OSHA Inspection: BAR-BEL FABRICATING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Jun 28, 1990

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $380 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 likey to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to:
Employees entering tanks (under construction or repair) for grinding
and preparation work are exposed to oxygen deficient and/or toxic
atmospheres.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards is to establish and enforce an adequate plant
confined space entry procedure such as that sutipulated by ANSI Z117.1-
1977. American National Standard for working in Tanks and other Confined
Spaces. Essential elements of this confined space entry procedure would
include:
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, isolation, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and employee training.
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 cetifies 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.
3) Isolation of the confined space to preclude the energy of hazardous
materials and/or activation of energy sources (e.g. electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic, etc.). methods which can be used to prevent
the entry of hazardous materials into the confined space include:
removing pipe sections, blanking pipelines or closing and locking two
valves of piping leading to the confined space and locking open a
drain valve leading to the atmosphere between the two closed valves
(double block & bleed).
Methods which can be used to prevent activation of energy sources
affecting the confined space include: locking out electrical line
switches to equipment controlling moving hazards, dissipating stored
energy in capacitors, air, steam, water and other pressure lines and
blocking or repositioning springs, elevated machine members and
rotating flywheels to prevent the release of stored energy.
4) 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.
5) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and or
a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5% or
greater) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic, flammable or
combustible gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described
in (2) above.
6) Emergency response procedures with a requirement that trained
personnel are available and stationed outside the confined space
with proper equipment to provide for rescue of person(s) entering
the space. Such equipment must include safety harness(es) and
lifeline(s) with provisions for hoisting employees from the
confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing
employee(s) must be equipped with approved supplied air respiratory
equipment with escape provisions or self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) plus other appropriate personal protective
equipment.

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Feb 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $220 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

May 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $325 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 28, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $270 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

May 28, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $270 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 1, 1990

Penalty

Initial $210 · Current $180 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 1, 1990

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Jun 1, 1990

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $380 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 1, 1990

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 5, 1990

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 28, 1990

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 1, 1990

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 28, 1990

Issued

Feb 26, 1990

Abate by

Mar 28, 1990