OSHA Inspection: PRIMEGG, LTD.

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $245 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) Entry into confined spaces, such as but not limited to, Holding Tank,
Storage Tanks, dryer and boilers without a Confined Space Entry
Program.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards is to establish and enforce an adequate plant
confined space entry procedure such as that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1
1977. American National Standard for Working in Tanks and Other Confined
Spaces. Essential elements of this confined sapce entry procedure would
include:
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, isolation, ventilation,
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 certifies that all existing
and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and
necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of
each worker.
3) Isolation of the confined space to preclude the energy of hazardous
materials and/or activation of energy sources (e.g. electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic, etc.). Methods which can be used to prevent
the entry of hazardous materials into the confined space inlclude:
removing pipe sections, blanking pipelines or closing and locking
two valves of piping leading to the confined space and locking open
a drain valve leading to the atmosphere between the two closed valves
(double block and bleed).
Methods which can be used to prevent activation of energy sources
affecting the confined space include: locking out electrical line
switches to equipment controlling moving hazards, dissipating stored
energy in capacitors, air, steam, water and other pressure lines and
blocking or repositioning springs, elevated machine members and
rotating flywheels to prevent the release of stored energy.
4) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere when determined
necessary as described in (a) above.
5) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5% or
greater) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic, flammable or
combustible gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described
in (2) above.
6) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are available and stationed outside the confined space with proper
equipment to provide for rescue of person(s) entering the space. Such
equipment must include safety harness(es) and lifeline(s) with
provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry
is required for rescue, the rescuing employee(s) must be equipped
with approved supplied air respiratory equipment with escape
provisions for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) plus other
appropriate personal protective equipment.
7) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to
entry, the hazards associated with work in confined spaces as well
as emergency rescue.
8) Rescue. Ensure that the proceduires and equipment necessary to rescue
entrants from permit spaces are implemented and provided;
9) Protection from external hazars. Ensure that all pedestrian, vehicle
or other barriers necessary to protect entrants from external hazards
are provided;
10) Duty to other employers. Ensure that, when an employer such as a
contractor, plans to send employees into a permit space which is
under the control of another employer (host employer), the host
employer provides the contractor with all available information on
permit space hazards; on efforts to comply with this standard; and
on any other workplace hazards, safety rules and emergency
procedures of which the contractor needs to be aware of.

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $280 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Penalty

Initial $150 · Current $105 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Penalty

Initial $150 · Current $105 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $175 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $175 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $140 Reduced

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

May 21, 1990

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

May 21, 1990

Issued

May 17, 1990

Abate by

Jun 18, 1990