OSHA Inspection: UE & C CATALYTIC

Issued

Feb 15, 1991

Abate by

Apr 15, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

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 working in
confined spaces were subjected to hazards such as lack of oxygen, fire
explosions:
a) Sulfur Recovery Unit - A welder was working inside the 20-H-1B boiler
and there were no provisions for rescue in case of an emergency from
the confined space; 11/20/90.
FEASIBLE MEANS OF ABATEMENT METHOD(S) AMONG OTHERS INCLUDE:
1) A program which includes, but is not limited to:
a) Rescue procedures designed for each entry.
b) There shall be trained standby person assigned to that confined
space with a fully charged, positive pressure, self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) at hand.
c) Unobstructed communications to all workers within the confined
space shall be maintained.
d) Safety harnesses replete with unobstructed lifelines shall be
maintained.
e) Atmospheric monitoring prior to the commencement of work and
during work shall be done by a qualified person.
f) Replacement physicals shall be performed on workers who are to
work in confined spaces to ensure that they are capable of doing
the work assigned without injury.
g) Periodic medical examinations shall be made available to employees
required to work in Class A or Class B confined spaces. (Class A =
Immediately dangerous to life or health and Class B = A confined
space that has the potential for causing injury and illnesses.)