OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN TRUCK AND TRAILER

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $1,250

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 asphixiation due to insufficient
oxygen, explosion from combustible vapors or inhalation of toxic
substances in confined spaces:
a- Employees are required to enter tanks to inspect and reapir
weld.  The tanks are approximately 40 feet and have a diameter
of 17.5 to 20 inches.  The size of the entry holes has a
circumference of 54".
These hazards resulted from a failure to implement the confined
space entry procedures and deficiencies in the program which
included the following:
1- The tanks' atmospheres were not tested for oxygen
deficiency but are tested concentration of combustible vapors
before employees were permitted to enter.
2- A written permit system was not established to certify
that all hazards have been evaluated and communicated
to employees before they enter the tank.
3- Lack of training provided to employees in the hazards
associated with entering confined spaces and hte emthods
they can take to minimize them.
4- Equipment necessary for safe entry, including
retrieval-lines and harnesses, was not provided, maintained
and its use was not ensured.
5- Procedures and equipment necessary to resuce employees
from the tanks were not implemented and provided.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct the hazard is to assure implementation of
the confined space entry program to include, but not be limited
to the following items.
1- Ensure instruction and training of employees entering
tanks and attendants.  Training should include, but not be
limited to:  hazard recognition, communication, protective
equipment and rescue.
2- Posting of written confined space entry procedures
adjacent to tanks.
3- Issuing a proper entry permit prior to tank entry to
ensure that all hazards have been evaulated.
4- Conduct atompsheric testing of tanks to determine
potential oxygen deficiency and the presence of air
contaminants, prior to employee entry and during thte time
employee is working in the tank.
5- Where it has been determined that the confined space
contains a hazardous concentration of an air contaminant
and/or oxygen deficiency, the use of mechanically-induced
ventilation in the confined space/tank before entry and
during occupancy.  The use of respiratory protective
equipment which provides adequate protection against the
hazards encountered.
6- Provisions and procedures for a standby observer
located outside the confined space/tank and readily available
standby equipment consisting of retrieval line and harness,
which the employees is wearing in the confined space.

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 5, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 5, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $1,250

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 5, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 5, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 28, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 28, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 2, 1992

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 28, 1992

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 28, 1992

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Hazardous substances 81118110

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 28, 1992

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 5, 1992

Issued

Oct 28, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992