OSHA Inspection: PEDERSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED

Issued

Feb 18, 1999

Abate by

Feb 23, 1999

Penalty

Initial $2,500

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 hazards of confined spaces:
At this location, employees entered active sewer manholes to apply a
concrete
sealer on September 1, 1998 without observing the required precautions to
ensure
that their safety and/or health would not be compromised during the entry.
Employees were exposed to the hazards of a permit required confined space
in
the manholes in that:
a.No evaluation of the confined space was conducted to determine if a
permit
required confined space existed as required by ANSI Z117.1-1989, Section
3.1.
b.Employees entered the active sewer manholes to apply a concrete sealer
and no provisions for entry permits were established as required by ANSI
Z117.1-1989, Section 5.1.
c.Employees entered the active sewer manholes to apply concrete sealer and
no atmospheric testing was conducted to insure a toxic gas (i.e. hydrogen
sulfide), oxygen deficient or flammable condition (i.e. methane gas) did
not exist or arise during the operation as required by ANSI Z117.1-1989,
Section 16.1.
d.Employees entered the active sewer manholes to apply concrete sealer and
no provisions for emergency response were developed, such as, but not
limited to, lifelines, harnesses, hole watch personnel, and designation of
rescue personnel capable of responding in a timely manner as required by
ANSI Z117.1-1989, Section 14.1.
*** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***

Issued

Feb 18, 1999

Abate by

Feb 22, 1999

Penalty

Initial $2,500