OSHA Inspection: QUALICON CORPORATION

Issued

Mar 5, 1997

Abate by

Mar 6, 1997

Penalty

Initial $125,000 · Current $125,000

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 confined space hazards on September 5,
1996 at Pier R-3 at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station:
a.A confined space entry permit was issued for
tank 1830 by a foreman instead of the
designated confined space qualified person.
b.Atmospheric testing or visual site observation
was not conducted for tank 1830 prior to
allowing employees to enter the confined
space.
c.The employer failed to establish proper rescue
procedures prior to allowing them enter a
confined space.
d.The employer failed to adequately train
employees in proper rescue procedures prior to
allowing them to enter a confined space.
e.The employer failed to ensure that a trained
attendant was provided for an employee working
in tank 1830.
f.An employee entered tank 1830 to remove a
bypass hose without having his body harness
attached  to a safety line connected to a
retrieval tripod.
g.An employee did not immediately exit tank 1830
upon the discharge of sewage when the bypass
hose was disconnected which constituted a
change in tank conditions and required a new
confined space entry permit.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE
ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO DEVELOP AND
IMPLEMENT A CONFINED SPACE ENTRY SPACE PROGRAM.