OSHA Inspection: ENVIRONMENTAL PURIFICATION INDUSTRY

Issued

Oct 15, 1992

Abate by

Nov 17, 1992

Penalty

Initial $700

Issued

Oct 1, 1992

Abate by

Jan 31, 1993

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $375

Issued

Sep 2, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $450 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 toxic materials and mechanical hazards while
working inside dryers and hoppers:
Employees enter dryers, which contain paint saste and rotating
screws, to dislodge paint skin from the screws.  Also, employees
enter hoppers, that contain residual material, to remove powder
which had been trapped along the walls.  A confined space
procedure was not established for employees who enter and work
inside the dryers and hoppers.
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 appropraite
personal protective equipment.
e) Ensure the lock-out, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical,
electrical, liquid and gas systems relating to the confiend space
that may create a hazard during entry or where maintenance or
repair work is to be peerformed 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-cotnained 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

Sep 2, 1992

Abate by

Oct 5, 1992