OSHA Inspection: MARKER SERVICES CORP

Issued

Aug 22, 1995

Abate by

Aug 25, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

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:
(a)During the spray painting of the tank located North of the building
located at
2320 North Camden Road, Glendale, on July 19, 1995, an employee was
overcome due to exposure to unknown hazardous levels of epoxy enamel paint
vapors and mist, requiring entry of a second unprotected employee into the
tank
for the purpose of attempted rescue.  The second employee was also
adversely
affected by exposure to the paint vapors and mist and, potentially, could
have also
been rendered unconscious due to exposure to the unknown hazardous levels
of
paint vapors and mist.  The following conditions which were not in
accordance
with American National Standard Z117.1-1989, contributed to the existence
of
these hazardous conditions:
(1)Hazard evaluation had not adequately considered the potential for
changing conditions in the tank as a result of the spray painting
operation.
(2)No entry permit had been developed to identify the hazards to be
controlled, required safety equipment and precautions, required
atmospheric tests and results, required rescue equipment and how aid
would be summoned in event of an emergency.
(3)No air monitoring had been performed either prior to or during entry to
ensure that atmospheric conditions were within acceptable levels for
oxygen, combustibles, and toxics.
(4)The attendant was not in constant communication with the entrant.
(5)Ventilation of the tank (which consisted of a compressed air line fed
into
an opening at the base of the tank) was not adequate to assure that the
atmosphere remained within acceptable limits.
(6)The Willson 2000 Series chemical cartridge respirator worn by the
entrant
apparently was not adequate to protect the entrant from the levels of toxic
paint mists and vapors which accumulated in the course of the operation.
(7)Inadequate safeguards had been implemented; no belt or harness was worn
by the entrant and no retrieval line was on-site.
(8)No emergency response plan had been developed to ensure safe and timely
rescue for individuals in a confined space should an emergency arise.
(9)Entrant and attendant employees had not been adequately trained on their
functional duties prior to confined space entry; training was not provided
on the limitations of the personal protective equipment, how to respond
to emergencies , how to recognize probable air contaminant overexposure
symptoms to themselves and co-workers.

Issued

Aug 22, 1995

Abate by

Sep 25, 1995

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750

Issued

Aug 22, 1995

Abate by

Sep 25, 1995

Issued

Aug 22, 1995

Abate by

Sep 25, 1995

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750