Federal memo to electrical technicians and their employers: You must unplug and de-energize those electronic terminals before you go digging inside to make repairs.
The safety arm of the U.S. Labor Department is proposing $41,000 in fines against Hartford Financial Service Group Inc. and its maintenance contractor, Grubb & Ellis Management Services, for allegedly allowing service techs — some improperly trained — to work in and around live electrical and electronic equipment.
The  Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday it found serious violations of workplace safety standards for exposing workers to electrical hazards at The Hartford’s corporate headquarters and data center in midtown Hartford.
OSHA said The Hartford’s data center policy required electricians from Grubb & Ellis to perform work in live electrical panels for computer equipment without first de-energizing the panels, as required under the agency’s standards.
Grubb & Ellis, for its part, failed to de-energize the electrical panels before having its employees perform installation work and grid upgrades on them, the agency said.
It was issued six citations with fines totaling $34,000, OSHA said.
The Hartford faces a $7,000 penalty for requiring Grubb & Ellis workers to toil in an allegedly unsafe environment, the agency said.
Each has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply or contest the findings.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, The Hartford said, “The safety of our employees and contractors is a top priority. We have addressed all of the concerns raised during OSHA’s inspection.”
Spokesmen for Grubb & Ellis did not be immediately respond to a call Wednesday for comment.
