OSHA Inspection: DELLEFEMINE BROS.

Issued

Oct 19, 1990

Abate by

Apr 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $384 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 employees were exposed to
the hazards of toxic, explosive or oxygen-deficient atmospheres by
entering confined spaces without observing adequate safe entry
procedures.
Feasible and useful methods to correct this hazard are outlined in ANSI
Z117.1.1977 Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other Confined
Spaces).
a) Block Island Power Co., Jobsite:  Employees entered unearthed
underground gasoline and diesel fuel storage tanks and the following
deficiencies in confined space work procedures were noted:
1) A qualified person did not test the atmosphere in the gasoline and
diesel tanks where toxic contaminants or oxygen-deficient atmospheres
may have existed, prior to employee entry, to determine the nature
and extent of any such hazard. (ANSI Z117.1-1977 Sec.3.1 General
Precautions before entry).
2) A qualified person did not check periodically to ensure that
contaminated air from the gasoline and diesel tanks was exhausted
to a location where it presented no hazard to employees or equipment.
3) To avoid ignition sources during cleaning of gasoline and diesel
tanks, where flammable contaminants might be released, and authorized
person did not ensure all precautionary measures were taken, (ANSI
Z117.1-1977, Sec.3.4.2 Precautions to cleaning in that:
A) Gasoline powered (i.e., sparking) motor vehicles were allowed
within 50 feet of the removal operation;
B) A metal can was used by employees to scoop excess sludge from
the base of a tank which may create sparks which would serve as
an ignition source.
C) Vapor trail hazards were not considered for the tank purging
operation which was not vented a sufficient distance above ground
level. American Petroleum Institute (API) recommended practice 1604,
(Removal and Disposal of Used Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks),
recommends venting all vapors a minimum of 12 feet above grade and 3
feet above any adjacent roof lines.
4) Where employees entered gasoline and diesel tanks that were subject
to potentially oxygen - deficient atmospheres and testing was not
conductd to determine oxygen levels, procedures outlined below were
not followed:
A) A self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied air mask (in
combination with auxilary SCBA was not worn.
B) Safety harnesses and lifelines were not used.
C) An authorized person, also provided with appropriate personal
protective equipment was not stationed holding lifelines.
(ANSI Z117.1-1977, Sec.4.2.4.1. through Sec.4.2.4.3)
5) Before employees were permitted to enter a tank in which potential
hazard exist, a qualified person did not determine what precautions
must be taken, reduce them to writing and sign and issue a permit.
(ANSI Z117.1.1977, Sec.5.1 Entry Permit).

Issued

Oct 19, 1990

Abate by

Apr 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $168 Reduced

Issued

Oct 19, 1990

Abate by

Apr 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $168 Reduced

Issued

Oct 19, 1990

Abate by

Apr 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Oct 19, 1990

Abate by

Apr 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Oct 19, 1990

Abate by

Apr 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $120 Reduced