OSHA Inspection: GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY - TRUCK & BUS GROUP

Issued

Mar 7, 1990

Abate by

Mar 17, 1990

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $700

Issued

Mar 7, 1990

Abate by

Apr 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $800

Issued

Mar 7, 1990

Abate by

Mar 17, 1990

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $10,000

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
for serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
(a) On or about 12/2/89, employee(s) entering the chassis final line
conveyor pit also known as the flat top conveyor pit were exposed to the
hazard of being overcome by oxygen deficiency. One feasible and accept-
able method to correct this hazard is the implementation of an effective
confine space entry procedure which: 1) requires that trained personnel
are available and are stationed outside of a confined space with proper
equipment to provide for the rescue of the persons entering the space,
with such equipment including safety harness(es) and lifelines with
provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space and when entry
is required for rescue, the rescue employee(s) must be equipped with
approved air supplied respiratory equipment; 2) require that the standby
person have two-way communication capability when not in constant visual
contact with the confined space entrant(s). The minimum requirements for
confined space entry procedure include the following:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
1) Require employees to obtain written authorization, signed by at
least one supervisor prior to confined space entry. (confined
space entry permit). The permit must indicate special precautions
and time period for which it is valid.
2) Lockout, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical, electrical,
liquid and gas systems relating to the confined space that may
create a hazard during entry should these systems be put in motion
or otherwise activated.
3) Testing of the atmosphere prior to entry into the confined space an
on a regular basis during occupancy for presence of sufficient oxy-
gen (19.5%) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gas
es (maximum 10% LEL) or dusts. When toxic substances are present for
which no equipment to test the atmosphere is available, the employee
shall be permitted to enter the confine space only with the use of air
supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protec-
tive equipment.
4) Establish a tag-out system to mark the confined space unsafe for
entry should tests indicate the space is unsafe for entry. marking is to
remain in place until tests indicate entry is safe.
5) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation during entry to assure a safe atmosphere.
6) Written emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that
trained personnel are available and and are stationed outside of
the confined space with proper equipment to provided for the re-
scue of persons entering the space. Such equipment must include
safety harness and lifelines with provisions for hoisting employee
from the confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the re-
scue employee must be equipped with approved air supplied respira-
tory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment
7) The confined space entry procedures shall be written and the
responsible employees shall be trained in all aspects of the
procedures.

Issued

Mar 7, 1990

Abate by

Mar 17, 1990

Penalty

Initial $7,000

Issued

Mar 7, 1990

Abate by

Mar 17, 1990

Penalty

Initial $7,000