OSHA Inspection: CRETEX PRESSURE PIPE, INC.

Issued

Apr 12, 1991

Abate by

May 3, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

General-duty citation text

SECTION 5(A)(1) OF TEH 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 OF AN OXYGEN DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERE AND/OR TOXIC WELDING FUMES
DURING THE PROCESS OF RELINING THE INTERIOR WALLS OF THE MATERIAL
STORAGE BINS OR PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE INSIDE THE BINS:
A) BATCH PLANT - MATERIAL BINS
B) COATING PLANT - NUMBER 2 MATERIAL BINS.
A FEASIBLE METHOD OF ABATEMENT INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:
1) WRITTEN PORCEDURES COVERING A PERMIT SYSTEM, VENTILATION,
ATMOSPHERIC TESTING, RESCUE PROCEDURES, AND EMPLOYEE TRAINING.
2) THE COMPLETION AND POSTING OF A CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT WHICH
REQUIRES AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL IN WRITTING THAT SPECIFIES THE
LOCATION AND TYPE OF WORK TO BE DONE AND CERITFIES THAT ALL EXISTING
AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS HAVE BEEN EVALUATED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON AND
NECESSARY PROTECTION 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 (2) ABOVE.
4) TESTING THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE CONFINED SPACE PRIOR TO ENTRY AND ON
A REGULAR BASIS FOR PRESENCE OF SUFFICIENT OXYGEN (19.5%) AND
ABSENCE OF HAZARDOUS LEVELS OF TOXIC OR COMBUSTIBLE GASES OR VAPORS,
WHEN DETERMINED NECESSARY AS DESCRIBED IN (2) ABOVE.
5. EMERGENCY RESCUE PROCEDURES WITH A REQUIREMENT THAT TRAINED
PERSONNEL 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 (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 A RESCUE, THE RESCUING EMPLOYEE MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH
REQUIRED FOR A RESCUE, THE RESCUING EMPLOYEE MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH
APPROVED AIR SUPPLIED RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT AND OTHER APPROPRIATE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
6. TRAINING OF ANY AND ALL EMPLOYEES REQUIRED TO ENTER THE CONFINED
SPACES. THIS TRAINING SHALL INCLUDE PROCEDURES REQUIRED PRIOR
TO ENTRY AND THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH WORK IN CONFINED SPACES.