OSHA Inspection: NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING MIDWEST, INC.

Issued

Oct 17, 1990

Abate by

Nov 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $800

Issued

Oct 17, 1990

Abate by

Oct 23, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $800

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
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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) The hazards of confined space  of potentially hazardous atmos-
pherers in sanitary sewer manholes without the use of a gas meter and
other appripriate monitoring equipment. Hazardous atmospheres likely to
be present in industrial sanitary sewers include, but are not limited,
to, oxygen deficiency, methane, hydrogen sulfide, flammable an toxic
solvents and other industrial contaminants.
One feasible method of abatement of a confined space hazard includes,
but is not limited to, the establishment of a confined space entry pro-
grams:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
1) Require employees to obtain writtren authorization, signed by at
least one supervisor prior to confined space entry. (confined
space entry permit). The permit must indicate special precaution
and time period for which it is valid.
2) Lockout, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical, electrical,
liquid and gas systems relating to the confined space that may
create a hazard during entry should these systems be put in mo-
tion or otherwise activated.
3) Testing of the atmosphere prior to entry into the confined space
and on a regular basis during occupancy for presence of suffi-
cient oxygen (19.5%) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases (maximum 10% LEL) or dusts. When toxic subs-
tances are present for which no equipment to test the atmosphere
is available, the employee shall be permitted to enter the con-
fined space only with the use of air supplied respiratory equip-
ment and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
4)  Establish a tag-out system to mark the confined space unsafe
for entry should tests indicate the space is unsafe for entry.
Marking is to remain in place until tests indicate entry issafe
5)  Mechanical ventilation of the confined space to entry and
continued ventilation during entry to assure a safe atmosphere.
6)  Written emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that
trained personnel are available and are stationed outside of
the confined space with proper equipment to provide for the
rescue of persons entering the space. Such equipment must in-
clude safety harness and lifelines with provisions for hoisting
employees from the confined space. If entry is required for re-
scue employee must be equipped with approved air supplied respi
ratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective
equipment.
7)  The confined space entry procedures shall be written and the
responsible employees shall be trained in all aspects of the
procedures.

Issued

Oct 17, 1990

Abate by

Oct 25, 1990

Issued

Oct 17, 1990

Abate by

Nov 2, 1990

Issued

Oct 16, 1990

Abate by

Nov 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $100 Reduced