OSHA Inspection: SWS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 20, 1990

Penalty

Initial $540 · Current $540

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 following hazards:
(a) Employees entering the sewer line on Cathedral Avenue were ex-
posed to the hazards of oxygen defiency, hydrogen sulfide, car-
bon monoxide, and combustible gases such as methane, were not
required to obtain a confined space entry permit.
(c) Stand-by personnel for employees entering the confined space
on Cathedral Avenue were not trained in CPR and first aid.
Emergency rescue equipment such as but not limited to, self
contained breathing apparatus and mechanical retreival device
were not provided.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct
this hazard is implementation of an effective confined space entry
procedure which requires the following:
i) employees to obtain written authorization, signed by at least
one supervisor prior to confined space entry (confined space
entry permit). The permit must indicate special precautions
and time period for which it is valid.
ii) Lock out, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical,
electrical, liquid and gas systems relating to the confined
space that may be put in motion or otherwise  activated.
iii) Testing of the atmosphere prior to entry and on a regular
basis during occupancy for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5
percent) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases(maximum 10% LEL). When toxic substances
are encountered for which no testing equipment is available.
the confined space shall only be entered with the use of
air supplied respiratory equipment and other personal
protective equipment.
iv) establishment of a tag out system to mark the confined space
unsafe for entry should tests indicate the space is unsafe
for entry. Marking should remain in place until testingace
indicates the space is safe for entry.
v) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to and
during entry to assure a safe atmosphere.
vi) Written emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that
trained personnel are available and are stationed outside
the confined space with proper rescue equipment to provide
for the rescue of persons entering the confined space. 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 rescue employee must
be equipped with air supplied respiratory equipment and other
appropriate personal protective equipment.
vii) the confined space entry procedures shall be written and
the responsible employees shall be trained in all aspects
of the procedures.

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 20, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 10, 1990

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 12, 1990

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 12, 1990

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Oct 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $100 Reduced

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Oct 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $810

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 7, 1990

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 6, 1990

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 7, 1990

Issued

Sep 4, 1990

Abate by

Sep 7, 1990