OSHA Inspection: THE HENRY FERTILIZER COMPANY

Issued

Oct 18, 1991

Abate by

Dec 20, 1991

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $525 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 8-30-91, and other dates, employees in the mill entered the
granulator, dryer #1, and dryer #2, which were confined spaces,
for the purpose of inspecting, cleaning, and maintenance.  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:
Institute a formal confined space entry program such as
that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1-1990, 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 ventilation 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 for the
presence of sufficient oxygen (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 instruments calibrated daily
according to the 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 not be effective
in all cases;
c.   The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out
an effective abatement method.

Issued

Oct 18, 1991

Abate by

Jun 5, 1992

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $525 Reduced

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Oct 4, 1991

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $700 Reduced

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Oct 4, 1991

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Oct 4, 1991

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Nov 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $420 Reduced

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Nov 21, 1991

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Sep 27, 1991

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $420 Reduced

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Sep 27, 1991

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Nov 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $700 Reduced

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Oct 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $700 Reduced

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Nov 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $700

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Oct 7, 1991

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Oct 4, 1991

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $560 Reduced

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Oct 4, 1991

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Sep 27, 1991

Penalty

Initial $350

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Sep 27, 1991

Issued

Sep 18, 1991

Abate by

Nov 21, 1991