OSHA Inspection: ABBOTT CONTRACTORS, INCORPORATED

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Mar 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $1,500 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)  Hobbie Street System number six, 1401-05 North Clybourn
Avenue, Chicago, Illinois  60610 - the sanitary sewer pipe
extension, approximately twenty feet below street level was not
tested for oxygen sufficiency in accordance with American
National Standards Institute, ANSI Z117.1, Safety Requirement
for confined spaces.  The employees had  entered an existing
sewer connection approximately one hundred feet east of the pipe
opening.
The employees had entered an active sewer (confined space) that
had not been tested for oxygen sufficiency of at least 19.5% by
volume.  The sewer  pipe was being  connected to an existing
sewer.  A confined space entry procedure had been developed but
was not implemented or enforced at the site.
A confined space entry procedure shall be developed, implemented
and enforced which is specific for entry, personal protective
equipment, continuous monitoring for an explosive atmosphere and
sufficient oxygen.  Procedures shall follow American National
Standard Institute, ANSI Z117.1 - 1989 and shall include at
least the following.
(1)  Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, employee training,
designation of a qualified person for standby and emergency
procedures.
(2)  The completion and posting of 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 hazards have been evaluated by a
qualified person and the 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 of the space during operations to
provide a safe atmosphere when required.
(4)  Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry
and on a regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen 19.5%
and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or
vapors.
(5)  Emergency procedures with requirements that trained per-
sonnel are available and are stationed outside the confined
space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons
entering the space.  Such equipment must include safety harness
or lifelines with provisions for hoisting employees from the
confines space.  If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing
employee must be equipped with approved air supplied/self-
contained breathing apparatus or other appropriate respiratory
protection and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
(6)  Training shall be provided to all employees required to
enter the confined space or assist in rescue/emergency ac-
tivities.  The training shall include the procedures required
prior to entry and the hazards associated with work in the
confined space.  Use of protective, testing and rescue
equipment.

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Mar 16, 1992

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Mar 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Mar 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Mar 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $27,500 Reduced

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Mar 16, 1992

Issued

Mar 10, 1992

Abate by

Mar 16, 1992