OSHA Inspection: ALLIED SIGNAL CORP.

Issued

Aug 10, 1989

Abate by

Apr 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $405 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:
a) On or about the months of May and June, 1989, and that time prior
thereto at the #12 Creosote storage tank, employees were exposed to
the hazards of potentially hazardous atmospheres of organic vapors
from creosote deficiency of oxygen, and inadequately equipped rescue
personnel in a confined space while they cleaned out sludge.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct
this hazard is to:
1) Implement a confined space entry program which includes as a minimum:
(a) Atmospheric testing for oxygen deficiency and air contaminants
prior to and during employees entry into the confined space.
Atmospheric testing for explosive vapors within the confined space
prior to and during employee entry into the confined space. (b) The
use of ground fault circuit interrupterswith electrical equipment
where required. (c) Provision of standby employee(s) constantly
available at the entry site who have suitable rescue equipment
immediately available for emergency use. (d) Provision and use of
appropriate respiratory protective equipment during confined space
entry. (e) Employee training on safe confined space entry procedures.
(f) A tag-out system or other uniform means which informs employees
when a confined space can not be entered.
2) To cease from checking off item #7 on the back of the Confined Space
Entry Permit which indicated that there was a test made for a
poisonous atmosphere when no such test was made.
3) To incorporate into the written program the periodic calibration of
the Oxygen/Combustible Gas Detector used for measuring the confined
space atmosphere.