OSHA Inspection: RITTENBAUGH, INC.

Issued

Nov 3, 2004

Abate by

Feb 28, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 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 the hazard of asphyxiation from oxygen deficient
atmospheres and/or
accumulations of toxic gases/vapors when working in confined spaces
without observing safe
entry procedures:
a) Springton Pointe Woods, 319 Arthur Court, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
- On July
9, 2004 two employees entered into a sewer manhole under construction and
were
rendered unconscious by oxygen deficient and carbon dioxide containing
atmospheres,
and subsequently died. Two other employees entered into the sewer manhole
to perform
rescue operations.  All four employees did not observe any safe entry
procedures and the
employer did not have in place appropriate procedures, permit system,
equipment
and
provisions for confined space entry work, including the unavailability of
air monitoring
instruments, mechanical ventilation, respiratory protection, and rescue
considerations.
b) Valley Forge, Chester County, Pennsylvania - The employer did not
develop or
implement confined space entry procedures and permit entry system or have
available
appropriate air testing, ventilation, respiratory protection, and rescue
equipment for
workers who entered into active sewer manholes to conduct sewer repair
activities as part
of a service contract agreement and were potentially exposed to oxygen
deficient or toxic
atmospheres.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND
ACCEPTABLE METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO ESTABLISH
AND IMPLEMENT A CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE,
INC. STANDARD KNOWN AS ANSI Z117.1 OR OSHA STANDARD 29 CFR
1910.146.
NOTE: ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Nov 3, 2004

Abate by

Feb 28, 2005