OSHA Inspection: HONC CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Issued

Dec 10, 2003

Abate by

Jan 12, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $938 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 associated with
entering a confined space
such as, but not limited to, being overcome by toxic gases:
a)  On or about August 1, 2003, at 1430 Rose Garden Road, an employee
entered a confined
space (a manhole)  without first testing for hazardous atmospheres and was
potentially exposed
to the hazard of occupying an oxygen deficient or toxic atmosphere.  The
employer failed to
develop and implement confined space entry procedures for employees who
were entering a
newly constructed manhole to remove a plug to allow water in for a test of
the lift station
pumps. Mechanical ventilation was not used to remove atmospheric
contaminants and there was
no plan of action with provisions to conduct a timely rescue for
individuals in a confined space.
Among other methods, one recognized and feasible means of abatement to
correct this hazard
would be to implement the elements required by the American National
Standard Institute
(ANSI), Standard Z117.1-1989 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces.
Such a program 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, employee
training, 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 all mechanical, electrical,
hydraulic, pneumatic, liquid
and gas systems relating to the confined space should any of these systems
be put in motion or
otherwise activated, when determined necessary as described in (2) above.
4.  Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
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 sufficient oxygen and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or
combustible gases or
vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above.
6.  Emergency rescue procedures with requirement that trained personnel
are available and are
stationed outside the confined space with proper equipment to provide for
the rescue of persons
entering the space as determined necessary as described in (2) above.
Such equipment must
include safety harness 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 approved
air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal
protective
equipment.
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 confined spaces.