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: a) Riviera Electric, Federal prison site, Florence, CO: employees were exposed to potential oxygen deficient atmospheres and elevated levels of welding fume resulting from cad-welding in confined spaces while installing ground wire connections without adequate confined space entry procedures on or about August 22, 1991. The following elements from the (ANSI A117.1-1989) were not addressed. 1) A confined space entry permit system was not in place. 2) Atmospheric testing was not done prior to confined space entry. 3) An Emergency response rescue program was not in place. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is the implementation of a confined space entry program which includes but is not limited to the following sections relating to confined space entry ANSI Z117. 1-1989. 5.1 Entry Permits. A permit shall be established for all PRCS entries. This document shall include: 5.1.2 The hazards to be controlled or eliminated prior to proceeding with the entry: 5.3.1 Atmospheric test results shall be within acceptable limits per Section 6.0 of the standard. If atmospheric test results are not within acceptable limits, precautions to protect entrants against the hazards shall be addressed on the permit and in place. 6.0 Atmospheric Testing. 6.1 Requirements. Before entry into a confined space, testing shall be conducted for hazardous atmospheres by a qualified person, Testing equipment used in classified areas shall be listed or approved for use in such areas. This listing or approval shall be from nationally recognized testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories or Factory Mutual Systems. 6.2 Testing Considerations. Testing of confined spaces shall be condusted throughout the entire portion of the space to be occupied. Functional checks should be performed on the equipment before each entry using manufacturer's instructions. 11.0 Selection. Employees shall wear personal protection equipment i.e. respiratory protection, selected in accordance with the requirement of the job to be performed and meeting the specifications of applicable standards. 12.0 Safeguards 12.2 Retrieval Equipment, Appropriate retrieval equipment or methods shall be used whenever a person enters a PRCS. Exceptions: if the retrieval equipment increases the overall risks or entry or does not contribute to the rescue, it use may be waived. 14.0 Emergecy response. 14.1 Emergency Response Plan. A plan of action shall be written with provisions to conduct a timely rescue. Included in these provisions shall be: 14.1.1 Determination of what methods of rescue must be implemented to retrieve individuals: 14.1.2 Designation of rescue personnel that are immediately available where PRCS entries are conducted. 14.1.3 Type and availability of equipment needed to rescue individuals. 14.1.4 An effective means of summon rescuers in a timely manner. 14.1.5 Training and drill of the attendant and rescue personnel in preplanning, rscue and emergency procedures according to section 15 of this standard. 14.2 Breathing Equipment. All rescue personnel must use self contained brething apparaus (SCBA) or Combination Type C Airline/SCBA breathing equipment, when entering the confined space to rescue victims. If it is established that the cause of teh emergency is not a hazardous atmosphere, rescue breathing equipment is not required. Note: All affected employees would need to be trained s specified in section 15.0 training of the ANSI Z117.1989 after all the above deficiencies are corrected.