OSHA Inspection: RALEIGH READY MIX & ASPHALT, INC.

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Jun 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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 hazards associated with confined spaces, contributing to
these hazards were:
a.   Failure to test the atmosphere of the cement silo for
oxygen deficiency and/or toxic material before employee(s)
are permitted to enter the silo and concrete truck mixing
drums.
b.   Lack of supervisory controls over the work being performed
in the silo and concrete truckmixing drums.
c.   Crushing, suffociation and/or death from crust cement
falling from the silo and inadvertent start up of concrete
drums.
d.   Lack of personal protective equipment.
e.   Lack of training provided to employees in the hazards
associated with entering confined spaces.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct
these hazards is to establish a written confined space entry program
that will establish management controls over the work being performed
and shall contain as a minimum, but not necessarily limited to, the
following elements:
a)   Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and employee
training.
b)   The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit
which requires authorization and approval in writing that
specifies the location and type of work to be performed
and certifies that all existing and potential hazards have
been evaluated by a qualified person and necessary
protective measures have been taken to assure the safety
of each worker.
c)   Mechanical ventilation when determined necessary.
d)   Testing of the confined space atmosphere prior to entry
and on a regular basis for the presence of sufficient
oxygen (19.5%) and/or toxic substances.
e)   Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained
personnel are available and are stationed outside the
confined space with proper rescue equipment.
f)   Training of all employees required to enter the confined
space.
g)   Assure that employees utilize appropriate personal
protective equipment.
h)   Establish a means of communication between the entrant and
the standby person.

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Jun 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $500 Reduced