OSHA Inspection: MIDDLETOWN HEALTH CARE CENTER, INC.

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Feb 17, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · 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 WRE EXPOSED TO:
Establishment:  The employer did not ensure that the testing of confined
space-the sewer manhole-was performed prior to the employees entrance to
that work area.  Hazard include, but are not limited to:
A.  Asphyxia, Oxygen displacement
B.  Toxic substances
C.  Combustible gases
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable items that can be used to
correct this hazard can include, but are not limited to the
accessibility, use of, calibration and maintenance of the following:
A.  Instrumentation to register oxygen deficiency.
B.  Instrumentation to register combustible gases.
C.  Instrumentation to register potentially toxic substances.
c.  Rescue Equipment
1.  Safety body harness
2.  Wristlets
3.  Safety Life Line(s)
4.  Mechanical lifting device (s)
5.  Fire extingushing equipment
6.  Self contained breathing appartus (SCBA's)
7.  Air monitoring equipment

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Feb 17, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · 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:
Establishment:  The employer did not provide or ensure the use of
equipment to protect employees from the hazards associated with confined
spaces:  sewer manhole, hazards include, but are not limited to:
A.  Asphyxia
B.  Combustible gases
C.  Toxic substances
D.  Immobilization
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard is appropiate equipment shall be selected including, but not
limited to:
a.  Precautionary Equipment
1.  Ventilation equipment (explosion proof)
2.  Purging equipment (explosion proof)
3.  Non-sparking tools
4.  Monitoring equipment for atmospheric testing
5.  Motion detectors
6.  Barricade(s) and other warning device(s)
7.  Lighting device(s) (explosion proof)
b.  Respiratory Equipment
1.  Supplied air respirator(s) (self contained breathing appartus
SCBA)
2.  Escape respirator(s)
3.  Air line respirator(s)

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Feb 17, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · 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:
%%
Or in the alternative:
29 CFR 1910.1200(e):  EMPLOYER HAD NOT DEVELOPED OR IMPLEMENTED A
WRITTEN HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM WHICH DESCRIBES HOW THE CRITERIA
IN 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), AND (h) WILL BE MET:
%%
The employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication
program which includes, but is not limited to: confined space entry
procedures to protect employees from the hazards of Asphyxia,
combustible gases and other hazards of confined spaces when they
are required to enter manholes in the performance of their duties.
%%
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct
this hazard is to develop standard procedures for safe entry which
includes, but are not limited to:
A.  Entry into confined space shall be by permit only.
1.  Permit shall carry the date of entry and authorized duration
of the entry.
2.  Permit shall be specific for the location and the type of
work to be accomplished.
3.  Permit shall also include:
a. Measures taken to control potential hazards
b. Personnel protective equipment required.
c. Atmospheric testing equipment with the procedures needed
for operation and interpretation of the data.
d. Acceptable environmental conditions.
e. Personnel training rewuirements
f. Designation of trained and authorized entrants and standby
personnel
g. Communication procedures
h. Emergency procedures: Emergency telephone numbers
Location of first aid kit
B.  Personnel shall be equipped with:
a. Safety harness
b. Safety line or (equivalent retrieval gear to rescue personnel
from the hazardous atmospheres.)
C.  Standby personnel with suitable self contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA).  These personnel shall be located nearest
the fresh air base for emergency rescue.  Communications shall
be maintained between all personnel present.
D.  Entry into the confined space shall be prohibited until initial
monitoring of the atmosphere has been accomplished.  The
monitoring shall include, but are not necessarily limited to:
1. Oxygen content
2. Toxic substance levels
3. Flammable gases, 1% lower explosive level
E.  All entrances to the confined apaces hasll be posted.  signs
shall include:
1. Danger
2. Confined space
3. Entry by permit only
F.  Emergency procedures including:
1. Telephone numbers for:  a. Fire department
b. Police department
c. Emergency medical services
shall be posted conspicuously within the immediate area of
the confined space(s) or at the radio/telephone from which
emergency help would be summoned.
G.  Employees shall review the guidelines for safe entry and
emergency exit procedures before entering confined spaces.
Guidelines shall address the following:
a. Atmospheric testing (within confined space)
b. Purging and ventilation
c. Isolation/lockout/tagout (if applicable)
d. Gas source disconnection (if applicable)
e. Cleaning
f. Equipment and tools required to perform the assignment
H.  Appropriate equipment shall be selected including, but not
limited to:
a. Precautionary equipment
1. Ventilation equipment (explosion proof)
2. Purging equipment (explosion proof)
3. Non-sparking tools
4. Monitoring equipment for atmospheric testing
5. Motion detectors
6. Barricade(s) and other warning devicce(s)
7. Lighting device(s) (explosion proof)
b. Respiratory equipment
1. Supplied air respirator(s) (SCBA's)
2. Escape respirator(s)
3. Air line respirator(s)
c. Rescue equipment
1. Safety body harness
2. Wristlets
3. Safety Life line(s)
4. Mechanical lifting device(s)
5. Fire extinguishing equipment
6. Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's)
7. Air monitoring equipment

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Feb 17, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · 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:
%%
Or in the alternative:
29 CFR 1910.1200(h): EMPLOYEES WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH  INFORMATION AND
TRAINING AS SPECIFIED IN 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) AND(2) ON HAZARDOUS
CHEMICALS IN THEIR WORK AREA AT THE TIME OF THEIR INITIAL ASSIGNMENT
AND WHENEVER AS NEW HAZARD WAS INTRODUCED INTO THEIR WORK AREA:
%%
Establishment: The employer did not instruct employees on hazard
communication including, but not limited to, entering confined spaces
as to the nature of the hazards associated with confined spaces,
nor did the employer instruct in the necessary precautions to be taken,
nor was instructions received in the use of protective and
emergency equipment.

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Feb 13, 1992

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Feb 12, 1992

Abate by

Feb 15, 1992

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $500 Reduced