OSHA Inspection: KENT CHEESE CO., INC

Issued

May 5, 1986

Abate by

Jun 5, 1986

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

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:
Confined space hazards such as oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide
poisoning and other confined space hazards when they are required to
enter dairy equipment such as:
(a) Damrow 6000 gallon Grade A Milk Tank.
(b) Damrow 4000 gallon unseparated Whey tank.
(c) Damrow 4000 gallon Whey disposal tank No. 1.
(d) Damrow 4000 gallon Whey disposal tank No. 2.
(e) No. 3 100,000 pound milk silo.
(f) No. 4 170,000 pound milk silo.
(g) No. 5 85,000 pound milk silo.
The hazard can be abated through the establishment of a confined space
entry program comprising at least the following:
Entry into a confined space shall be by permit only.  The permit is an
authorization an approval in writing that specifies the location and
type of work to be done, and certifies that all existing hazards have
been evaluated by a qualified person, and necessary protective measures
have been taken to insure the safety of each worker.
The supervisor or a qualified person shall be responsible for securing
the permit and both shall sign off when the following areas and actions
have been reviewed and confirmed.
a) Location and description of the work to be done.
b) Hazards that may be encountered.
c) Complete islolation checklist.
1) Blanking and/or disconnecting
2) Electrical lockout.
3) Mechanical lockout.
d) Special clothing and equipment.
1) Personal protective equipment and clothing.
2) Safety harness and/or lines.
3) Tools approved for use in accordance with the hazardous Location
Classification.
4) Approved electrical equipment.
e) Atmospheric test readings.
1) Oxygen level.
2) Flammability and/or explosive levels.
3) Toxic substance levels.
f) Atmospheric monitoring while work is being performed.
g) Personnel training and complete understanding of hazards.
h) Standby person(s) as named on the permit.
i)  Emergency procedures and location of first aid equipment.
This permit shall be dated and carry an expiration time be valid for one
shift only.  The permit shall be updated for each shift with the same
requirements.
The program developed should be periodically evaluated and strictly
enforced.

Issued

May 5, 1986

Abate by

May 12, 1986