OSHA Inspection: LEKTRO VEND CORPORATION

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Jan 15, 1993

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $800 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 hazard of an oxygen deficient atmosphere and/or an
overexposure to trichloroethylene vapors when working in confined
spaces where ambient atmospheric concentrations/conditions were
unknown,
such as the pit area located beneath and surrounding the
degreasing
tank in the degreasing area.  Employees were required to enter
the pit area in order to perform maintenance as needed, i.e., repairing
leaking pipes.  No employee training had been conducted with respect
to permit confined space entry and rescue procedures and the associated
hazards.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate plant
Confined Space Entry Program such as that stipulated by ANSI
Z1117.11989,
Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces.  Such a program shall
include, as a minimum, the following elements:
1. Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
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
persons entering the space as determined necessary as described
in (2) above.  Such equipment must include safety harness and
life lines with 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
spaces.  This training shall include procedures required
prior to entry and hazards associated with work in confined
spaces.

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Nov 23, 1992

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Oct 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Oct 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Nov 23, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $800 Reduced

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Oct 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Nov 23, 1992

Penalty

Initial $600

Issued

Oct 20, 1992

Abate by

Oct 30, 1992