The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined B&R Repair $326,306 after a worker was overcome from exposure to bleach and chlorine gas while cleaning out a tanker-trailer.
OSHA determined that the trucking repair company failed to identify and evaluate atmospheric hazards in the confined space, train workers on the confined space program, and ensure employees filled out a confined-space permit before entry into a confined space.
OSHA also found that the repair firm failed to equip the worker rescuing the unconscious employee with a retrieval system, implement its own procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, and numerous other violations of its permit-required confined space regulations.
The company was also cited for failing to provide fall protection to an employee working on top of tanker trailers and provide training on fall hazards, respirators, and hazard communication.
A total of 12 citations were issues: two willful and 10 serious violations.
“In recent years, OSHA investigated instances in which workers suffered tragic injuries because employers failed to follow appropriate procedures for ensuring healthy atmospheric conditions inside a confined space and use of adequate respiratory protection before allowing workers to enter tanks,” said Jacob Scott, OSHA area director in Naperville, Illinois, in a prepared statement. “The company must immediately review its confined space procedures, emergency action plans and provide additional training to protect workers on the job.”
B & R Repair is a truck and trailer repair company that provides services to all makes and models of tractors, tankers, trailers, trucks, buses, and various cargo transport units. In addition to the main facility in Lemont, Illinois, the company has service locations in Lansing and Wampum, Pennsylvania.
Source: OSHA
