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 ex- posed to: (a) Manville Sales Corporation - Employee(s) were allowed to enter vessels in the T12 Department that had contained a slurry mixture to perform repair activities and vessels in the Roofing Department that contained an asphalt mixture to perform mainte- nance activities without the employer enforcing the implementa- tion of proper confined space entry procedures, to protect em- ployee(s) from recognized hazards of being overcome by toxic gases and/or oxygen deficient atmospheres. In that, the employ- er did not assure that the vessels entered were mechanically ventilated and/or atmospherically tested prior to entry and on a regular basis or that employees involved in the confined space entry were fully informed of emergency rescue procedures. A feasible method of abatement includes, but is not limited to: (1) Implementation of written procedures concerning a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue proce- dures, lockout procedures (if applicable) and employee training. Conduct periodic evaluation of hte effective- ness of the procedures. (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) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmos- phere, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. (4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis for the presence of suffi- cient 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 out- side the confined space with proper equipment to provide for rescue of persons entering the space as determined necessary in (2) above. Such equipment must include a safety harness and lifeline with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required for a rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped with appropriate air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. (6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces.