OSHA Inspection: CALUMET HEAT TREATING

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Oct 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,050 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 oxygen deficiency and/or flammable and toxic atmospheres
inside surface combustion all-case gas fired heat treat furance.
(a)  On or about February 14th, 1992, and at times prior thereto,
employees were exposed to the hazards associated with improper confined
space entry while removing scale and/or repairing and/or replacing rails
and/or bricks inside the surface combustion all-case gas fired heat
treat furnace.  Prior to entry an adequate confine space program was
not developed and implemented.  Atmospheric testing was not done,
emergency rescue equipment was not provided, nor adequate training
provided.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish, implement and enforce and adequate
plant confined space entry program such as that stipulated by ANSI Z117.
1-1989, American National Standard Safety Requirement for confined
spaces, such a program shall include, as a minimum, the following
elements:
1.  Written procedures covering a permit system, 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 that
necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker.
3.  Blinding, blocking, bleeding, purging, lockout any other steps
necessary to reduce to and ensure zero mechanical and thermal state all
mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, liquid and gas systems
relating to the confined space that may create a hazard to employees
during entry or while working in the confined space should any of these
systems be put in motion or otherwise activated.  A worker individual
lock is to be applied and a unique situation tag shall be attached to
the lock and energizing or activating controls or devices.
4.  Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere, when determined
necessary as described in (2) above.
5.  Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on
a regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5%) and absence
of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, when
determined necessary as described in (2) above.
6.  Emergency rescue procedures with 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 life lines wiht provisions for hoisting
employees from the confined space.  If entry is required for a rescue,
the rescuing employee must be equipped with approved air supplied
respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective
equipment.
7.  Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces and all employees required to standby for rescue.  This training
shall include procedures required to entry, during occupation of the
confined space, procedures for safe rescue of employees in the confined
space and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces.

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Sep 11, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Sep 11, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Sep 4, 1992

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Sep 4, 1992

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Aug 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Aug 11, 1992

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Aug 11, 1992

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Aug 12, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Sep 11, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Aug 4, 1992

Abate by

Sep 11, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Aug 2, 1992

Abate by

Aug 27, 1992

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420