OSHA Inspection: CENTRAL FLORIDA UNDERGROUND, INC.

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Jan 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: On
July 25 & 26, 1989 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 the hazard of inhalation of toxic substances,
to asphyxiation, and/or to fire or explosion during entry into or
working in a confined space situation at the Heathrow Master Lift
Station in unicorporated Seminole County:
a) On 7/25/89 two (2) employees entered the wet well of the lift station
to paint pipes with a material containing a volatile organic solvent
(xylene).
b) On 7/26/89 an employee entered the wet well of the lift station to
install a flap gate valve on a pipe stub-out.
c) On 7/26/89 two additional employees entered the wet well of the lift
station in an attempt to rescue an ill and/or injured co-worker.
Employees could suffer death, central nervous system damage and/or
liver damage from chemical vapor inhalation, death due to oxygen
deficiency (anoxia), and severe burns should a fire/explosion result
among other hazards within uncontrolled confined spaces. Employees
can also be injured during improper rescue procedures.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to implement a confined space entry procedure
which includes, but is not limited to, the following items:
1) Instruction and training as to the nature of the hazards involved
and necessary precautions to be taken relative to confined space
entry.
2) Posting of written confined space entry procedures adjacent to tanks
or other confined space areas which may be entered.
3) Implementaion of established lockout/tagout and isolation procedures,
where applicable, and issuance of a proper entry permit prior to
tank/confined space entry.
4) Use of atmospheric testing procedures to determine the presence of
hazardous air contaminants, potential oxygen deficiency and flammable
/explosive atmosphere prior to entry to tank/confined space and as
needed prior to re-entry.
5) Where it has been determined that confined space contains a hazardous
concentration of an air contaminant and/or an oxygen deficiency, use
of mechanically induced ventilation in confined space/tank before
entry and during occupancy and/or use of respiratory protective
equipment which provides adequate protection against the hazards
encountered.
6) Provisions and procedures for standby observer located outside the
confined space and readily available emergency standby equipment
consisting of a safety line and harness arrangement and a self-
contained breathing apparatus certified by NIOSH.
7) Implementation of periodic training sessions relative to confined
space entry, rescue and first-aid procedures.

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Jan 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $7,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Feb 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Feb 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Feb 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Feb 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990

Issued

Jan 11, 1990

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990