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: (a) Employees in the Burner Department, going into the burner to put lid & drums back on the conveyor, were exposed to the hazards of open flames & flammable or oxygen deficient atmosphere inherent to conitions likely to be encounted in confined spaces. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is implementation of an effective confined space entry procedure which requires all persons performing such operations to assure the presence of a safe atmosphere prior to entry and to further assure the presence of a standby person outside the enclosure equipped to provide rescue assistance in the event of an emergency. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFINED SPACE ENTRY 1) Require employees to obtain written authorization, signed by at least one supervisor prior to confined space entry. (confined space entry permit). The permit must indicate special precaution and time period for which it is valid. 2) Lockout, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical, electrical, liquid and gas systems relating to the cofined space that may create a hazard during entry should these systems be put in motion or otherwise activated. 3) Testing of the atmosphere prior to entry into the confined space and on a regular basis during occupancy for presence of suffi- cient oxygen (19.5%) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases (maximum 10% LEL) or dusts. When toxic sub- stances are present for which no equipment to test the atmosp- here is available, the employee shall be permitted to enter the confined space only with the use of air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. 4) Establish a tag-out system to mark the confined space unsafe for entry should tests indicate the space is unsafe for entry. Mark- ing is to remain in place until test indicate entry is safe. 5) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and continued ventilation during entry to assure a safe atmosphere. 6) Written emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel are available and are stationed outside of the confined space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons entering the space. Such equipment must include safety harness and lifelines with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescue employee must be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. 7) The confined space entry procedures shall be written and the responsible employees shall be trained in all aspects of the procedures.