OSHA Inspection: STERLING ABRASIVES

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Mar 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,125 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 of oxygen-deficient atmospheres while
conducting maintenance work in speed tester pits:
The company's confined space entry procedure was deficient for
employees entering speed tester pits to change arbors and conduct
other maintenance work.
The procedure deficiencies included the failure to test for
sufficient oxygen (19.5%) prior to employees entering the
confined space, not having emergency rescue procedures, and not
training employees on confined space procedures.
A feasible and acceptable method to correct these deficiencies
to the company's program 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 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 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 absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible
gases or vapors when determined as necessary as described in
(b) above.  When toxic substances are present for which no
equipment to test the atmosphere are available, the employee
shall be permitted to enter the confined space only with the
use of air supplied respirator equipment and other appropriate
personal protective equipment.
e) Ensure the lock-out, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical,
electrical, liquid and gas systems relating to the confined space
that may create a hazard during entry or where maintenance or
repair work is to be performed should these systems be put in
motion or otherwise activated.
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 spaces.
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.
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.

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Feb 25, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,125 Reduced

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Mar 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Jan 29, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Jan 29, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Feb 7, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Jan 29, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Jan 29, 1992

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Jan 24, 1992

Issued

Jan 21, 1992

Abate by

Mar 30, 1992