OSHA Inspection: C & S TANK LINING CORP.

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

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 hazard on September 8, 1988 of entering underground gasoline
storage tanks, a confined space, to abrasive blast the inside in that
the confined space was not adequately tested for oxygen and flammable
atmospheres prior to drilling and cutting; no testing for oxygen
excess or deficient atmosphere prior to entry into the confined
space; no safety harness and lifeline was used during the abrasive
blasting of the underground gasoline storage tanks; and the standby
person stationed outside the confined space did not have the
appropriate personal protective equipment and maintain communication
with employee in the confined space to protect the employees from
possible overexposure to toxic substances, including gasoline
vapors, flammable and oxygen deficient atmospheres.
During the abrasive balsting and lining of the underground gasoline
storage tanks, employees could potentially be exposed to the
hazards of asphyxiation and angina due to oxygen deficient atmosphere
inside the underground storage tanks and central nervous system
effects due to the release of gasoline vapors during the abrasive
blasting and application of EP 89 Resin lining epoxy.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazard should include:
1) Expand and enforce the procedures for air monitoring prior to
confined space entry:
The confined space shall be tested prior to entry and on a regular
basis as determined by a qualified person during occupancy for the
presence of toxic substances.
Testing shall be conducted during the operation for levels of
flammable vapors, to be maintained below 10% of the lower explosive
limit. Measuremetn shall be made with instruments calibrated daily
according to manufacturers instructions. Instrument operators shall
be trained in the use and care of instruments.
2) Institute a formal confined space entry program (such as that
stipulated by ANSI Z117.1-1977: American National Standard of Safety
Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other Confined Spaces). A
minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure consists of the
following elements:
a) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric
testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
b) Employee shall be required to obtain and post a written authorization
signed by a supervisor prior to confined space entry (a confined
space entry permit). The permit shall specify 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.
c) Provide 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) Test the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis as
determined necessary as described in (b) above, during occupancy for
the presence of at least 19.5% oxygen and/or presence of toxic
substances. Testing shall be conducted at the same time for levels
of flammable vapors (which should be maintained below 10% of the
lower explosive limit). Measurements shall be made with instruments
calibrated daily according to manufacture's instructions. Instrument
operators shall be trained in the use and care of the instruments.
e) Lockout and tagout procedures shall be used for any electrical or
mechanical equipment to which an employee in a confined space could
be exposed.
f) Personal protective equipment such as respiratory protection shall
be chosen and provided on the basis of testing and monitoring. Users
of this equipment shall be trained in its limitations and use.
Respiratory protection shall be used in accordance with Section 1910.
134 of 29 CFR General Industrial Standards.
g) Require an individual to stand by for rescue outside the confined
space to be in immediate contact with the employee in the confined
space.
h) Emergency rescue procedures shall be established with a requirement
that the stand-by person is stationed outside of the confined space
with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of the person
entering the space. Such equipment shall include a safety harness
and lifelines with provisions for hoisting the employees from the
confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing
employee shall be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory
equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
i) Employees who are required to work in a confined space, and the
stand-by person, shall be trained in all aspects of the confined
space program.
j) Assignment of a competent individual to ensure enforcement of the
confined space entry procedures, adequate training of the employees
involved in confined space entry, and proficiency in the use of
protective equipment.
Disclaimers:
a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by
OSHA.
b) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Nov 28, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Nov 23, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Nov 23, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 2, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 2, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 2, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Dec 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 15, 1988

Abate by

Nov 21, 1988

Penalty

Initial $40 · Current $40