OSHA Inspection: MCCART PIPELINE, INC.

Issued

Aug 20, 1992

Abate by

Sep 8, 1992

Penalty

Initial $625 · Current $400 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 associated with working into confined spaces.
(a) At the worksite; employee entered and worked into a manhole while
sealing a pipe joint and cleaning out the invert. The employer did not
carry out or enforce a confined space entry procedure and program
requiring the training of all employees in confined space entry pro-
cedures, testing and monitoring of the atmosphere for the presence of
sufficient oxygen and the absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases or vapors, and had not established a rescue pro-
cedure, on or about 7/9/92.
Among other methods; one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate Confined
Space Entry Program such as that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1, safety
requirements for working in tanks and other confined spaces, or NIOSH
Publication No. 80-106, Working In Confined Spaces. Such a program
shall include, as a minimum, the following elements:
1. Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilations,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and employee training.
2.  The completion and posting of a warning sign and it 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 designated by the employer, 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 a safe atmosphere, when determined
necessary as described in item #2 above.
4.  Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on
a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5to 25)
and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or
vapors, when determined necessary as described in item #2 above.
5.  Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained per-
sonnel 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 item #2 above such
equipment must include safety harness and life lines with provisions
for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required
for rescue, the rescueing employee must be equipped with approved air
supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protec-
tive equipment. Note: Under no circumstances is the standby person to
enter the confined space until assured that adequate assistance is
present.
6. Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry
and hazards associated with work in confined spaces.

Issued

Aug 20, 1992

Abate by

Aug 24, 1992