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: (a) At the Setters facility - At times prior to April 1,1993, employee(s) working in the elevator pit(s) located at the inside bucket elevator, were exposed to potential oxygen deficiency or toxic levels of gases while cleaning water and debris from the pit(s) without the benefit of a comprehensive confined space entry program, in that elements such as, but not limited to, the following were not addressed and/or enforced: 1. A confined space entry permit system was not required for employees entering the pit(s). 2. Atmospheric testing was not performed prior to entering the pit(s). 3. An emergency response rescue program that included provisions for an observer trained in rescue procedures and provided with proper rescue equipment was not in place. 4. Employees were allowed to enter the pit(s) without wearing a body harness and life line. 5. The company written confined spaces program was not enforced. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to implement and enforce a confined space entry program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.147 "Permit-Required Confined Spaces for General Industry" which takes effect on April 15, 1993.