OSHA Inspection: K & M CONTRACTING CO.

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Nov 5, 1990

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $540 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:
Employees were exposed to burns, asphyxiation and death from
the hazards involved with flammable, toxic, or oxygen-deficient
atmosphere while entering tanks or other confined spaces.
Employees enter tanks for the purpose of cleaning, repairing,
or finishing without taking the proper precautions and following
recommended procedures.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these
hazards is to establish a written confined space entry program that will
establish managment controls over the work being performed and shall
contain as a minimum but not 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 harness and lifelines with
provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. 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.
This would include the wearing of a body harness and tended lifeline
attached to a hoist or jib; work practices to be followed while
performing normal job duties. This training should be reviewed and
updated on an annual basis.

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Dec 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $480 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Dec 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $480 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $480 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $100 · Current $60 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Dec 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $120 Reduced