OSHA Inspection: LAKER PETROLEUM SERVICES

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-05-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $640.00 · Current $640.00

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 employmemt 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 of oxygen deficiency, combustibl/flammable/explosive
atmospheres, an toxic gases or vapors, and the employer had not
developed or implemented a confined space entry program. On February
16, 1990. and employee of Laker Petroleum Service, Inc., entered an
underground gasoline storage tank after the tank had been cleaned,
and sandblasted to apply an epoxy resin coating. The confined space
was not adequately tested for oxygen, no safety harness and lifeline
was used during the spraying of the exposy, and the standby person
stationed at the tank opening did not have the appropriate personal
protective equipment, and maintain communication with the employee
in the confined space.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards should include:
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 provedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
b) Employees 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 manufacturer'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 standby 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 employee from the
confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the resuce employee
shall be equipped with approved air supplied resipiratory equipment
and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
i) Employees who are required to work in a confined space, and the
standby 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:
1) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by
OSHA.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-05-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $480.00 · Current $480.00

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-05-17 00:00:00

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-05-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $640.00 · Current $640.00

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-05-17 00:00:00

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-05-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $560.00 · Current $560.00

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-05-17 00:00:00

Issued

1990-04-16 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-04-17 00:00:00