Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

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 hazards associated with confined spaces, contributing to these hazards were: a. Failure to test the atmosphere of the cement silo for oxygen deficiency and/or toxic material before employee(s) are permitted to enter the silo and concrete truck mixing drums. b. Lack of supervisory controls over the work being performed in the silo and concrete truckmixing drums. c. Crushing, suffociation and/or death from crust cement falling from the silo and inadvertent start up of concrete drums. d. Lack of personal protective equipment. e. Lack of training provided to employees in the hazards associated with entering confined spaces. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards is to establish a written confined space entry program that will establish management controls over the work being performed and shall contain as a minimum, but not necessarily limited to, the following elements: a) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and employee training. b) 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 performed and certifies that all existing and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and necessary protective measures have been taken to assure the safety of each worker. c) Mechanical ventilation when determined necessary. d) Testing of the confined space atmosphere prior to entry and on a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5%) and/or toxic substances. e) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel are available and are stationed outside the confined space with proper rescue equipment. f) Training of all employees required to enter the confined space. g) Assure that employees utilize appropriate personal protective equipment. h) Establish a means of communication between the entrant and the standby person.