OSHA Inspection: ABB POWER ENERGY SERVICES INC.

Issued

Nov 12, 1992

Abate by

Nov 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,875

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 asphyxiation hazards:
a)  #6 Gasifier - A maintenance person assigned to
perform air arc cutting in the gasifier was exposed
to a hazard of asphyxiation in that a permit system
and a confined space entry program were not
implemented, October 13, 1992.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A  CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM CONSISTING OF AT
LEAST THE FOLLOWING:
1.  Implementation  of confined space entry permit
procedures which lists the precautions to be taken.
The following "checklist" or precautions should be
included on the entry permit:  hazard(s) identified;
testing  and emergency procedures established;
electrical equipment de-energized and locked-out;
contaminants  diluted by purging or ventilation;
lifelines and safety belts utilized, and rescue
equipment in place and tested.
2.  Conduct  atmosphere monitoring and testing prior
to entry and during the time period that work is being
performed in the vessel.  Testing shall be for oxygen
content and toxic substance concentrations.
3.  Attach  a safety belt and lifeline to the employee
entering the confined space.
4.  Provide a trained standby employee outside of
the vessel to maintain communication with the confined
space workers, unobstructed lifelines, and procedures
for obtaining immediate help in the event of an
emergency.  Rescuers should be instructed and drilled
in rescue procedures.  Rescuers should be informed
not to enter the confined area unless others are
standing by in the event that additional help is
required.  The rescuer should be equipped with proper
personal protective equipment including a lifeline
and safety belt.
5.  Instruct employees as to the nature of the hazards
involved and the necessary  precautions to be taken
in regard to entry into the gasifiers.  Employees should
be trained with emphasis on the hazards associated
with their work, the proper entry procedures to be
followed and the required personal protective
equipment needed when entry is made.  Rescuers should
be trained in artificial respiration techniques and
basic first-aid procedures.
6.  Provide sufficient exhaust ventilation to keep
the concentration of toxic substances inthe gasifiers
to within permissible exposure limits and ensure that
ventilation exhaust ducts discharge clear of working
areas.
7.  Provide readily available emergency standby
equipment consisting of a safety line and/or harness
of sufficient length and where the internal atmosphere
is oxygen deficient or contains toxic gases, a
self-contained breathing apparatus or a supplied-air
respirator should be utilized by the employee entering
the confined space and one available for rescue.
8.  All entrances to confined spaces should be posted:
"Danger, confined space, entry by permit only".