OSHA Inspection: CHEM REX, INC.

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Nov 5, 1990

Penalty

Initial $150 · Current $150

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 oxygen deficient or toxic atmosphere from
entry into confined spaces:
(a) On or about June 19, 1990, and times prior to employees
conducted cleaning operations inside of the 550 gallon
chemical resin process tanks without the continuous presence
of a standby man. Among other methods, a feasible method of
abatement would include the following:
1. The positioning of a continuous standby person with the
training and the equipment necessary to effect rescue of the
employee inside the tank if needed.
(b) On or about June 19, 1990, at at times prior to,
employees entering the 550 gallon chemical resin process
tanks were exposed to unknown atmospheres which could have
been oxygen deficient, flammable, or toxic due to the lack
of calibration of the Exotox Neotronix model 40, portable
multi-gas monitor used to test the explosive levels and
oxygen concentration inside the tanks. Among other methods,
a feasible method of abatement would include the following:
1. The acquisition and use of the 1.5% methane calibration
gas for the explosive gas sensor.
2. The evaluation and replacement of the oxygen and flamm-
able gas sensors with appropriate replacements from Neotronix.
3. The periodic re-calibration of the oxygen sensor per the
Neotronix Model 40 instruction manual.
4. Establishment of written procedures which detail the
exact procedures for calibration of the Neotronix Model 40
and the frequency and logging of calibrations conducted.

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 9, 1990

Penalty

Initial $180 · Current $180

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 10, 1990

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 15, 1990

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 9, 1990

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 10, 1990

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 10, 1990

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 10, 1990

Issued

Oct 5, 1990

Abate by

Oct 10, 1990