OSHA Inspection: WYMAN-GORDON COMPANY

Issued

Jun 8, 1990

Abate by

Jul 9, 1990

Penalty

Initial $630 · Current $441 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 hazard of asphyxiation, illnesses, and the hazard of fire and
explosion. The employer, Wyman-Gordon Company, did not provide
employees, involved in confined space entry into the Weingarten
pit, Hosenclever roll pit, the trimmer pit and the cement vault
area, an adequate confined space entry procedure to protect
employees from possible over-exposure to toxic substances, com-
bustible gases and oxygen deficient atmospheres while cleaning a
sludge mixture of oil, scale and water from the pits.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to
correct this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry
program. A minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure
consists of the following elements:
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, 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) 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 hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or
vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above.
5) Emergency rescueprocedures 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 lifelines
with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space.
If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing employee must be
equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and
other appropriate personal protective equipment.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the
confined spaces. This training shall include procedures required
prior to entry and the hazards associated with work in confined
spaces.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested
above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in
all cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Jun 8, 1990

Abate by

Jul 9, 1990

Penalty

Initial $630 · Current $441 Reduced

Issued

Jun 8, 1990

Abate by

Jul 9, 1990

Penalty

Initial $540 · Current $378 Reduced

Issued

Jun 8, 1990

Abate by

Jun 11, 1990

Penalty

Initial $540 · Current $378 Reduced

Issued

Jun 8, 1990

Abate by

Jul 9, 1990