OSHA Inspection: WASTE STORAGE TREATMENT AND TRANSPORTATION, INC.

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Mar 18, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

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)  Employees enter confined spaces (solvent blending tank) to perform
internal tank cleaning and are exposed to the potential hazards of oxygen
deficiency, toxic substances and flammable/combustible gases and or
liquids.
Feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard
include but are not limited to:
1)  Train employees in the appropriate procedures and controls for
confined space entry, emphasizing that entry without the appropriate
precautions can be fatal and that their senses are unable too detect
and evaluate the severity of atmospheric hazards.
2)  Conduct appropriate tests of the atmosphere at different levels
or heights throughout the space to ensure that the oxygen content
is at least 19.5% and that flammable/combustible, toxic gases are
at safe levels.
3)  Use mechanical ventilation to thoroughly ventilate the confined
space prior to entry and during the work being performed to ensure
that conditions are safe.  Test the atmosphere in the confined space
while working to ensure that conditions remain safe.
4)  Equip employees who enter confined spaces with safety harnesses
with lifelines attached to retrieval equipment.  Have a standby
employee outside the confined space to observe and be in constant
communication with the employee inside the confined space.
5)  Train employees in the appropriate emergency rescue procedures.

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Mar 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $375