OSHA Inspection: KNOMARK, INCORPORATED

Issued

Oct 11, 1989

Abate by

Oct 26, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

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 potential for excessive airborne concentrations of chemical vapors
and/or for asphyxiation when working in confined spaces such as raw
material tanks or sprinkler system pits where ambient atmospheric
concentrations/conditions are unknown:
Employees are required to enter tanks and pits to perform
maintenance work, repair and cleaning.
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 Z117.1-1977
Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and other Confined Spaces. Such
a program shall include, as a minimum, 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 warning sign and 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 designated by the employer, 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% to 25%) and
absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors,
when determined necessary as describe in (2) above.
5) 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 rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipeed with approved air
supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal
protective equiment. Note: Under no circumstances is the standby
person to entry the confined space until assured that adequate
assistance is present.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to
entry and hazards associated with work in confined spaces.

Issued

Oct 11, 1989

Abate by

Oct 26, 1989

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 being caught in, of crushing and/or amputation, when
cleaning or repairing inside equipment such as the raw material tanks.
In the establishment., the employer did not provide an adequate
program, nor were employees adequately trained in the recognition
of hazards, safe shut down of equipment and reducing them to zero
mechanical state as evident by the operation of the raw material
tanks.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate plan lockout
procedure such as that stipulated by ANSI Z244.1-1982, Section 4 and 5,
American National Standard of Minimum Safety Requirements for Lockout/
Tagout of Energy Sources for Personal Protection.
Specific elements of the abatement program shall be expected to include,
but not be limited to:
1) Establish a comprehansive written procedure for lock-out which
includes procedures designed to instruct and train employees in
recognition of hazards and proper lock-out procedures.
2) Require lock-out before any maintenance, inspection, clearing,
adjusting or servicing that requires employees to enter or be in
close contact with machinery or equipment.
3) Maintain available operation and maintenance manuals on all machinery
or equipment. Assure that these manuals and other appropriate
information are provided to employees before work is begun.
4) Establish and use a documented work order system which includes
Supervisors' approval to reactivate machinery or equipment.
5) Disconnect or isolate machinery or equipment by positioning the
switch, valve or other energy isolating device so that all energy
sources (e.g. electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.) are
deactivated. Stored energy such as that in capacitors, springs,
elevated machine members, rotating flywheels, hydraulic systems and
gas, air, steam or water pressure, etc. must be dissipated or
restrained by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking
bleeding down, etc.,
6) Require that each exposed employee lock-out the energy isolating
device with his/her personal lock.
7) Test machinery or equipment to ensure that the energy sources have
been effectively disconnected or isolated. As a precautionary
measure, return the operating controls to the "OFF" position after
the test has been completed. NOTE: The test shall only be performed
after ensuring that no employees are exposed in the machine or
equipment area.
8) Remove locks only after ensuring the safety of all exposed employees.
9) Train employees responsible for machinery or equipment lock-out in
all elements of the program. This training shall be repeated as
frequently as necessary to maintain management and work proficiency
and compliance with the procedure.
10) Evaluate the program periodically to ensure continued use and
adequacy.
11) Enforce all provisions of the program.