OSHA Inspection: SOUTHERN CORROSION INCORPORATED

Issued

Aug 29, 1996

Abate by

Sep 11, 1996

Penalty

Initial $3,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employmnent 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 toxic and/or flammable gases:
(a)Asphyxiation and/or death from the hazards of oxygen deficiency and/or
dangerous accumulations of toxic or flammable gases while entering an
elevated
water tank in Griffin, GA. in order to sandblast, torch cut metal brackets
and
paint.
These hazards resulted from deficiencies in the implementation of the
company's confined space
entry program which included the following:
(a)Failure to implement the company's permit system.
(b)Failure to test the atmosphere of the tank for oxygen deficiency,
flammables
and/or toxics during operations such as torch cutting metal brackets and
painting.
(c)Possible improper respiratory protection selection during cutting and
painting
operations. (employees wore North half mask respirators in unknown
concentrations)
(d)Lack of or inadequate training provided to employees in the hazards
associated
with entering confined spaces, such as water tanks, along with methods
they can
take to minimize them.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is
to comply with the OSHA standard 1910.146 " Confined Space Entry" which
includes, but is
not necessarily limited to, the following elements:
(a)The completion and posting of a 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
and necessary protective measures have been taken to assure the safety of
each
worker.
(b)Mechanical ventilation of the confined space to provide a safe
atmosphere when
determined necessary as described in (a) above.
(c)Testing of the atmosphere of the confined space on a regular basis for
the
presence of sufficient oxygen and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
flammable gases or vapors when determined necessary as described in (a)
above.
(d)Respiratory protection that is appropriate for the atmosphere to which
they are
exposed when determined necessary as described in (a) above.
(e)Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are
available with the proper equipment to provide rescue as determined
necessary
as described in (a) above.
(f)Training of personnel in confined space entry procedures.

Issued

Aug 29, 1996

Abate by

Oct 17, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,925

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 29, 1996

Abate by

Oct 17, 1996

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 29, 1996

Abate by

Oct 17, 1996

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 29, 1996

Abate by

Oct 17, 1996

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Aug 29, 1996

Abate by

Sep 11, 1996

Hazardous substances 1591