OSHA Inspection: BRENNER TANK, INC.

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Hazardous substances 172017302037

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Hazardous substances 17202037

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $700

Hazardous substances 1730

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Hazardous substances 1730

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 172017302270

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:
a) Chemical poisoning and/or death from the hazards of dangerous
accumulations of toxic gases (such as methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trich
loroethane, or petroleum distillates) while entering tank trailers in
the tank finishing area for the purpose of cold degreasing.
These hazards resulted from deficiencies in the company's tank entry
program which included the following:
1) Lack of effective ventilation while performing work inside of tanks.
2) Failure to test the atmosphere of the tank for toxics while
performing work inside of the tanks.
3) Failure to provide a means of emergency rescue.
4) Inadequate training of personnel entering the confined space.
5) Failure to utilize an auxilliary escape provision (air supply) with
an airline respirator in an unknown atmosphere or an atmosphere
immediately dangerous to life or health.
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 done and certifiesthat all existing
and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and
necessary protective measures have been taken to assure that safety
of each worker.
c) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere when determined
necessary as described in (b) above.
d) Testing of the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on
a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5%) and
absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors
when determined necessary as described in (b) above.
e) Disconnecting the power source of any equipment, machine or process
to be set-up, adjusted, repaired, serviced, cleaned, installed or
where maintenance work is to be performed and unintended motion or
release of energy would cause personal injury. Source of stored
energy such as springs, air, hydraulic, capacitors and steam shall be
evaluated in advance to determine whether to retain or relieve the
energy prior to starting the work.
f) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are available and are stationed outside the confined space with
proper equipment to provide rescue of persons entering the space as
determined necessary as described in (b) above. Such equipment must
include safety harnesses and lifelines with provisions for hoisting
employees from the confined space. If entry is required for rescue,
the rescuing employee(s) must be equipped with a self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) or other equivalent respiratory protection
plus other appropriate personal protection equipment.
g) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
space. This training shall include the procedures required prior to
entry and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces. This
would include the wearing of a body harness and tended lifeline
attached to a hoist or jib; work practices to be followed while
cleaning and locking out any moving agitators, rotating knives, etc.,
before work is allowed to begin.

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600

Hazardous substances 0685

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Hazardous substances 0685

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,200

Hazardous substances 1840

Issued

Oct 29, 1987

Abate by

Feb 4, 1988

Hazardous substances 1840