OSHA Inspection: SEMASS CORPORATION

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Sep 3, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $640

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, the inhalation of toxic
substances, asphyxiation and/or fire during entry and working in a
confined space situation.
(a) On or about 4/2/90, power attendants were erecting scaffolding
and/or cleaning boiler tubes inside boilers 1 and 2. Several
employees were overcome by a toxic substance.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the
hazard is to develop and implement a comprehensive confined space entry
program which conforms to requirements stipulated in NIOSH criteria for
a "Recommended Standard...Working in ConfinedSpaces", 1979. The program
should include, but is not limited to, the following areas:
1) Implementation of entry and rescue procedures for each type of
confined space that may be encountered.
2) Implementation of a permit system with the posting of confined space
entry permits.
3) Instruction and training as to the nature of the hazards involved and
necessary precautions to be taken relative to confined space entry.
4) Implementation of established lockout/tagout and isolation procedures
prior to confined space entry.
5) Use of atmospheric testing procedures to determine the presence of
hazardous contaminants, potential oxygen deficiency and flammable/
/explosive atmospheres prior to entry into confined space and as
needed prior to re-entry and during work inside confined space.
6) Where it has been determined that confined space contains a hazardous
concentration of an air contaminant and/or oxygen deficiency, use of
mechanically induced ventilation in the confined space before entry
and during occupancy and/or the use of respirator protective
equipment which provides adequate protection against the encountered
hazards.
7) Provisions and procedures for trained standby observer located
outside the confined space and readily available emergency standby
equipment consisting of safety lines/harness arrangementand self-
contained breathing apparatus certified by NIOSH.
8) Implementation of periodic training drills relative to confined space
entry, rescue and first-aid procedures.

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Aug 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $640

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Aug 6, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $640

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Sep 3, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $640

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Aug 6, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $640

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Aug 6, 1990

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Jul 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 27, 1990

Abate by

Aug 6, 1990