OSHA Inspection: TRI-STATE SPRINKLER CORP.

Issued

Jan 20, 2004

Abate by

Mar 11, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $625 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 hazards such as but not limited to asphyxiation, fire, and
explosion, resulting
due to entry into an unknown atmosphere in a confined space.
a.Windsor Meadows complex, Bldg. 5, Brentwood, NH - On 07/21/03 employees
of Tri-State Sprinkler Corp. entered a confined space (the lower level of
the
"doghouse" utility annex) without assessing the space to determine the
potential
hazards. The employees were permitted to reenter the space on following
days
even after noting and reporting some dizziness and an unusual odor, without
determining the source of the problem.  Two employees of Tri-State and one
of
Swain Plumbing & Heating received burns on 07/23/03 due to a propane
explosion in this space. The lower level was accessible only by a ladder
and met
the definition of a confined or enclosed space (1926.21(b)(6)(ii)).
Abatement note:
One feasible method of abatement, among others, is to develop and
implement a confined space
program including the elements outlined in American National Standard
Institute (ANSI),
standard Z117.1 (Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces). Such a program
would include but
not be limited to training in the recognition of and safe entry into
confined spaces; procedures
for atmospheric testing for flammable, toxic, or oxygen deficient
atmospheres prior to and/or
during employee entries; appropriate ventilation methods to controlled
detected atmospheric
hazards; appropriate respiratory protection where the hazards can not be
controlled by
ventilation.

Issued

Jan 20, 2004

Abate by

Mar 11, 2004