OSHA Inspection: AIR FILTER SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

May 29, 1987

Abate by

Jun 26, 1987

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $140 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupatinal 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 hazards of toxic or explosive atmospheres by entering confined space
without observing adequate safe entry procedures.
Feasible and useful methods to correct this hazard are outlined in
ANSI Z117.1-1977 (Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other
Confined Spaces:
a) Staple Department: Wire winders' pits were entered and the following
deficiencies in confined space work procedures were noted:
1) A Qualified person did not test the atmosphere of the pit where the
presence of flammable, explosive or toxic contaminants may exist
prior to employee entry to determine the nature and extent of any
such hazard. (ANSI Z117.1-1977 Section 3.1 General Precautions Before
Entry).
2) Where it was not practical to lock a switch, controls were not tagged
to indicate that employees were working on the equipment (ANSI Z117.
1-1977 Sec. 3.2.4.3 Tagging).
3) The pit was not ventilated to prevent the accumulation of flammables
in the atmosphere above 10% of the lower flammable limit (L.F.L.)
(ANSI Z117.1-1977 Sec 3.3.1(1) Ventilation).
4) Before employees were permitted to enter a pit in which potential
hazards may exist, a qualified person did not determine what
precautions must be taken, reduce them to writing and then sign and
issue an entry permit (ANSI Z117.1-1977 Section 5.1 Entry Permit)
5) While employees were inside a confined space, an employee within
voice or visual range was not available in the immediate vicinity to
render such emergency assistance as may be required. (ANSI Z117.1-
1977 Section 5.3.2 Standby)
6) Hollow spaces, such as ventilation ductwork, located in a confined
space were not cleaned, inspected and tested prior to performing hot
work (e.g. drilling and installing self-tapping screws) (ANSI Z117.1-
1977 Section 6.1.5(1) Hot Work).
7) Suitable portable fire extinguishers were not available to employees
in the confined space (ANSI 117.1-1977 Section 6.3.1 Fire Prevention)

Issued

May 29, 1987

Abate by

Jun 13, 1987

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $140 Reduced

Issued

May 29, 1987

Abate by

Jun 15, 1987

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $140 Reduced