OSHA Inspection: FARNER ENTERPRISES, INC.

Issued

Sep 23, 1992

Abate by

Oct 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish his employees 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) Farner Enterprises, Inc., employees working at S. Pennsylvania
and Costillo, Littleton, CO, on or about 7/21/92 and at times prior
thereto, were exposed to potential toxic levels of Hydrogen Sulfide
and Methane gas while entering sewer line manholes without the benefit
of a comprehensive confined space entry program, in that jelements
such as, but not limited to, the following were not addressed:
1. A confined space entry permit system was not in place.
2. Atmospheric testing was not performed correctly prior to
confined space entry.
3. The attendant's training was deficient.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct these hazards is to implement and enforce a confined space
entry program in accordance with American National Standard Safety
Requirements for Confined Spaces (ANSI) Z117.1-1989.