OSHA Inspection: SUBURBAN RENDCO

Issued

Sep 12, 1985

Abate by

Sep 15, 1985

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $320 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
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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
dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide:
a) On 6/6/85 at 1:30 PM - Wanaque South Project, Jefferson St.,
Pequannock, NJ site. An employee operating a gasoline powered
Bobcat (registered) bucket loader in the stretch of 102 inch pipe
extending from the Air Vacuum Outlet Station #275+90 to the Newark
Pomptom Tpke, was exposed to dangerously high carbon monixide levels,
causing him to lose consciousness. Specificially, the employee's
carboxyhemoglobin taken one half-hour after his rescue and the
administration of oxygen was 47.3%. Actual carboxyhemoglobin
concentration at time of exposure was significantly higher. This
47.3% blood carboxyhemoglobin corresponds to an inhald concentration
of 445 ppm. This concentration exceeds the American Conference of
Industrial Hygienist Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Excursion
Limit (T.L.V. - S.T.E.L.) of 400 ppm. The employee was exposed to
this very high carbon monoxide concentration for approximately 15
min.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to refrain from using gas powered equipment in
places (such as the water pipe in question) where carbon monoxide gas
can build up to dangerous levels in a very short time. Electric or
certified diesel equipment can be substituted. Reference: 29 CFR 1926.
800(c)(2)(vii).

Issued

Sep 12, 1985

Abate by

Sep 25, 1985

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $320 Reduced

Issued

Sep 12, 1985

Abate by

Sep 25, 1985

Issued

Sep 12, 1985

Abate by

Sep 20, 1985

Issued

Sep 12, 1985

Abate by

Sep 16, 1985

Issued

Sep 12, 1985

Abate by

Sep 16, 1985