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 from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: (a) Building 2, employees were exposed to potential asphxiation due to oxygen deficiency or toxic atmosphere when entering confined spaces, e.g. performing cleaning work in a dip tank and general visits in the pit around the "new" dip tank (all confined spaces) Methods of abatement feasible and acceptable are: 1) Hazard identification. 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: 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 what hazards may be present and that only authorized entrants and personnel authorizing or in charge of entry can work safely in and around the permit space; 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.