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) Wash Tank, entry into area containing phos- phoric acid and fluoride acid salt solution of 150 degrees to unjam chair parts along conveyor line, exposing employees to engulfment and chemical and thermal burns. b) Cure Oven, entry into area heated to 390 degrees to unjam chair parts along conveyor line, exposing employees to heat and a toxic/oxygen deficient at- mosphere. c) Dryer Oven, entry into area heated to 390 degrees to unjam chair parts along conveyor line, exposing employees to heat and/or oxygen deficient atmosphere. .po 10 Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to establish and enforce an adequate plant confined space entry procedures 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. Hazard Idenditification - Identify and evaluate each hazard of the permit spaces including determination of severity. 2. Hazard Control - Establish and implement the means, procedures and practices by which the permit spaces can be entered safely to include isolation in the confined space of hazardous materials and/or activation of energy sources. 3. Permit System - Establish a written permit system for the proper preparation, issuance and implementation of entry permits. 4. Employee Information - Signs shall be posted near permit spaces to notify employees that hazards may be present and that only authorized entrants may enter the permit spaces. 5. Prevention of unauthorized entry - Prevent unauthorized employee entry through such measures as training or by posting signs and barriers as necessary. 6. Employee Training - Train employees so that attendants authorized entrants and personnel authorizing or in charge of entry can work safely in and around the permit space. 7. Equipment - Provide, maintain and ensure the proper use of the equipment necessary for safe entry, including testing, monitoring, communication and personal protective equipment. 8. Rescue - Ensure that the procedures and equipment necessary to rescue entrants from permit spaces are implemented and provided. 9. Protection from External Hazards - Ensure that all pedestrian, vehicle or other barriers necessary to protect entrants from external hazards are provided. 10. Duty to Other Employers - Ensure that when an employer such as a contractor, plans to send employees into a permit space which is under the control of another employer (host employer), the host employer provides the contractor with all available information on permit space hazards; on efforts to comply with this standard; and on any other workplace hazards safety rules and emergency procedures of which the contractor needs to be aware of.