OSHA Inspection: GENERAL MOTORS CORP., DELCO PRODUCTS DIVISION

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Dec 3, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $650 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 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 confined spaces:
a) The company did not insure that the employees that were required
to enter into confined spaces were provided with adequate rescue equip-
ment and adequate standby personnel at all times. Futher, adequate
monitoring was not conducted to ensure that hazardous atmospheres did
not develop during entry into the confined space.
Among other methods one feasible and acceptable abatement to correct
this hazard is to establishment of and adherence to a minimal confined
space entry program as follows:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
1) Require employees to obtain written authorization, signed by at least
one supervisor prior to confined space entry. (confined space entry
permit). The permit must indicate special precautions and time period
for which it is valid.
2) Lockout, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical, electrical, liquid
and gas systems relating to the confined space that may create a haz-
ard during entry should these systems be put in motion or otherwise
activiated.
3) Testing of the atmosphere prior to entry into the confined space and
on a regular basis during occupancy for presence of sufficient oxy-
gen (19.5%) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible
gases (maximum 10% LEL) or dust. When toxic substances are present
for which no equipment to test the atmosphere is available, the
employee shall be permitted to enter the confined space only with
the use of air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate
personal protective equipment.
4) Establish a tag-out system to mark the confined space unsafe for
entry should tests indicate the space is unsafe for entry. marking is
to remain in place until tests indicate entry is safe.
5) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
and continued ventilation during entry to assure a safe atmosphere.
6) Written emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained
personnel are available and are stationed outside of the confined
space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons
entering the space. Such equipment must include safety harness and
lifelines with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined
space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescue employee must
be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and
other appropriate personal protective equipment.
7) The confined space entry procedures shall be written and the responsi
ble employees shall be trained in all aspects of the procedures.

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Nov 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Dec 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Nov 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $250 Reduced

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Nov 24, 1990

Penalty

Initial $600

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Nov 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $600

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Nov 27, 1990

Issued

Nov 21, 1990

Abate by

Nov 25, 1990