A local construction company is facing steep fines after a serious electrical safety violation left a worker hospitalized earlier this year.
According to a citation issued by the state’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB) to Joe Boyden Construction, the incident occurred on Jan. 17 at a residential construction site in Elephant Butte.
A contracted painter, who was not a licensed electrician, was reportedly taping off the area when they came into contact with energized electrical components. The worker reportedly suffered severe burns from a shock injury that landed them in the hospital.
During a routine inspection, state officials found that an unfinished circuit breaker panel inside the garage of the home was left with exposed live wiring, possibly leading to the incident.
Federal and state workplace safety regulations require that any electrical equipment operating at 50 volts or more be enclosed or otherwise guarded to prevent accidental contact. State regulators classified the violation as “serious,” citing the potential for injury or death.
The company was fined $4,966 for the violation, which inspectors noted was corrected during the site visit. Joe Boyden Construction did not respond to a request for comment.
