OSHA Inspection: TPC INDUSTRIAL SERVICES

Issued

Oct 14, 1994

Abate by

Oct 21, 1994

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $613 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:
.....the hazards of asphyxiation, illnesses, and/or explosion.  The
employer did not
provide employee(s) involved in confined space entry of water storage
tanks an adequate
confined space entry procedure to protect employee(s) from physical
hazard(s), possible
overexposure to toxic substances, and/or oxygen deficient atmospheres
while performing blasting
and painting services.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct
the
hazards should follow the procedures set forth in the American National
Standards
Institute ANSI Z117.1-1977, 'Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and
Other Confined Spaces', and should include the following:
1.  Implementation of an adequate confined space entry program.  The
program
should include the following areas:
a.  Establishment of a permit system.  Entry into a confined space shall
be by
permit ONLY.  The supervisor or a qualified person shall be responsible for
securing the permit and both shall sign off when the area has been
reviewed and
necessary actions confirmed.  The permit shall include:  location and
description
of the work to be done, hazards that may be encountered, complete
isolation of
the confined space (blanking and/or disconnecting, electrical and
mechanical
lockout), protective equipment and clothing required, atmospheric test
readings,
standby person, emergency procedures and the location of first aid
equipment.
The permit shall be dated and carry an expiration time that will be valid
for
ONLY ONE SHIFT.
b.  Establishment of a training program which includes the following
areas:
emergency entry and exit procedures, use of applicable respirators, first
aid,
lockout procedures, safety equipment use, rescue and training drills,
permit
system, and work practices.  Training shall not be considered  complete
until the
employee is judged to have attained an acceptable degree of proficiency for
entering and working in confined spaces.
c.  Mechanical ventilation of the confined space shall be provided prior
to entry
and continued to provide a safe atmosphere.
d.  Entry into a confined space shall be prohibited until initial testing
of the
atmosphere has been done from the outside.  The tests performed shall
include
those for oxygen content, flammability, and toxic materials.  Measurements
shall
be made with instruments calibrated daily according to manufacturer's
instructions.  Instrument operators shall be trained in the use and care
of the
instruments.
e.  All entrances to any confined space shall be posted.
f.  Lockout and tagout procedures shall be used for any electrical or
mechanical
equipment to which an employee in a confined space could be exposed.
g.  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, and eye
protection shall be chosen when determined to be necessary by a qualified
person.
h.  An individual shall be required to stand by for rescue outside the
confined
space to be in immediate contact with the employee(s) in the confined
space.
i.  Emergency rescue procedures shall be established with a requirement
that a
standby person is stationed outside of a confined space with proper
equipment to
provide for the rescue of the person(s) in the confined 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 SCBA respiratory protection and
other
appropriate protective equipment.  The standby person shall have some
means of
alerting others to an emergency situation.
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 in all
cases.
c.  The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Oct 14, 1994

Abate by

Oct 21, 1994

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $490 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1994

Abate by

Oct 21, 1994

Issued

Oct 14, 1994

Abate by

Oct 21, 1994

Issued

Oct 14, 1994

Abate by

Oct 21, 1994