OSHA Inspection: COLE'S NEW ENGLAND TANK CO.

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

May 25, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $690 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:  Asphyxiation,  chemical poisoning and/or  death  from  the
hazards of oxygen deficiency and/or dangerous  accumulations  of  toxic
fumes and gases (such as carbon monoxide,   metal  fume  and  petroleum
products) while fully entering transport delivery tanks of up to 12,000
gallon capacity to grind  and  weld  the  interior  surfaces  of  these
aluminum, stainless, and mild steel tanks.  These hazards resulted from
deficiencies in the company's tank entry  program  which  included  the
following:
a) Lack of supervisory controls over the work being performed
in the tanks.
b) Failure to test the atmosphere of the tank for oxygen
deficiency before employee(s) are permitted to enter tanks.
c) Failure to re-evaluate the atmosphere of the tank for
flammables and/or toxics when changes in conditions in the
tank may introduce new hazards to the space.
d) Lack of specific training provided to employees in the
hazards associated with entering confined spaces such as
tanks, along with methods they can take to minimize them.
ABATEMENT NOTE:    Among other methods one feasible and acceptable
method to correct these hazards is to establish a written confined
space entry program that will establish management controls over the
work being performed and shall contain as a minimum, but not necessari-
ly limited to the following elements:
a) Written procedures concerning a permit system, ventilation,
atmosphere testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
b) 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 by a qualified person and necessary
protective measures have been taken to assure the safety
of each worker.
c) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry
and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere when
determined necessary as described in (b) above.
d) Testing of the atmosphere of the confined space prior to
entry and on a regular basis for the presence of sufficient
oxygen (19.5%) and the absence of hazardous levels of toxic
or combustible gases or vapors when determined necessary as
described in (b) above.
e) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained
personnel are available and are stationed outside the
confined space with proper equipment to provide rescue of
persons entering the space as determined necessary as described
in (b) above.  Such equipment must include safety harnesses
and lifelines with provisions for hoisting employees from the
confined space.  If entry is required for rescue, the
rescuing employee(s) must be equipped with a self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) or other equivalent respiratory
protection plus other appropriate personal protective
equipment.
f) Training of any and all employees required to enter the
confined space.  This training shall include the procedures
required prior to entry and the hazards associated with work
in confined spaces.  This would include the wearing of a
body harness and tended lifeline attached to a hoist or
jib;  work practices to be followed while cleaning and
locking out any moving or energized parts before work is
allowed to begin.

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $225 · Current $90 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

May 25, 1992

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 15, 1992

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $225 · Current $90 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $210 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $210 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 3, 1992

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

May 25, 1992

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $225

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 3, 1992

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 24, 1992

Issued

Mar 31, 1992

Abate by

Apr 24, 1992