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

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 entering a pit in the baler area to perform cleanup and removal of waste paper trim were exposed to the hazards of entering a confined space which could have contained hazardous airborne contaminants or lacked sufficient oxygen, without adequate confined space entry procedures. 1) On or about March 1992, an employee entered a pit in the baler area to perform the cleanup and removal of waste paper trim. There was no monitoring of the oxygen prior to or during entry. There were no lifelines or safety harnesses in use or present. The ladder used to gain access to the pit area (measuring approximately 8-12 feet deep) was removed from the pit while the employee was working to remove the waste paper trim.This further impeded a safe exit from the pit area. An engulfment hazard also existed whereby employees were required to stand on top of loose waste paper trim to perform work. Among other methods of abatement of the hazards, one feasible method to abate these deficiencies, includes, but is not limited to instituting the following 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 precautions and time period for which it is valid. 2) Lockout, blocking or equivalent of all mechanical, electrical, liquid and gas systems relating to the confined space that may create a hazar d during entry should these systems be put in motion or otherwise ac- tivated. 3) Testing of the atmosphere prior to entry into the confined space and on a regular basis during occupancy for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases (maximum 10LEL) or dusts. When toxic substances are present for which no equipment to test the atmosphere is available, the employee shall be permitted to enter the confined space only with the use of ai r supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protec- tive equipment. 4) Establish a tag-out system to mark the confined space unsafe for entry should tests indicate the space is unsafe for entry. Marking is to remain in place until tests 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 forthe 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.