OSHA Inspection: O & M CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Issued

Oct 3, 2002

Abate by

Oct 30, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $500 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 were likely to cause death or serious physical harm
to employees in that
employees were exposed to:
(a) On June 28, 2002, employees were exposed to the hazards of
asphyxiation, fire and
explosion when they entered an excavation where attempts were made to
initially remove,
and later to re-secure, a blank (aka "skillet") in a pipeline
transportation system containing
butane.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods for abating this
condition would
include, but necessarily be limited to, the implementation of a confined
space entry program,
such as the one described in ANSI Z117.1-1995, which calls for: (A) An
assessment, by a
competent person, to identify existing and potential confined space
hazards
including
asphyxiating, flammable, toxic and explosive atmospheres; (B) Developing
and implementing
strategies for controlling the potential hazards inside confined spaces
before employees enter
them; (C) Performing atmospheric testing immediately before employees
enter the confined
space and recording the results on a written confined space entry permit;
(D) Installation of
ventilation for the confined space and continued atmospheric testing
during entry; (E) Assign
standby attendants to monitor conditions inside the confined space and
initiate evacuation and
emergency procedures if the need arises; (F) Ensure that rescue services
are available and
that the means for summoning them are operable; (G) Ensure that the entry
is terminated and
that all personnel are removed if a dangerous condition arises; (H) Ensure
that methods and
means are selected and used to prevent flammable, toxic, oxygen displacing
or irritating
gases and vapors from entering the confined space; (I) Appropriate
retrieval equipment or
methods to be used whenever a person enters a PRCS (Permit required
Confined Space); (J)
A plan of action with provisions to conduct a timely rescue for
individuals in a confined
space should an emergency arise; and (K) An SCBA to be worn whenever a
confined space
is entered to rescue a victim.

Issued

Oct 3, 2002

Abate by

Oct 30, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced