OSHA Inspection: SCHENECTADY CHEMICAL INC.

Issued

Jan 17, 1989

Abate by

Feb 6, 1989

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Jan 17, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1989

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $800

Issued

Jan 17, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1989

Issued

Jan 17, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1989

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Jan 17, 1989

Abate by

Jan 20, 1989

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $800

Issued

Jan 17, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1989

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Jan 17, 1989

Abate by

Jan 20, 1989

Penalty

Initial $9,000 · Current $1,000 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:
a) 8/29/88 & 8/30/88 - Asphyxiation and/or the physiological effectof
inhalation of a hazardous substance and to the ignition of flammable
and combustible gases and vapors during entry or work in a confined
space situation.  Employees performed resin removal activities in
kettle #2, second floor of department #3100.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to implement a confined space entry procedure
which includes, but is not limited to, the following items:
1) Instruction as to the nature of the hazards involved and necessary
precautions to be taken relative to confined space entry.
2) Posting of written confined space entry procedures adjacent to pits,
tanks, vessels or other confined space areas which may be entered.
3) Use of cleaning, purging and ventilating procedures to remove sludge
and oher residue prior to confined space entry.
4) Implementation of established lockout/tagout and isolation
procedures, where applicable, and issuance of a proper entry permit
prior to confined space entry.
5) Use of atmospheric testing procedures to determine the presence of
hazardous air contaminants and oxygen deficiency prior to entry into
the confined space.
6) Where it has been determined that the confined space contains a
hazardous concentration of an air contaminant and/or an oxygen
deficiency, use of adequate mechanically induced ventalation in the
confined space before entry and during occupancy and/or use of
respiratory protective equipment which provides adequate protection
against the hazard(s) encountered.  Atmospheric monitoring must be
performed to ensure adequate ventilation is being provided.
7) Use of appropriate protective clothing, where applicable.
8) Provisions for a standy observer located outside the confined space
and a means of obtaining immedicate help in an emergency.
9) Provisions and Procedures for readily available emergency standby
equipment consisting of a safety line and harness arrangement and a
self-contained breathing apparatus certified by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
10) Implementation of periodic traiig sessions relative to confined
space entry, rescue and first-aid procedures.
11) Establish procedure assuring employees have safely exited confined
space at the end of the work period.