OSHA Inspection: NOOTER CORPORATION

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $250 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $250 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Current $200

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · 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 or 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 potentially toxic, explosive and/or oxygen deficient
atmospheres while performing welding operations on a variety of base
metals using gases such as, but not necessarily limited to argon and
carbon dioxide:
a) Specifically on or about 5/2/90 in the clean room an employee entered
tub #1, tilted at a 45 degree angle, to conduct a welding operation
on zirconium base metal using argon gas as a back up, shielding and
trailing gas, which created an oxygen deficient atmosphere, without
the air being monitored before entry and during operations; without
emergency rescue equipment available or procedures in effect; without
a written permit being completed or posted; and without comprehensive
confined space entry training.
b) On or about 3/27/90 in the clean room, an employee entered tub #1 in
a flat position (sides vertical, bottom downward) to conduct a
welding operation on zirconium base metal using argon gas as a back
up, shielding, and trailing gas, which created a potentially oxygen
deficient atmosphere, without the air being monitored before entry
and during operations; without emergency rescue equipment available
or procedures in effect; without a written permit being completed or
posted and without comprehensive confined space entry training.
c) On or about 4/6/90 in the clean room, employees entered a vessel,
which was recognized as a confined space by the company, through a
small opening to conduct a welding operation using argon gas as a
back up, shielding and trailing gas, without emergency rescue
equipment available or procedures in effect; without a written permit
being completed or posted; and without comprehensive confined space
entry training.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct
this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry program; such
as the program outlined in ANSI Z117.1-1989 and ANSI Z117.1-1977 as
adopted by the Steel Plate Fabricators Association, Inc. and the
provisions outlined in the 1/16/85 letter from the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration to Nooter Corporation which described the
confined space hazard and offered basic suggestions for corrective
action. The letter was received by Nooter Corporation on 1/25/85. A
minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure consists of the
following elements:
1) Written procedures covering; a permit system, personal protective
equipment, 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 atmosphere, when determined
necessary as described in (2) above. In the event that adequate
mechanical ventilation is not possible due to work conditions, then
appropriate respiratory protection is to be used, per guidance in
1910.134. Isolation/Lockout procedures with a requirment that the
confined space be completely isolated from all systems by physical
disconnection, double block and bleed, or blanking off all lines
when determined necessary in (2) above.
4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis during occupancy for presence of sufficient oxygen, a
minimum of 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,
the rescuing employees must be equipped with approved air supplied
respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective
equipment.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces. This training shall include procedures required for entry,
the hazards associated with work in confined spaces, and rescue
training procedures.
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

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Current $600

Hazardous substances X100

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Current $600

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Current $600

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Current $600

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Penalty

Initial $100 · Current $100

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992

Issued

Aug 23, 1990

Abate by

Jun 20, 1992