OSHA Inspection: UTILICON CORP.

Issued

May 6, 1998

Abate by

May 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 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:
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 and/or chemical poisoning from the hazards of
oxygen deficiency and/or
dangerous accumulations of toxic substances (such as carbon dioxide)
during confined space
entry: (a) On 4/15/98, two employees entered a 13 foot deep water vault
(corner of Newton St
& Brittan Rd, Akron, OH) while attempting to cut 36 inch water pipes with
2 gas powered saws
for a City upgrade of the water system. The company's confined space entry
program
was
deficient in that: 1. A confined space entry permit system was not in
place. 2. Atmospheric
testing for oxygen deficiency, flammable gas, and toxic air contaminants
was conducted at the
beginning of the shift but not conducted while employees worked in the
confined spaces.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable methods to abate these
hazards is to develop
and implement a confined space entry program which meets the criteria of
Safety Requirements
For Confined Spaces, American national Standards Institute (ANSI
Z117.1-1989). The following
sections of ANSI Z117.1-1989 may be referred to for specific methods to
correct the hazards.
3. Identification and Evaluation 3.1 Confined Space Survey 3.2 Hazard
Identification 3.3 Hazard
Evaluation 3.4 Confined Space Classification 3.5 Hazard Re-evaluation 4.
Non-Permit Confined
Space (NPCS) 4.1 Controls 4.2 Training 4.3 Re-evaluation 4.4 Atmospheric
Testing 5. Permit
Required Confined Space (PRCS) 5.1 Entry Permits 5.5 Changing Work
Conditions 6.
Atmospheric Testing 7. Attendant 7.2 Personnel Requirements 7.3&4
Attendant/Occupant
Communication & Duties 8. Isolation and Lockout/Tagout 9. Ventilation 10.
Cleaning /
Decontamination 11. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 11.2&12 Selection
& Safeguards 12.1
Entry and Exit 12.2 Retrieval Equipment 13. Warning Signs and Symbols 14.1
Emergency
Response Plan 14.2 Breathing Equipment 15.2 Training for Atmospheric
Monitoring Personnel
15.3 Training for Attendants 15.5 Verification of Training 16. Medical
Suitability 17.
Contractors 17.1 Hazard Warning

Issued

May 6, 1998

Abate by

May 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

May 6, 1998

Abate by

May 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

May 6, 1998

Abate by

May 11, 1998