OSHA Inspection: SEACOAST OCEAN SERVICES

Issued

Oct 9, 1992

Abate by

Jan 15, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 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:
a) Asphyxiation, chemical poisoning and/or dangerous accumulations
of toxic vapors (such as benzene) while cleaning crude oil storage
tank #27 of the Portland Pipeline (a multi-story 200 foot diameter
tank).
The hazards resulted from deficiencies in the company's tank entry
program which included the following:
a) Failure to adequately test the atmosphere of the tank for
oxygen deficiency, flammables and/or toxics before
employees are permitted to enter tanks.  Sampling was
performed hourly within the manway and at the exhaust fan;
samples taken in this manner would not give a true picture
of the conditions within the (200 foot diameter) work area.
Inadequate sampling data can result in inappropriate
respiratory protection being worn.
b) Lack of training provided to employees in the hazards
associated with entering confined spaces, such as tanks
along with methods they can take to minimize them.
c) Failure to provide lifelines and other rescue gear to
employees working in a confined space.
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 necessarily be limited to, the
following elements:
a) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric 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 performed 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) Disconnecting the power source of any equipment, machine or
process to be set up adjusted, repaired, seviced, cleaned,
installed or where maintenance work is to be performed and
unintended motion or release of energy would cause personal
injury.  Sources of stored energy such as springs, air, hydraulic,
capacitors and steam shall be evaluated in advance to determine
whether to retain or releive the energy prior to starting the
work.
f) 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 employees must be
equipped with a self contained breathing apparatus(SCBA) or
other equivalent respiratory protection plus other appropriate
personal protective equipment.
g) 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 agitators, rotating
knives, etc., before work is allowed to begin.

Issued

Oct 9, 1992

Abate by

Jan 15, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Oct 9, 1992

Abate by

Oct 14, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Oct 9, 1992

Abate by

Nov 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Oct 9, 1992

Abate by

Nov 3, 1992