See this hazard at the Government Center MBTA Station in Boston, Masachusetts!

Did you check to see if it was alive?

Seeing that the old green paint is present behind where the also painted cover plate would have covered, I'd guess that this has been like this for decades. Should be fixed, maybe a lone ranger will happen by...

The green paint color means its grounded!

Said "lone ranger" would probably have to be a card-carrying MBTA employee.

If anyone else - Joe included - tried to fix this little situation, a Boston PD subway cop would probably be cuffing him and charging him with anything from simple vandalism (you're trying to steal the outlet or the plate) to attempted terrorism (disabling or tampering with the electrical circuits in the subway).

Is this on a station along the Green train, Joe?

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 12-23-2003).]

I can assure you that it is alive, and is used to supply power to a fan mounted above that runs around the clock when it gets hot and, YES it is along the Green Line.

I sent the MBTA a copy of the link, I will check back after a while to see if it was fixed!

Lots of violations along the stations and tracks and it is probably because there are budget cuts, etc.

Good work Joe!,
Just a small question, how far above ground level is this outlet?.

Trumpy

This is located about 8 inches from the platform.

It was probably kicked away some time ago?

Or the cord used to supply the fan above about 8 feet high, was yanked till it broke away the 6/32 screw that secured the strap or yoke to the box.

[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 12-27-2003).]

Joe

There are no codes that will stop this kind of work/maintenance nightmare. What needs to be addressed is how to deal with it, who to confront to let them know the 'potential' danger, and come up with a workable plan to reduce the hazard.
1. Data needs to be developed that will be the base of confronting this issue.

2. A plan as to how to deal with the work/maintenance nightmare.

3. Directing the above two areas to the proper entity that can make this happen - such as the insurance industry.

I do not see any public institution that will move on this in any timely fashion. As you have mentioned you will see this issue until you ... I believe that the one of the most efficient ways time wise and otherwise to deal with this is through the entity that will benefit the fastest and the most, INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Pierre