OSHA Inspection: MONTANA POWER COMPANY

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Jun 27, 1992

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Jun 27, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Oct 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Jun 27, 1992

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Oct 16, 1992

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Aug 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $25,000 · Current $15,000 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:
%%
(a) On or about 4/20/92 at Montana Power Company Morel Junction
Site, employees were exposed to an oxygen deficient and
potentially flammable atmosphere when entering the 16 inch
natural gas line valve box containing methane to close three
pressure tap valves during the connection of the Anaconda
tap line to the Cutbank-Morel line.
%%
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is
the implementation of comprehensive confined space entry procedures
such as, but not limited to, the following:
1)  Sufficient hazard identification and evaluation processes.
2)  A confined space entry permit system.
3)  Implementation of feasible isolation methods to prevent entry
of gas in to the confined space.
4)  Training of personnel in confined space entry.
%%
Another method of abatement would be to follow the written
procedures developed by company engineers calling for the purging
of the lines through the Mueller fitting or by following the common
practice of the field crews to purge the lines through vents on the
outside of the valve boxes.
%%

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Jun 27, 1992

Penalty

Initial $25,000 · Current $20,000 Reduced

Issued

Jun 25, 1992

Abate by

Jun 27, 1992

Penalty

Initial $25,000 · Current $15,000 Reduced