OSHA Inspection: CLEWISTON FERTILIZER COMPANY INC.

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $810

Hazardous substances 20852310

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:
(a) A hazard exists of dangerous accumulation of toxic gases
and the potential of oxygen deficiency while removing and
cleaning residues of liquid fertilizer inside trailer tanks.
The tank is 6 feet deep and 14 feet long with a 16-1/2 inches
opening entry. Tanks are located at the rear of the fertilizer
plant, southwest section. The violation was observed on or
about October 20, 1989.
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. Posting of written confined space entry procedures
adjacent to trailer tanks.
2. Use of cleaning, purging and ventilating procedures
to remove sludge and other residue prior to entry. Use
of mechanically induced ventilation before entry and during
occupancy.
3. Testing the atmosphere prior to entry for the presence
of hazardous air contaminants and potential oxygen de-
ficiency.
4. Use of respiratory protective equipment which provide
adequate protection against the hazards and emergency
rescue procedures with a requirement that trained employees
shall be available and stationed outside the tanks with
safety harnesses and lifelines.
5. Training to all employees required to enter the tanks.

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $180 · Current $180

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 inadvertent activation of a mixer machine while performing
maintenance or repairs:
(a) On or about December 8, 1989, in the Mixer Batch Area, no
lockout/tagout procedures were provided to employees involved in
maintenance of the mixer machine.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this hazard is to implement and enforce
lockout/tagout procedures and to ensure that all employees are
trained with the procedures and supplied with necessary locks
and tags before being permitted to perform maintenance, repair
or adjustment of machines and equipment capable of causing
injury by unintended movement or energization.
The lock-out procedures must require that all energy sources
which could activate the machines be locked out.

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Dec 23, 1989

Penalty

Initial $150 · Current $150

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $210 · Current $210

Hazardous substances 20852310

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1990

Hazardous substances 2085

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1990

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Dec 23, 1989

Issued

Dec 20, 1989

Abate by

Jan 25, 1990