OSHA Inspection: TRACE CHEMICALS, INC.

Issued

Mar 1, 1991

Abate by

Apr 8, 1991

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400

Issued

Mar 1, 1991

Abate by

Apr 8, 1991

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Feb 15, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $576 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:
In October 1990 and earlier dates, employees entered the blender
to the mixing room of the west building, which was a confined space,
for the purpose of cleaning, and a confined space entry procedure as
reclined 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 stipulated
OSHA's proposed standard 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit Required Confined
spaces. A minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure consists
the following elements:
a. Written procedures including a permit system, ventilation,
phospheric 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 deter-
mined necessary as described in (b) above.
d. Test the atmosphere in the confined space prior to entry and
on a regualr basis during occupancy for the presence of sufficient
oxygen (minimum 19.5%). Measurements shall be made with instruments
calibrated daily according to manfacturers' instructions. Instrument
operators shall be trained in the use and care of instruments.
e. Respirators shall be chosen and provided on the basis of
testing and monitoring. In the absence of monitoring results showing
the levels of pesticide components such as Lindane are below IDLH
(Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) levels, SCBA's (Self
Contained Breathing Apparatus) or airline respirators approved for use
in IDLH atmospheres shall be worn.
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.
h. Feed lines carrying hazardous materials, such as Diazinon,
to the confined space must be capped or blanked off prior to and during
entry. If a gate valve is used to blank the line, it shall be locked
closed by the entrant prior to and during entry.
2. Prohibit employees from entering the blender. Clean the blender
from the outside by jogging the blade around until the entire blade
can be brushed off. If two employees are used, install an electrical
interlock on the blender access cover that would only allow the blade
to be jogged when the cover was closed. Otherwise, the power to the
blade must be locked out when the blade is being cleaned.
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

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 26, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $432 Reduced

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 6, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $384 Reduced

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 26, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $288 Reduced

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 3, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $432 Reduced

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $80

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $80 · Current $72 Reduced

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 26, 1990

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 26, 1990

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990