OSHA Inspection: PRECISION TANK & EQUIPMENT CO. INC.

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-08-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $280.00 · Current $280.00

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, and the hazard of fire and explosion.
The employer, Precision Tank & Equipment Co., Inc., did not provide
employees involved in confined space entry into 30,000 gallon tanks an
adequate confined space entry procedure to protect employees from
possible over-exposure to toxic substances, combustible gases and oxygen
deficient atmospheres while spray painting the interiors of tanks with
ultra-line 356 epoxy.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to
correct this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry
program, as described in ANSI Z.177.1-1977. 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 rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are available and are stationed outside 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 qppropriate personal
protective equipment.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
space. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry
and the hazards associated with work in confined space.
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

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-08-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $280.00 · Current $280.00

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-08-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $200.00 · Current $200.00

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-08-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $240.00 · Current $240.00

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $240.00 · Current $240.00

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-07-31 00:00:00

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-08-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $240.00 · Current $240.00

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-08-23 00:00:00

Issued

1990-07-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-07-25 00:00:00