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) The hazards of asphyxiation and/or overexposure to air contaminants where employees were required to enter confined spaces, such as, steam pipe and valve vaults (manholes) and no procedure was established or followed to insure safe entry into such places. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to develop a confined space entry procedure for the company that contains at least the following elements: 1) The work area shall be inspected by a qualified person and entry shall be planned. 2) The atmosphere shall be tested by a qualified person before entry. 3) Only persons who are physically capable shall be allowed to enter confined spaces. 4) A second person shall be positioned outside the confined space to observe and/or maintain communication with employees at all times when inside confined spaces. 5) Employees shall be provided and required to use necessary personal protective equipment for entry into a confined space. 6) Employees shall be permitted to enter a confined space only after being issued a written and signed permit.