado Regional Director Terry Fulp. "We are committed to the safety of all the employees who work in our facilities, the visitors who enjoy the Hoover Dam experience and the general public."

Reclamation already has taken substantial action to address most deficiencies identified by OSHA and will request an informal conference to discuss identified violations and ongoing remediation of outstanding issues.

Examples of items identified by OSHA include a drill press not mounted to a bench, equipment without the necessary guards and lack of proper labels on electrical panels, all of which have been corrected. Another example involved doors from the historical design of the dam that swing into the facility rather than out. A solution is actively under development.

Reclamation is responsible for Hoover Dam, its power plant and the facilities that support it.

"A comprehensive and well-supported occupational safety and health program is important to a strong and productive workforce," added Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor. "Reclamation will do what is necessary to ensure that safety continues to come first at its offices and facilities."

As part of its ongoing Safety Program, Reclamation will share the findings from this OSHA inspection with all of its offices to ensure the potential for similar violations does not exist at other facilities.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.