OSHA Inspection: RAIN FRESH MUSHROOMS, INCORPORATED, DELP PLANT

Issued

Sep 28, 1994

Abate by

Oct 31, 1994

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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 potentially oxygen
deficient, toxic and/or explosive atmosphere(s) during entry into,
work in, and exit from confined spaces:
(a)COMPOSTING RUNOFF WATER STORAGE TANKS - EMPLOYEE(S)
ENTERED TANK(S) TO CLEAN SEDIMENT, AND TO CLEAR A
BLOCKAGE IN A TANK INTERCONNECTOR PIPE.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD
TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT A CONFINED
SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM AND PROCEDURES WHICH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
ASPECTS:
1.Instruction of all entry personnel and supervision as to
the nature of the hazards involved and necessary
precautions to be taken relative to confined space entry.
2.Posting of written confined space entry procedures
adjacent to confined space areas which may be entered.
3.Use of cleaning, purging and ventilating procedures that
do not require entry of confined spaces by employees.
4.Implementation of lockout and isolation procedures, where
applicable, and issuance of a proper entry permit, prior
to confined space entry.
5.Use of atmospheric testing procedures to determine the
presence of oxygen deficiencies and/or hazardous air
contaminants prior to entry into confined spaces.
6.Where it has been determined that the confined space(s)
contains a hazardous air contaminant level and/or an
oxygen deficiency, use of mechanically induced
ventilation in the confined space before entry and during
occupancy and/or use of respiratory protective equipment
which provides adequate protection against the hazard(s)
encountered.
7.Use of appropriate personal protective clothing, where
applicable.
8.Provisions for a standby observer located outside the
confined space, and a means of communication with the
worker inside the confined space, and a means of
obtaining immediate help in an emergency.
9.Provision, procedures and use of readily available
emergency rescue equipment consisting of a safety lineand harness
arrangement.
10.Periodic training/refresher training sessions for all
entry employees and supervision, relative to confined
space entry, rescue and first aid procedures.

Issued

Sep 28, 1994

Abate by

Oct 31, 1994