OSHA Inspection: INTERDYNE CORP.

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $350

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
in that employees were exposed to:
On or about 8/22/90, employees were exposed to burns, asphyxiation
and death from the hazards involved with flammable, toxic, or
oxygen-deficient atmospheres while entering tanks or other confined
spaces. Employees enter tanks for the purpose of cleaning, repairing,
or refinishing 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 management 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 procedure 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 hae 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. All doors, manways or covers
which would enhance ventilation shall be open.
d) Testing of the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on
a regular basis for the presense 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, blanking 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 necesary as described in (B) above.
Such equipment must include safety harnesses 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

Oct 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $350

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Nov 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400