OSHA Inspection: LAKE COUNTY GRADING COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Aug 31, 1992

Abate by

Sep 4, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,000 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:
Manhole number forty two, station eighteen plus sixty eight.
Hazard to which employee was exposed:
(a)  On August 6, 1992 an employee entered a confined space,
a sanitary sewer, to take measurements of an existing horizontal
sewer pipe.  A confined space entry procedure had not been
developed for worker use.  Employees were exposed to hazard of
asphyxiation.  Among others a feasible method to correct this
hazard is:
A confined space entry procedure shall be developed, implemented
and enforced which is specific for the worker exposures to
confined space hazards specific for the connecting and patching
operations being performed.  Procedures shall follow ANSI.
Z117.1-1989 and shall include at least the following:
(1)  Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, employee training
designation of a qualified person for standby and emergency
procedures.
(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 hazards have been evaluated by a qualified
person and the 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 of the space during operations to
provide a safe atmosphere.
(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.
(5)  Emergency procedures with requirements that trained per-
sonnel are available and are stationed outside the confined
space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons
entering the space.  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/self-
contained breathing apparatus or other appropriate respiratory
protection and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
(6)  Training shall be provided to all employees required to
enter the confined space or assist in rescue/emergency ac-
tivities.  The training shall include the procedures required
prior to entry and the hazards associated with work in the
confined space, use of protective, testing and rescue equipment.

Issued

Aug 31, 1992

Abate by

Sep 4, 1992