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 required to enter confined spaces, which could contain toxic flammable or oxygen deficient atmospheres, and they were not provided with a Confined Space Entry Program: a) Fairmont Foundry, Cupola Air Pollution Control System: A maintenance employee required to enter the Dynactor Stage One Scrubber Box to perform plumbing repairs on 2/20/89 was exposed to a lethal concentration of carbon monoxide gas and was not protected by a confined space entry program which included at a minimum the following precaution: 1) Air monitoring for toxic and oxygen deficient atmospheres each time time employees entered any of the Dynactor's enclosed or confined spaces to assure that employees were not entering hazardous atmospheres; 2) Entry permits issued by supervisory personnel which outlined specific job functions and time periods for which confined space entry would be permitted; 3) Standby personnel equipped with lifelines, emergency rescue equipment and communication systems which would provide continuous communications with the employee in the confined space, and emergency communication for additional rescue workers; 4) Training for all employees involved in confined space, entry, rescue operations and cupola operations in all aspects of the program including: Air testing equipment use and calibration, emergency communication procedures, emergency first aid, CPR, and proper cupola operation while maintenance is being performed.