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) Serious injury and/or death from the hazards of oxygen deficiency or accumulation of toxic substances (such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, xylene, ethyl benzene, polyamide resin or epoxy resin) and fire/explosion hazards from the use of an epoxy resin base and converter while working inside of steel tanks for the purpose of painting (coating) the inside of the tank. These hazards resulted from deficiencies in the confined space entry program, including the following: (1) Failure to adopt a written entry permit system. (2) Failure to provide atmospheric testing prior to entry and on a regular basis. (3) Failure to adequately instruct vessel entrants or attendants on the hazards associated with confined space entry, the proper procedures to utilize the equipment needed. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards is to establish a written confined space entry program that will establish management controls over the work being performed and shall contain as a minimum, but not necessarily limited to, the following elements: (1) Written procedures covering a permit system, 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 assure the safety of each worker. (3) 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. (4) Testing of the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors when determined necessary as described in (2) above. (5) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel are available and are stationed outside the confined space with proper equipment to provide rescue of persons entering the space as determined necessary as described in (2) above. Such equipment must include safety harnesses and lifelines with pro- visions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If the entry is required for rescue, the rescuing employee(s) must be equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or other equivalent respiratory protection plus other appropriate personal protective equipment. (6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined space. This training shall include the procedures required prior to entry and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces. This would include the wearing of a body harness and tended lifeline attached to a hoist or jib; work practices to be followed while cleaning and locking out any moving agitators, rotating knives, etc., before work is allowed to begin.