OSHA Inspection: SKY HARBOR AIR SERVICE, INC

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Dec 17, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,875 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:
The employer did not provide employees involved in confined space
entry of equipment, including the 15,000 gallon above-ground fuel
tank, an adequate confined space entry procedure to protect
employees from possible overexposure to toxic substances, com-
bustible gases or vapors, and oxygen deficient atmospheres while
performing maintenance and/or repairs. During such operations
employees were or could potentially be exposed to the hazards of
asphyxiation due to low concentration of oxygen inside the equip-
ment, illness including but not limited to nervous system damage,
asphyxiation and death from jet fuel exposure, and fire or ex-
plosions due to the potential presence of explosive mixtures of
gases or vapors and oxygen inside of process equipment.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to
correct this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry
program. A minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure
consists of the following elements.
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
2) 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 done and
certifies that all existing and potential hazards have been
evaluated by a qualified person and necessary protective
measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker.
3) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry
and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmoshphere, when
determined necessary as described in (2) above.
4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry
and on a regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen
(19.5%) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible
gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2)
above.
5) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained
personnel are available and are stationed outside the confined
space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of
persons entering the space as determined necessary as described
in (2) above. Such equipment must include safety harness and
lifelines with provisions for hoisting employees from the
confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing
employee must be equipped with approved air supplied respirat-
ory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equip-
ment.
DISCLAIMERS:
1. The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested
above.
2. The methods explained are general and may not be effective in
all cases.
3. The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Jan 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $937 Reduced

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Jan 6, 1992

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Jan 6, 1992

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Jan 6, 1992

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $937 Reduced

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Jan 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $937 Reduced

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Jan 6, 1992

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $937 Reduced

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Mar 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $937 Reduced

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Dec 17, 1991

Penalty

Initial $500

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Dec 17, 1991

Penalty

Initial $500

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Dec 17, 1991