OSHA Inspection: T C I CORP. INC.

Issued

Aug 10, 1989

Abate by

Oct 2, 1989

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $656 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2485

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 physiological effects of inhalation of a toxic substance and/or
asphyxiation during entry or work in a confined space situation:
a) At TCI Corporation in Ghent, NY: Two employees were exposed to a
toxic atmosphere while working inside a confined space on February
28, 1989. The two employees were cleaning the inside of a transformer
"can" with trichlorotrifloroethane (Freon 113) when one employee was
overcome by the vapors. The transformer "can" was from Boston Edison.
Its base dimensions were 11'6" (length) x6'4" (width) x 10' (height),
and oval in shape. Its approximate volume is 700 cubic feet. The only
open side of the "can" was the top.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to implement a confined space entry procedure
which includes, but is not limited to the following:
1) Instruction as to the nature of the hazards involved and necessary
precautions to be taken relative to confined space entry.
2) Posting of confined space entry procedures adjacent to pits, tanks,
vessels, or other confined space areas which may be entered.
3) Use of cleaning, purging, and ventilating procedures to remove
sludge and other residues prior to confined space entry.
4) Use of atmospheric testing procedures to determine the presence of
hazardous air contaminants and potential oxygen deficiency prior to
entry into and while working on the confined space.
5) Where it has been determined that the confined space contains a
hazardous concentration of an air contaminant and/or an oxygen
deficiency, use of mechanically-induced ventilation in the confined
space before entry and during occupancy and/or use of respiratory
protective equipment which provides adequate protection against the
hazards encountered shall be employed.
6) Provisions for a standby observer located outside the confined space
with a means of communication with the worker inside the confined
space and a means of obtaining immediate help in an emergency.
7) Provisions and procedures for readily available emergency standby
equipment consisting of a safety line and harness arrangement and a
self-contained breathing apparatus certified by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
8) Implementation of periodic training sessions relative to confined
space entry, rescue and first aid procedures.

Issued

Aug 10, 1989

Abate by

Oct 2, 1989

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $657 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2485

Issued

Aug 10, 1989

Abate by

Sep 15, 1989

Hazardous substances 2485

Issued

Aug 10, 1989

Abate by

Sep 15, 1989

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $290 Reduced

Issued

Aug 10, 1989

Abate by

Sep 15, 1989

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $410 Reduced