OSHA Inspection: SIMPSON & SONS, INC.

Issued

1991-08-12 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-08-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4500.00 · Current $3376.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-08-12 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-08-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2250.00 · Current $1687.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-08-12 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-08-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2250.00 · Current $1687.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-08-12 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1800.00 · Current $1350.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-08-12 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1800.00 · Current $1350.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-08-12 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $22500.00 · Current $16875.00 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:
a)  Employees, entering railroad tanker cars to perform maintenance
and repair activities, were exposed to the hazards of entering
a confined space which could have contained hazardous airborne
contaminants or lacked sufficient oxygen, without adequate
confined space entry procedures.
1)  On or about June 28, 1991, an employee acting as a stand-by
person for another employee inside a railcar performing
sand-blasting, was not adequately trained and equipped to perform
a rescue.
2)  On about July 2, 1991, employees acting as stand-by persons
in two separate entries were not properly equipped to perform
a rescue.  In both cases, tripods were not in use during the
entries and respiratory protection was not immediately available.
3)  On or about July 16 & 17, 1991, employees stuck their heads
down inside a railcar during the pumping out of steep water
without first checking the atmosphere or following the employer's
confined space entry procedures.
4)  On or about July 23, 1991, employees had a five minute escape
respirator selected for rescue without an air line respirator.
Employees were entering railcars for inspections of linings and
to inspect cleaning of crude oil cars and perform some scraping
and cleaning.
5)  Employees performing atmosphere testing were entering railcars
to check the atmosphere without respiratory protection.  The
employees could not check the pockets in the railcars without
actually entering the railcars.
Among other methods of abatement of the hazards, one feasible
method to abate these deficiencies, includes, but is not limited
to instituting:  a)  a requirement that, prior to every tank entry ,
employees must obtain written authorization signed by at least one
supervisor; the permit must specify the period of time over which
it is valid; b) means of executing an immediate rescue of each
employee entering a tank, including the use of safety harnesses an d
lifelines in conjunction with mechanical hoisting equipment, and/o r
additional stand-by personnel equipped with appropriate respirator y
protection; c)  written emergency rescue procedures to be followed
by stand-by personnel in the event that a tank rescue becomes
necessary; d) tagout procedures for tanks which have been de-
termined to be unsafe for entry;  e)  train ing and equipping the
entering and observing persons with the proper protective equipmen t
and the training of all involved personnel in emergency procedures ;
f)  written policies of enforcement of all aspects of the railroad
tank car entry program.
Simpson  and Sons Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this
Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard
Section 5(a)(1)  which was contained in OSHA inspection number
18053926, citation number 01, item number 001, issued on 02/07/91.

Issued

1991-08-12 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9000.00 · Current $6750.00 Reduced