OSHA Inspection: RAY-O-VAC CORP.

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Apr 30, 1989

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $560

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) Employees were exposed to the potential hazards of oxygen deficiency
and/or toxic vapors when working in the 1500 gallon sludge tank.
b) Employees required to enter potassium hydroxide storage tanks to
repair the tanks, were exposed to the potential of oxygen deficiency
and/or toxic gases/vapors.
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 the stipulated by ANSI Z117.1
1977.  American National Standard for Working in Tanks and Other
Confined Spaces.  Essential elements of this confined space 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 entery 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
material and/or activation of energy sources (e.g. electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic. etc.).  Methods which can be sued to prevent
the entry of hazardous materials into the confined space and locking
two valves of piping leading to the confined space and locking open
a drain valves leading to the atmosphere between the two closed
valves (double block 7 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 (2) above.
5) Testing the atmospher 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 or 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.

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1620

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 31, 1991

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $360 Reduced

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 31, 1991

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 23, 1989

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $310 Reduced

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 31, 1991

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 23, 1989

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Dec 21, 1988

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Dec 21, 1988

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Dec 27, 1988

Issued

Dec 20, 1988

Abate by

Jan 20, 1989

Issued

Dec 13, 1988

Abate by

Dec 19, 1988

Penalty

Initial $50 · Current $50

Issued

Nov 17, 1988

Abate by

Nov 20, 1988

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $480