OSHA Inspection: AZALEA UTILITIES

Issued

Jan 12, 2005

Abate by

Feb 16, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,125 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 hazard of oxygen deficiency and/or dangerous
concentrations of toxic
substances during confined space entry into a manhole.
On or about August 9, 2004 at Manhole #318C (in front of McCallister
Towing- 1120 N.
Point;(Navy Base) N. Charleston, SC 29405), employees entered, operated a
gasoline powered
saw, and worked inside a 6-7 foot deep manhole.  The employer did not
implement a confined
space program per the American National Standard Institute concensus
standard - ANSI Z117.1-
1995.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazardous work
practice is to establish and implement a confined space program that shall
include,
as a
minimum, the following elements: 1- develop and utilize effective
procedures for confined space
entry, including, but not limited to, using a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing,
rescue procedures, employees training, and designation of qualified people
for standby and
emergency procedures; 2- The completion and posting of a confined space
entry permit which
requires authorization and approval, in writing, that specifies that all
existing hazards have been
evaluated by a qualified person and the necessary protective measures have
been taken to ensure
the safety of each worker; 3- Blinding, blocking, bleeding, purging,
lockout or any other steps
necessary to reduce to and ensure zero mechanical and thermal state of all
mechanical, electric,
electrihydraulic, pneumatic, liquid and gas systems relating to the
confined space should any of
these systems be energized, put in motion or otherwise activated; 4-
Provide for mechanical
ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and for continued
ventilation to provide a safe
atmosphere, when determined necessary as described in #2 above; 5- testing
the atmosphere of
the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis for the presence
of sufficent oxygen and
the absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors,
when determined
necessary as described in #2 above; 6- emergency rescue procedures with
the requirment that
trained personnel are available and are stationed outside the confined
space with proper
equipment to provide for the rescue of personnel entering the confined
space as determined
necessary in # 2 above.  Such equipment must include safety harness(es)
and life lines with
provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space.  If entry is
required for a rescue, the
rescuing employee must be equipped with air supplied respiratory equipment
and other
appropriate personal protective equipment; and 7- training of any and all
employees required to
enter the confined space and all employees required to standby for rescue.
This training shall
include procedures required prior to entry, during occupation of the
confined
space, procedures
for safe rescue of employees in the confined space and the hazards
associated with work in a
confined space.ed