OSHA Inspection: WOODRUFF & SONS, INC.

Issued

Dec 5, 1995

Abate by

Dec 13, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $500 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 potential hazard of toxic and/or oxygen
deficient atmosphere:
On or about 10/03/95, Employees were exposed to the potential hazard of
toxic and/or
oxygen deficient atmosphere. Employees were allowed to enter a  confined
space prior to
hazard assessment. The employer failed to test as neccessary to assure
that the reguired
quality and quantity of air was maintained. The potentially hazardous
condition occurred
while removing sand from a section of storm sewer. This sewer had been in
place for about
two months and had become loaded up with sand. The system had about 9
openings and
drained into a retention pond. The section the employees were in was 60
feet long and 29
inches by 45 inches around. This section ran under Parsons Avenue to a
retention pond
draining Jersey Avenue.
A feasible and useful method of abating this hazard is the implementation
of a
confined space entry procedure that would include a hazard assessment to
determine whether
the confined space is safe for entry.
.