OSHA Inspection: BRIDGEWATER PROTECTIVE COATINGS, INC.

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1993-05-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2500.00 · Current $1750.00 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 asphyxiation due to the insuffient
oxygen, explosion from combustible vapors, or inhalation of toxic
substances in confined spaces:
a- Employees are required to enter tanks to inspect, sand blast,
grind, prime, spray paint and re-line the interiors.  The tanks
vary in length from 15 ft. to 40 ft., and id diameter from 10
ft. to 12 ft.  The size of the manhole used for entry varies
from 1.5 ft. to 2 ft.
These hazards resulted from a failure to implement the confined
space entry procedures and deficiencies in the program which
included the following:
a- The tanks' atmopsheres were not tested for oxygen
ddeficiency and/or the concentration of combustible capors
before employees were permitted to enter.
b- A written permit system was not established to certify
that all hazards have been evaluated and communicated to
employees before they enter the tank.
c- Lack of training provided to employees in the hazards
associated with entering confined spaces and the methods
they can take to minimize them.
d- Equipment necessary fior safe entry, including retrieval
-lines and harnesses, was not provided, maintained and its
use was not ensured.
e- Procedures and equipment necessary to rescue employees
from the tanks were not implemented and provided.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct the hazard is to assure implementation of
the confiend space entry program to include, but not be limited
to the following items:
1- Ensure instruction and trainin gof employees entering
tanks and attendantss.  Trainings houdl include, but not
be limited to:  hazard recognition, communication, protective
equipment and rescue.
2- Posting of written confiend space entry procedures
adjacent to tanks.
3- Issuing a proper entry permits prior to tank entry to
ensure that all hazards have been evaluated.
4- Conduct atmopsheric testing of tanks to determine
potential oxygen deficiency and the presence of air
contaminants, prior to employee entry and during the time
the employee is working in the tank.
5- Where it has been determined that the confined space
contains a hazardous concentration of an air contamination
and/or an oxzygen deficiency, the use of mechanically-induced
ventilation in the confined space/tank before entry and
during occupancy.  The use of respiratory protective
equipment which provides adequate protection against the
hazards encountered.
6- Provisions and procedures for a standby observed located
outside the confined apce/tank and readily available standby
equipment consisting of retrieval line and harness, which
the employee is wearing in the confined space.

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-09-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2500.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-08-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2500.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-08-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $750.00 · Current $450.00 Reduced

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1993-05-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $550.00 Reduced

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-08-10 00:00:00

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $450.00 Reduced

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $300.00 Reduced

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-14 00:00:00

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-14 00:00:00

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-14 00:00:00

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-24 00:00:00

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-14 00:00:00

Issued

1992-07-09 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-07-14 00:00:00