OSHA Inspection: LEACH COMPANY

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jun 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $392 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:
a) Employees were exposed to the hazards of explosion, chemical
poisoning and asphyxiation from flammable gases, toxic chemicals,
and oxygen deficiencies when VAC-ALL tanks were entered to apply
Bitumastic coating and to redesign baffles by torch cutting inside
the tanks. The atmosphere was not tested; there was no equipment to
facilitate rescue or escape; appropriate respiratory protection was
not provided.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish a written confined space entry
program that will establish management controls over the work being
performed and shall contain as a minimum, but not necessarily limited to
the following elements:
1) Written  procedures covering a permit system, ventilations,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
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 certifiesthat all existing
and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified personand
necessary protectivemeasures have been taken to assure 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%) and absence
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 line with provisions
for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required
for rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped with a self-
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or other equivalent respiratory
protection plus other appropriate personal protective equipment.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confiend
spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to
entry and hazard associated with work in confined spaces.

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jun 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $336 Reduced

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jun 15, 1990

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jun 15, 1990

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jan 24, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jan 24, 1990

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jan 24, 1990

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jan 24, 1990

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jan 24, 1990

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jun 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $336 Reduced

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Jun 15, 1990

Issued

Dec 15, 1989

Abate by

Dec 20, 1989