OSHA Inspection: QUALITY WOOD TREATING CO., INC.

Issued

Jan 20, 1993

Abate by

Feb 8, 1993

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 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:
Employees exposed to toxic or oxygen deficient
atmospheres by entry into confined spaces such
as, but not limited to, storage tanks and
treatment
chambers.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards is to establish and enforce an adequate plant
confined space entry procedures such as that stipulated by ANSI
Z117.1-1989.  American National Standard for Working in Tanks and Other
Confined Spaces.  Essential elements of this confined space entry procedure
would include:
1.  Hazard Identification - Identify and evaluate each hazard of the
permit spaces including determination of severity.
2.  Hazard Control - Establish and implement the means, procedures and
practices by which the permit spaces can be entered safely.
3.  Permit System - Establish a written permit system for the proper
preparation, issuance and implementation of entry permits.
4.  Employee Information - Signs shall be posted near permit spaces to
notify employees that hazards may be present and that only authorized
entrants may enter the permit spaces.
5.  Prevention of unauthorized entry - Prevent unauthorized employee entry
through such measures as training or by posting signs and barriers
as necessary.
6.  Employee Training - Train employees so that attendents authorized
entrants and personnel authorizing or in charge of entry can work
safely in and around the permit space.
7.  Equipment - Provide, maintain and ensure the proper use of the
equipment necessary for safe entry, including testing, monitoring,
communication and personal protective equipment.
8.  Rescue - Ensure that the procedures and equipment necessary to rescue
entrants from permit spaces are implemented and provided.
9.  Protection from External Hazards - Ensure that all pedestrian, vehicle
or other barriers necessary to protect entrants from external hazards
are provided.
10. Duty to Other Employers - Ensure that when an employer such as a
contractor,
plans to send employees into a permit space which is under
the control of another employer (host employer), the host employer
provides the contractor with all available information on permit
space hazards; on efforts to comply with this standard; and on any
other workplace hazards, safety rules and emergency procedures of
which the contractor needs to be aware of.

Issued

Jan 20, 1993

Abate by

Jul 1, 1993

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced