OSHA Inspection: HERMANN OAK LEATHER COMPANY

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Penalty

Initial $720 · Current $720

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 potentially
exposed to a variety, of hazards associated with oxygen deficient, toxic
and/or explosive atmospheres during confined space entry of process
equipment and associated structures such as, sumps, sewers, mixers,
mills and waste water tanks while performing maintenance and/or repairs.
During such operations, employees were potentially exposed to the
hazards of:  asphyxiation due to the presence of low concentrations of
oxygen inside the process equipment:  Illness including but not
necessarily limited to nervous system damage, cyanosis, mucosal
membrane irritations and death from hydrogen sulfide or ammonia
exposures;  burns and/or death resulting from fires and/or explosions
due to the potential presence of combustible/explosive mixtures of gases
/vapors and oxygen in the atmosphere.
a) For example, on or about April, 1989 employees entered the sump
without monitoring the air before entry; without rescue equipment
available and without an appropriate escape pack on the air line
supplied air respirators.
b) On or about February, 1989 employees entered the large mixer without
monitoring the air before entry; without a standby person; without
safety belts or harnesses; without rescue equipment available, and
without an appropriate escape pack on the air line supplied air
respirators.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct
this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry program.  A
minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure consists of the
following elements:
1) Written procedures 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 certifies 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) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation to provide safe atmosphere, when determined
necessary as described in (2) above. Isolation/Lockout procedures
with a requirement that the confined space be completely isolated
from all systems by physical disconnection, double block and bleed,
or blanking off all lines when determined necessary in (2) above.
Electrical isolation, by locking circuit breakers and/or disconnects
in the open (OFF) position with a key-type padlock.  Mechanical
isolation, by disconnecting linkages or removing drive belts and
chains, with moving parts being blocked where there can be no
accidental rotation. If complete isolation is not possible, specific
written safety procedures approved and enforced by the employer.
4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis or presence of sufficient oxygen a minimum of 19.5% and
absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors,
when determined necessary as described in (2) above.
5) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are available and are stationed outside the confined space with
proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons entering the
space as determined necessary as described in (2) above.  Such
equipment must include safety harness and lifelines with provisions
for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required,
the rescuing employees must be equipped with approved air supplied
respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective
equipment.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces. This training shall include procedures required for entry,
the hazards associated with work in confined spaces, and rescue
training procedures.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested above
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effected in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Penalty

Initial $630 · Current $630

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Penalty

Initial $720 · Current $720

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Penalty

Initial $720 · Current $720

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Penalty

Initial $630 · Current $630

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Aug 20, 1989

Hazardous substances 8111

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Dec 27, 1989

Issued

Aug 17, 1989

Abate by

Aug 20, 1989