OSHA Inspection: BLISS AND LAUGHLIN STEEL COMPANY

Issued

Aug 23, 1991

Abate by

Oct 23, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,125 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 hazard of excessive airborne concentrations of chemical
vapors and/or asphyxiation when working in confined spaces where
ambient atmospheric concentration/conditions are unknown, such as
the tanks containing 12% sulfuric acid used during the pickling
operation at Bliss and Laughlin Steel Company, Batavia, Illinois.
Employees are required to enter tanks to perform maintenance and
cleaning operations.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate
plant Confined Space Entry Program such as that stipulated by
ANSI Z117.1-1977, Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and
Other Confined Spaces.  Such a program shall includes, as a
minimum, the following elements:
1.  Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilations,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
2.  The completion and posting of a warning sign and 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 existinng and potential hazards have
been evaluated by a qualified person designated by the employer,
and necessary protective 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%
to 25%) 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 rescue, the rescuing employee must be
equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and
other appropriate personal protective equipment.  Note:  Under
no circumstances is the standby person to enter the confined
space until assured that adequate assistance is present.
6.  Training of any and all employees required to enter the
confined spaces.  This training shall include procedures required
prior to entry and hazards associated with work in confined
spaces.

Issued

Aug 23, 1991

Abate by

Sep 23, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,100 Reduced

Issued

Aug 23, 1991

Abate by

Sep 23, 1991

Issued

Aug 23, 1991

Abate by

Oct 23, 1991