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 the employer did not utilize a confined space entry procedure that adequately protected employees enterind confined spaces: a. Tank Cleaning Area - Employees entered tanker truck compartments to clean them and the confined space entry procedure did not include a means of a rescue person entering the tank with supplied air respirator and employees were not periodically trained on rescue operations, on or about June 22, 1992. Abatement Note: A confined space entry procedure shall include at a minimum: (1) Instructions as to the nature of the hazards involved and necessary precautions to be taken relative to confined space entry. (2) Posting of written confined space entry procedures adjacent to tanks, vessels, or other confined space area which may be entered. (3) Use of cleaning, purging, and ventilation procedures to remove sludge and other residue prior to confined space entry. (4) Implementation of established lockout and isolation procedures, where applicable, and issuance of a proper entry permit prior to confined space entry. (5) Use of atmospheric testing procedures to determine the presence of hazardous air contaminants and potential oxygen deficiency prior to entry into the confined space. (6) Where it has been determined that the confined space contains a hazardous air contaminent level and/or an oxygen deficiency, use of mechanicaly induced ventilation in the confined space before entry and during occupancy and/or use of respiratory protective equipment which provides adequate protection against the hazard(s) encountered. (7) Use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment, including safety harnesses and safety lines. (8) Provisions for a standby observer located outside the confined space and a means of communication with the worker inside the confined space and a means of obtaining immediate help in an emergency. (9) Provisions and procedures for readily available emergency standby equipment consisting of a safety line and harness arrangement and a supplied air breathing apparatus certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (10) Implementation of periodic training sessions relative to confined space entry, rescue, and first aid procedures.