Text For Citation: 01 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 of 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 asphyxiation from the hazard of oxygen deficiency during confined space entry: (a) On 2-26-92 an employee entered the mixer in the PH-60 plant to clean left over accumulations of cement out of the mixer at the end of the shift. This process is performed on a daily basis, at the end of each shift. The employer had not developed or implemented a confined space entry program which included: 1. A confined space entry permit system. 2. Training methods to alert affected employees to the hazards associated with entering a confined space and the methods that employees could use a minimize these hazards. 3. Procedures for atmospheric testing for oxygen de- ficiency, flammable gas, and toxic air contaminants prior to entering the confined space. 4. Use of mechanical ventilation to purge the confined space of dangerous atmospheric contaminants and to maintain a supply of fresh air. 5. An emergency response rescue program. Among other methods, two feasible and acceptable methods to abate these hazards are: a. Devise and implement a device to remotely clean the mixer, precluding the necessity of employees entering the mixer. b. If at any time it is necessary that employees enter the mixer, or any other confined space, developed and implement a confined space entry program which meets the criteria of Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces, American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z117.1-1989).