Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 100913318
Citation: 02001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 06/20/1992 X
Initial Penalty: $10,000.00
Current Penalty: $600.00
Issuance Date: 08/23/1990
Nr Instances: 2
Nr Exposed: 20
Related Event Code (REC): A
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0729300
Contest Date: 09/18/1990
Final Order: 10/24/1991
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | F: Formal Settlement | 10/24/1991 | $600.00 | 06/20/1992 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 08/23/1990 | $10,000.00 | 11/08/1990 | Willful |
Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CONFINED
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place or 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 potentially toxic, explosive and/or oxygen deficient atmospheres while performing welding operations on a variety of base metals using gases such as, but not necessarily limited to argon and carbon dioxide: a) Specifically on or about 5/2/90 in the clean room an employee entered tub #1, tilted at a 45 degree angle, to conduct a welding operation on zirconium base metal using argon gas as a back up, shielding and trailing gas, which created an oxygen deficient atmosphere, without the air being monitored before entry and during operations; without emergency rescue equipment available or procedures in effect; without a written permit being completed or posted; and without comprehensive confined space entry training. b) On or about 3/27/90 in the clean room, an employee entered tub #1 in a flat position (sides vertical, bottom downward) to conduct a welding operation on zirconium base metal using argon gas as a back up, shielding, and trailing gas, which created a potentially oxygen deficient atmosphere, without the air being monitored before entry and during operations; without emergency rescue equipment available or procedures in effect; without a written permit being completed or posted and without comprehensive confined space entry training. c) On or about 4/6/90 in the clean room, employees entered a vessel, which was recognized as a confined space by the company, through a small opening to conduct a welding operation using argon gas as a back up, shielding and trailing gas, without emergency rescue equipment available or procedures in effect; without a written permit being completed or posted; and without comprehensive confined space entry training. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry program; such as the program outlined in ANSI Z117.1-1989 and ANSI Z117.1-1977 as adopted by the Steel Plate Fabricators Association, Inc. and the provisions outlined in the 1/16/85 letter from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to Nooter Corporation which described the confined space hazard and offered basic suggestions for corrective action. The letter was received by Nooter Corporation on 1/25/85. A minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure consists of the following elements: 1) Written procedures covering; a permit system, personal protective equipment, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training. 2) The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the location and type of work to be done and certifies that all existing and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker. 3) 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. In the event that adequate mechanical ventilation is not possible due to work conditions, then appropriate respiratory protection is to be used, per guidance in 1910.134. Isolation/Lockout procedures with a requirment that the confined space be completely isolated from all systems by physical disconnection, double block and bleed, or blanking off all lines when determined necessary in (2) above. 4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis during occupancy for presence of sufficient oxygen, a minimum of 19.5% and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 5) Emergency rescue procedures with a 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 lifelines with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required, the rescuing employees must be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. 6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined spaces. This training shall include procedures required for entry, the hazards associated with work in confined spaces, and rescue training procedures. DISCLAIMERS: 1) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested above. 2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method.
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