OSHA Inspection: CIRCUIT WEST INC.

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

Apr 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $600 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 asphyxiation and/or chemical poisoning from the hazards of
oxygen deficiency and/or dangerous accumulations of toxic substances
during confined space entry:
(a)  On 1/23/92 an employee entered a pipe valve vault in
the Plating Room to release treated wastewater from a
holding sump into the city sewer system.  The employer's
confined space entry program was deficient in that:
1.  A confined space entry permit system was not in place.
2.  The employee was not trained in the hazards associated
with entering confined spaces or with the methods that the
employee could use to minimize these hazards.
3.  Atmospheric testing for oxygen deficiency, flammable gas
and toxic air contaminants was not conducted prior to
entering the confined space.
4.  Mechanical ventilation was not used to purge the con-
fined space of dangerous atmospheric contaminants and to
maintain a supply of fresh air.
5.  An emergency response rescue program was not developed
or implemented.
Among other methods, two feasible and acceptable methods to
abate these hazards area:
a.  Devise and install and device to remotely operate
the treated-water release valve to preclude the necess-
ity of employees entering the manhole.
b.  If at any time it is necessary that employees enter
the manhole, or any other confined space, developed and
implement a confined space entry program which meets
the criteria of Safety Requirements For Confined
Spaces, American national Standard Institute (ANSI
Z117.1 - 1989).

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

Apr 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $300 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 incompatible chemical storage which could lead to fire,
explosion or the generation of toxic gas:
(a)  In the Chemical Storage Area three 100lb cans of 42
nitric acid, three 55 gal. drums of 50hydrogen peroxide,
and four 55 gal.  drums of 50sodium hydroxide were stored
within close proximity to each other.
1.  Accidental mixture of nitric acid with hydrogen peroxide
can result in a violent reaction.
2.  Accidental mixture of nitric acid with sodium hydroxide
can result in a violent reaction.
3.  Accidental mixture of hydrogen peroxide with sodium
hydroxide can result in a violent reaction.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to
abate these hazards are to store these incompatible chem-
icals in separate physical locations or to store the highly
reactive oxidizers (nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide) each
in separate approved chemical storage cabinets.

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

May 21, 1992

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

May 21, 1992

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

Apr 30, 1992

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

Apr 30, 1992

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

Apr 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Mar 27, 1992

Abate by

Mar 31, 1992