OSHA Inspection: SUNESIS CONSTRUCTION CO.

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,500 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) On or about July 19, 2005 and after that time, located in the second
most western excavation
and 48 inch casing therein, central excavation, second most eastern and 54
inch casing therein,
eastern most excavation, Manhole 85 and sewer therein employees performing
hand held and
pneumatic tool work, gas powered sawing, and sewer gasket inspection type
of activities were
exposed to the hazards associated with entry into confined spaces and
being overcome by toxic
gases and oxygen deficient or explosive atmospheres, in that at times
these activities were
performed without hazard identification and evaluation, atmospheric
testing, mechanical
ventilation, designation of qualified people for standby and rescue, and
implementation
of
emergency rescue procedures and equipment.
Among other methods, one recognized and feasible means of abatement to
correct this hazard
would be to implement the elements required by the American National
Standard Institute
(ANSI), Standard Z117.1-1989 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces.
Such a program shall include, as a minimum, the following elements:
1.  Develop, implement, and complete a confined space permit entry system
meeting the
requirements of ANSI Z 117.1-1989
2.  Develop and utilize effective procedures for confined space entry
including, but not limited
to, using a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue
procedures, designation of
qualified people for standby and emergency procedures.
3.  The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which
requires authorization
and approval in writing that specifies that all existing hazards have been
evaluated by a qualified
person and the necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the
safety of each
worker.
4.  Blocking, lockout or any other steps necessary to reduce to and ensure
zero mechanical,
liquid and gas systems relating to the confined space should any of these
systems be put in
motion or otherwise activated, when determined necessary as described in
(2) above.
5.  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.
6.  Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis for the
presence of sufficient oxygen and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases or
vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above.
7.  Emergency rescue procedures with requirement that trained personnel
are available and are
stationed outside the confined space with proper equipment to provide for
the rescue of personsentering the space as determined necessary as
described in (2) above. Such equipment must
include safety harness and life lines with provisions for hoisting
employees from the confined
space.  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.

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,500 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 24, 2006

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $56,000 · Current $7,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 2, 2006

Penalty

Initial $56,000 · Current $56,000