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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: An oxygen deficient argon asphyxiating atmosphere immediately dangerous to life and health in the plant while operaing the #21 Bell Furnace and during rescue operations at the #21 Bell Furnace pit. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate confined space entry program from sources such as the 1979 NIOSH criteria document of 1979 Working in Confined Spaces, and ANSI Z117.1-1979 American National Standard Safety requirements for working in Tanks and Confined Spaces. Essential elements of the confined space program would include a permit required confined space program, a permit system, training and duties of authorized entrants, training and duties of attendants, training and duties of the individual authorizing or in charge of entry, rescue teams and special permits for entry into low-hazard permit spaces. Include among the methods of feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard would be to establish a scheduled maintenance program for the oxygen alarm system and ensuring that the program is implemented. Essential elements of the alarm system maintenance program would include periodic checks and maintenance as described in the instruction manual from the manufacturer of the Gastech alarm system.