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

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) When entering the effluent collection tank (i.e. to take a BOD sample) employees were exposed to a potentialy oxygen deficient atmosphere. General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following: 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 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 that proper use of the equipment necessary for safe entry, including testing, monitoring, communication and personal protective equipment; 8) Rescue. Ensure that all 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.