OSHA fines New Orleans tank cleaner $226K for willful, repeat violations after a worker died, and two others were hospitalized, while they cleaned a rail tank car. The three workers were overcome by a lack of oxygen inside the rail tanker on Oct. 8, 2015. OSHA found the company failed to test the atmosphere inside the tanker before the three employers entered the tank, and to mandate that the workers attach a lifeline to their harnesses to allow a rescue. OSHA has cited the company for the same confined space violations three times before at its locations in Illinois. In April 2012, the agency issued eight serious violations at the company’s IL location. In May 2012, inspectors found nine serious and two willful violations at that location. In July 2014, an investigation found four serious and seven repeat violations. Willful violations include failing to test atmospheric conditions within a confined space before allowing workers to enter and evaluate a rescuer’s ability to respond in a timely manner and function appropriately while rescuing entrants from confined spaces. Serious violations include failing to have a complete respiratory protection program and to medically evaluate and fit test employees before allowing them to use respirators. Repeat violations include failing to take all necessary steps to guarantee safe entry into a confined space, provide fixed points or mechanical devices for retrieving workers from a permit-required space and verify and check appropriate entry conditions on a permit before letting workers enter a confined space.
Here is a breakdown of the citations:
