OSHA Inspection: REVERE WARE CORPORATION

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 11, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $352 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:
At Revere Ware Corporation, employees entered confined spaces and
there was no comprehensive confined space entry program.
a) On or about November 6, 1990, the chief chemist entered the
monitoring station & confined space, to obtain a sample and
confined space entry procedures as outline in the abatement
methods were followed. These procedures were necessary to protect
a employee from possible exposure to oxygen deficient atmospheres,
toxic gases and vapors, and combustible gases.
b) On or about December 5 and 6, 1990, the laboratory process
technician entered the sewage monitoring station, a confined space,
to obtain a sample and no confined space entry procedures as outlined
to the abatement methods were followed. These procedures were
necessary to protect the employee from possible exposure to oxygen
proficient atmosphere, toxic gases and vapors, and combustible gases.
c) On or about December 11,1990, the laboratory process technician
entered the sewage monitoring station, a confined space, to clean the
probe and no confined space entry procedures as outlined in the
abatement methods were followed. These procedures were necessary to
protect the employee from possible exposure to oxygen deficient
atmospheres toxic gases and vapors, and combustible gases.
Among othe methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct the hazards could include:
1.  Eliminate confined space entry into the sewage monitoring
station by placing the sampling pump outlet at ground level.
2. Eliminate confined space entry into the sewage monitoring
station by placing the pit probe on a device that would allow
it to be raised out of the manhole from ground level.
3. Institute a formal confined space entry program
program such as stipulated by ANSI Z117.1-1977 American
National Standard of Safety Requirements for Working in
Tanks and other Confined Spaces. A minimally acceptable
confined space entry program consists of the following elements:
a. Assignment of a competent individual to conduct an
entire plant survey to identify all confined spaces within
the plant and any unique hazards.
b. Labeline of confined spaces.
c. Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
lockout/tagout, labelling atmospheric testing, rescue
procedures and employee training.
d. Employees shall be required to obtain and post a written aut-
horization signed by a supervisor prior to confined space entry
(confined space entry permit). The permit shall specify the loc-
ation and type of work to be done and certifies that all exist-
ing and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified
person and necessary protective measures have been taken to en-
sure the safety of each worker.
e. Provide mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to
entry and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere
when determined necessary as described in (a) above.
f. Test the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis
as determined necessary as described in (a) above during occupa-
ncy for the presence of at least 19.5% oxygen and/or presence of
toxic substances such as solvents and hydrogen sulfide. Testing
shall be conducted during the same time for levels of flammable
vapors and gases such as solvents and methane to be maintained
below 10% of the lower explosive limit.
f. Measurements shall be made with instruments calibrated daily
according to manufacturer's instructions. Instrument operators
shall be trained in the use and care of instruments.
g. Lockout and tagout procedures shall be used for any
electrical or mechanical equipment to which an employee in
a confined space could be exposed.
h. Personal protective equipment such as respiratory
protection shall be chosen and provided on the basis of
testing and monitoring. Users of this equipment shall be
trained in its limitations and use. Respiratory protection
shall be used in accordance with section 1910.134 of 29 CFR
1910 General Industry Standards. Additional personal
protective equipment such as gloves, hard hats, disposable
impermeable suits and eye protection shall be chosen when
determined to be necessary by a qualified person.
i. Require a person to stand by for rescue outside the
confined space to be in immediate contact with the employee(s)
of the confined space.
j. Emergency rescue procedures shall be established with
a requirement that the standby person is stationed outside
of the confined space with proper equipment to provide for
the rescue of the person(s) in the continued space. Such
equipment shall include safety harness and lifelines with
provisions for hoisting the employee(s) from the confined
space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescue employee
shall be equipped with approved air supply respiratory
protection and other appropriate protective equipment. The
standby person shall have some means of alerting others to
an emergency situation such as by an air horn, intercom system,
and/or alarm system.
k. Employees who are required to work in a confined space and
the stand-by person shall be trained in all aspects of the
confined space program.
l. Assignment of a competent individual to ensure enforcement
of the confined space entry procedures, adequate training of
the employees involved in confined space entry, and pro-
ficiency in the use of protective equipment.
DISCLAIMERS:
a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods
suggested by OSHA.
b) The methods explained are general and may not be effective
on all cases.
c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out
an appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Apr 12, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $352 Reduced

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Jun 14, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Apr 12, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $352 Reduced

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Apr 12, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

May 31, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

May 31, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

May 3, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

May 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $352 Reduced

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Jun 28, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $352 Reduced

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 11, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 11, 1991

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $264 Reduced

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 11, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 11, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 29, 1991

Issued

Feb 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 11, 1991