OSHA Inspection: HEDRICK CONCRETE PRODUCTS CORP.

Issued

Dec 28, 1989

Abate by

Sep 24, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $560

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
crushing hazards due to inadvertent or intentional start up of machinery
while performing maintenance or cleaning operations on plant equipment
such as Silos for Block Plant, bins #1-8.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate plant
lockout/tagout procedure consisting of, but not limited to, the
following:
1) The development of an energy control program, using locks when
equipment can be locked out.
2) Employment of additional means to ensure safety when tags rather than
locks are used to control energy sources by implementing and
enforcing an effective tagout program.
3) Ensure that new equipment or overhauled equipment can accommodate
locks.
4) Identification and implementation of specific procedures (preferably
in writing) for the control of hazardous energy including preparation
for shutdown, actual shutdown or equipment, isolation of equipment,
lock/tagout application, release of stored energy, and verification
of isolation.
5) Institution of procedures for release of lockout/tagout including
machine inspection, notification and safe positioning of employees
and removal of the lockout/tagout device.
6) Obtaining standardized locks and tags which indicate the identity of
the employee using them and which are of sufficient quality and
durability to ensure their effectiveness.
7) Conducting inspections of energy control procedures on a frequent
basis.
8) Training of employees in the specific energy control procedures with
training reminders as part of the periodic inspections of the control
procedures.
9) Adoption of procedures to ensure safety when equipment must be tested
during servicing, when outside contractors are working at the site,
when a multiple lockout is needed for a crew servicing equipment and
when shifts or personnel change.
This abatement method outlined above is general and the employer, based
on his superior knowledge of working conditions, is responsible for
developing and implementing an abatement method which will be suitably
protective of employee's safety and health.
NOTE: The new OSHA Lockout/Tagout standard goes into effect October
31, 1989 and should be followed when developing an abatement program.
However, there has been an administrative stay on enforcement until
January 2, 1990.

Issued

Dec 28, 1989

Abate by

Sep 24, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $560

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 oxygen deficiency and toxic atmospheres during
confined entry to perform maintenance and cleaning operations at the
Aggregate Storage Silos for Block Plant, Bins #1-8:
One feasible and acceptable 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, 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 safe atmosphere, 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 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.
NOTE: The abatement method outlined above is general and the employer,
based on his superior knowledge of working conditions, is responsible
for developing and implementing an abatement method which will be
suitably protective of employee's safety and health.