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 entered a confined space without adequate protective measures having been put in place: a) Inadequate procedures for entering and working in confined spaces (baghouse) exposed employees to the potential hazards of oxygen deficiency, toxic or explosive atmospheres. Employees enter the baghouse to perform cleaning and maintenance work. The procedures were inadequate for the following reasons: 1) Confined space atmospheres are not tested for oxygen content, flammability and toxicity prior to entry into the confined space. 2) Provisions were not made for continuous monitoring while employees are inside the confined space. 3) Preparation for entry into confined space does not include provisions to assure that ventilation to control toxic flammable or oxygen deficient atmospheres was adequate. 4) Life-lines and harnesses were not used, nor are they immediately available. 5) Employees and supervisors were not trained in the health and safety associated with confined space work. Employees and supervisors were not familiar with entry and rescue techniques. 6) Confined space entry procedures did not include the use of a permit system with a management checkoff/sign-off (authorization) and a hazard control checklist. 7) Appropriate warning signs, tags and labels were not posted in the area of confined space work. (04/05/90)