OSHA Inspection: C. B. UTILITY CO., INC.

Issued

Nov 24, 2015

Abate by

Jan 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:  Worksite: In the following instances employees entering into confined spaces and acting as an attendant outside of confined spaces were not adequately trained to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions.  Such conditions include, but are not limited to:  When an employee entered into a confined space to conduct painting activities with solvent-based paints, the worker assigned to remain outside the confined space (the Attendant) had not been adequately trained in the duties of a confined space Attendant.  This Attendant was given verbal instructions by the Entrant just prior to the confined space activity taking place, and did not adequately prepare him to serve as the attendant.

Issued

Nov 24, 2015

Abate by

Jan 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(6)(i): All employees required to enter into confined or enclosed spaces were not instructed as to the nature of the hazards involved, the necessary precautions to be taken, and in the use of protective and emergency equipment required. The employer did not comply with any specific regulations that apply to work in dangerous or potentially dangerous areas:  Worksite: When an employee entered into a confined space to conduct painting activities with solvent-based paints they were not adequately instructed to the hazards involved, the precautions to be taken, and the use of protective and emergency equipment.  This was demonstrated by :  1) The employer did not supply the entrant with two supplied air blowers to adequately ventilate the confined space.  Using two blowers at opposite ends of the space would create a "push-pull" air exchange system to properly remove solvent-contaminated air generated during the painting process;  2) The employer supplied the employees with metal tools to work with inside the confined space.  Use of such tools may create a static discharge that could ignite flammable vapors generated during the painting process;  3) The employer supplied employees with a gas monitor that was at least three (3) months past due calibration. The employees were not adequately trained to recognize this hazard.  4) When an employee was required to enter into a confined space to conduct painting with solvent-based paints, the employer did not make arrangements prior to entry to provide or have available timely rescue and emergency services for the confined space entry.