OSHA Inspection: F & M PIPELINE

Issued

Jan 8, 1992

Abate by

Feb 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 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 hazards associated with working into confined spaces:
%%
(a) At the worksite: employees were entering manholes for the
purpose of sealing joints with morter mix.  The employer did not
carry out or enforce a confined space entry procedure and program
requiring the training of all employees in confined space entry
procedure testing and monitoring of the atmosphere for the presence of
sufficient oxygen and the absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases or vapors, and had not established a rescue
procedure.
%%
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate confined
space entry program such as that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1, Safety
Requirements for working in tanks and other confined spaces or NIOSH
Publication No. 30-106, Working in Confined Spaces. Such a program
shall include, as a minimum, the following elements:
%%
1.  Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilaions,
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 existing 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 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

Jan 8, 1992

Abate by

Feb 10, 1992

Issued

Jan 8, 1992

Abate by

Jan 18, 1992

Penalty

Initial $300

Issued

Jan 8, 1992

Abate by

Feb 18, 1992

Issued

Jan 8, 1992

Abate by

Feb 18, 1992

Issued

Jan 8, 1992

Abate by

Feb 18, 1992