November 02, 2018
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued an October 31st news release stating that American Remediation and Environmental Inc. (“AREI”) has been cited for alleged violations related to confined space, fire and explosion hazards.
OSHA has proposed $171,281 in penalties for the Chunchula, Alabama, tank cleaning company.
OSHA inspectors are alleged to have determined that AREI allowed employees to enter a tank without testing for atmospheric hazards. The company was cited for:
- Allowing employees to use a non-explosion proof vacuum in a tank that transported a highly hazardous chemical;
- Failing to provide appropriate personal protective clothing;
- Authorizing employees to enter a permit-required confined space without a retrieval system;
- Failing to ensure confined space testing and monitoring equipment was property maintained
The company has 15 days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
A copy of the news release can be found here.
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