OSHA Inspection: ADM MASON SHOP

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $400 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:
On 4-12-90, 4-25-90, and other dates, employees in the welding shop
entered vessels under construction, which were confined spaces, for the
purpose of welding, and a confined space entry procedure as outlined in
the abatement methods was not followed.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method could
include:
1) Institute a formal confined space entry program such as stipulated by
ANSI Z117.1-1989 American National Standard of Safety Requirements
for Working in Tanks and Confined Spaces, and OSHA's proposed
standard 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit Required Confined Spaces.
A minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure consists of the
following elements:
a) Written procedures including a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
b) Employees shall be required to obtain and post a confined space entry
permit signed by a supervisor prior to confined space entry. The
permit shall specify the location and type of work to be done and
certify 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.
c) Provide mechanical ventialtion of the confined space prior to entry
and during occupancy to assure a safe atmosphere when determined
necessary as described in (b) above.
d) Test the atmosphere in the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis during occupancy of the presence of sufficient oyxgen
(minimum 19.5%) and the absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases, where such gases may be present. Measurements
shall be made with instructions calibrated daily according to
manufacturers' instructions. Instrument operators shall be trained in
the use and care of instruments.
e) Personal protective equipment such as respirators shall be chosen and
provided on the basis of testing and monitoring. Users of this
equipment shall be trained on its use and limitation. Respiratory
protection shall be used in accordance with Section .134 of 29 CFR
1910 General Industry Standards.
f) An attendant shall be stationed outside the permit space and shall
maintain effective and continuous contact with authorized entrants
during entry. The attendant shall be properly trained in hazard
recognition and rescue procedures.
g) Employees who are required to work in a confined space shall be
trained in all aspects of the confined space program, including
hazard recognition, communication with the attendant, use of
protective equipment, and emergency rescue procedures.
Disclaimer:
a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by
OSHA;
b) The methods explained are general and may be effective in all
cases;
c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
effective abatement method.

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 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:
Employees working on the seven-inch thick steel vessel in the shop
were exposed to the hazard of burns from fire because the two coils
built to burn natural gas and heat the outside of the vessel did not
conform to guildlines of NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, because there
were periods of time when the coils were unattended, and there was no
safeguard mechanism, such as thermocouple, to automatically shut off
the flow of gas to the coils in the event of a flameout.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method could
include:
1) Install a safeguard mechanism, such as a themocouple, that would
automatically shut off the flow of gas to each coil in the event of a
flameout.
2) Assign and employee to stand by the ball valves on the gas
pipeline near the coils so the flow of gas could be quickly shut off
in the event of flameout.
Disclaimer:
a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested
by OSHA;
b) The methods explained are general and may be effective in all
cases;
c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
effective abatement method.

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jun 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $600

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jun 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $100 · Current $50 Reduced

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jun 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $100 · Current $50 Reduced

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 2, 1990

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 2, 1990

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 2, 1990

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 27, 1990

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jun 30, 1990

Issued

Jun 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 2, 1990