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) Entry into confined spaces, e.g. the muller, dust collector baghouse, and conveyor system below ground level in plant 2 used to transport castings and knockout sand from RMV machine, without a confined space entry program on 6/26/90. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to establish and enforce an adequate plant confined space entry procedure such as that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1- 1989, American National Standard for Working in Tanks and Other Confined Spaces. Essential elements of this confined space entry procedure would include: 1) Written procedures covering a permit system, isolation, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and employee training. 2) The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the location and type of work to be done and certifies that all existing and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker. 3) Isolation of the confined space to preclude the energy of hazardous materials and/or activation of energy sources (e.g. electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.) Methods which can be used to prevent the entry of hazardous materials into the confined space include: removing pipe sections, blanking pipelines or closing and locking two pipe sections, blanking pipelines or closing and locking two valves of piping leading to the confined space and locking open a drain valve leading to the two closed valves (double block and bleed). Methods which can be used to prevent activation of energy sources affecting the confined space include: locking out electrical line switches to equipment controlling moving hazards, dissipating stored energy in capacitors, air, steam, water and other pressure linesand blocking or repositioning springs, elevated machine members and rotating flywheels to prevent the release of stored energy. 4) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 5) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5% or greater) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic, flammable or combustible gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 6) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel are available and stationed outside the confined space with proper equipment to provide for rescue of person(s) entering the space. Such equipment must include safety harness(es) and lifeline(s) with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing employee(s) must be equipped with approved supplied air respiratory equipment with escape provisions of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) plus other appropriate personal protective equipment. 7) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined space. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry, the hazards associated with work in confined spaces as well as emergency rescue.