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. Location: Lone Star Steel Company, Lone Star, Texas. The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from the recognized hazard of a potentially oxygen deficient atmosphere or inhalation of toxic gases or vapors in a confined space. On or about September 29, 1992, two (2) employees were overcome when they entered annealing furnance number 4's cooling zone for repairs, recognized safe work procedures for entry and work in a confined space was not implemented. Such procedures should include but are not limited to: 1. Conducting testing of work environments for oxygen, carbon monoxide, vapors or gases prior to entry. 2. Ventilation of the space using local exhaust ventilation before and during entry. 3. Locking out blanking or disconnecting and securing all sources of supply piping into confined space. 4. Training of all employees involved in operations to insure adherence of safe practices and emergency procedures. 5. Verification of implementation of safe work practices through issuance of an entry permit by a competent person.