OSHA Inspection: TRI-CITY HEAT TREAT CO. INC.

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

May 10, 1989

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $367 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to:
...the hazard of asphyxiation from potential low levels of oxygen or
from fire and explosion due to the potential presence of explosive
mixtures of vapors, gases, and oxygen. An adequate confined space
entry procedure was not developed for employees required to enter
into the surface combustion furnaces for cleaning or maintenance
purposes.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards is to develop and implement a comprehensive
written confined space entry program such as that stipulated by American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z117.1.1977 that will establish
management controls over the work being performed and shall contain,
but not necessarily be limited to, the following elements:
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric
testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
2) The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which
requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the
location and type of work to be done and certifies that all existing
and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and
necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of
each worker.
3) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere when determined
necessary as described in (2) above.
4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5) and absence of
hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, when
determined necessry as discribed in (2) above.
5) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are available and are stationed outside the confined space with
proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons entering the
space as determined necessary as described in (2) above. If entry is
required for a rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped with
approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate
personal protective equipment.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to
entry and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces.
Disclaimers:
a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by
OSHA.
b) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 14, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $315 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $262 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 14, 1989

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $262 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $315 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $315 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 14, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $315 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $367 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $367 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $140 · Current $105 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

May 10, 1989

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 24, 1989

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 14, 1989

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

Apr 7, 1989

Issued

Apr 4, 1989

Abate by

May 10, 1989