OSHA Inspection: HARRY W. KUHN, INCORPORATED

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Jan 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $800

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 space:
Employees were installing water main piping and entering mahholes for
the purpose of aligning laser. The employer did not carry out or
enforce a confined space entry procedure and program requiring the
training of all employees in confined space entry procedures;
testing and monitoring of the atmosphere for the presence of
sufficient oxygen and the absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases or vapors, and had not established a rescue
procedure.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate construction
work site Confined Space Entry Program such as that stipulated by ANSI
Z117.1-1977, Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other Confined
Spaces. Such a program shall include, as a minimum, the following
elements:
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilations,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
2) The completion and posting of a warning sign and 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 designated by the employer,and necessary protective
measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker.
3) 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.
4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5% to 25%) and
absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors,
when determined necessary as described in (2) above.
5) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are available and are stationed outside the confined space with
proper equipment to provide for the rescue of personsentering the
space as determined necessary as described in (2) above. Such
equipment must include safety harness and life lineswith provisions
for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required
for rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped with approved air
supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal
protective equipment. Note: Under no circumstances is the standby
person to enter the confined space until assured that adequate
assistance is present.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
This training shall include procedures requiredprior to entry and
hazards associated with work in confined spaces.

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 21, 1989

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 21, 1989

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 18, 1989

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Jan 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $200

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 30, 1989

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 18, 1989

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $2,400

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 21, 1989

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 21, 1989

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Jan 15, 1990

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Jan 15, 1990

Issued

Dec 14, 1989

Abate by

Dec 21, 1989