OSHA Inspection: ECOLAB, INCORPORATED

Issued

Mar 18, 1992

Abate by

Jul 22, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $3,000 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
the hazards of oxygen deficient, flammable, and/or toxic atmospheres while
working in vessels, tanks, and/or pits.
On or about December 10, 1991, an employee entered a raw material storage
tanki number 443 that had formerly contained hydroxyacetic acid while the
employer had not developed and confined space entry program nor provided
training in the hazards associated with confined spaces and/or rescue
activity.  Employees were thereby oxygen deficient, flammable, and/or toxic
atmospheres.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate plan.
Confined Space Entry Program such as that stipulated by ANSI Z1117.1-1989.
Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other Confined Spaces.  Such
as program shall include, as a minimum, 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 aproval in writing that specifies that 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.  Lockout, blocking, stopping and reducing machines to zero mechanical
and thermal state of all mechanical, electrical, liquid and gas systems
relating to the confined space that may create a hazard during entry should
these systems be put in motion or otherwise activated.  A worker individual
lock is to be applied and a unique and situation tag shall be attached
to the lock and energizing controls.
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 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, when determined
necessary as described in (2) above.
6.  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 lines with provisions for hoisting
employees from the confined space.  If entry is required for a rescue,
the rescuing employee must be equipped with approved air supplied
respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
7.  Training of any and all employees required to enter the required prior
entry and the hazards associated with work in confined space.

Issued

Mar 18, 1992

Abate by

Mar 21, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $1,125

Issued

Mar 18, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,300 Reduced

Issued

Mar 18, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,300 Reduced