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) On or about August 7, 1991, employees were exposed to the hazards of oxygen deficiency and/or toxic or flammable substances, drowning, and other hazards within the confined space of a 23.5 inch diameter, 200 foot long horizontal underground pipeline at the company site on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard at Tilly Mill Road in Dekalb County. Among other methods, one feasible and accepatable abatement method to correct this hazard is a confined space program such as the following: 1) Identification and evaluation of the hazards of each confined space and establishment and implementation of apermit system to systematically review and control these hazards. Whenever feasible use work practices which do not require entering confined spaces. 2) Providing adequate training for all persons involved in confined space activities and providing a trained attendant stationed outside the confined space. 3) Ventilation of confined spaces to remove atomspheric contaminants and to maintain acceptable oxygen levels. 4) Testing for hazardous atmospheres by a qualified person before entry into a confined space. 5) Evaluation of each entry and exit point so that; (a) Safe entry and exit means can be provided. (b) Unauthorized entry can be prevented through training, signs, barriers, etc; (c) Protection can be provided to entrants from internal hazards such as water, hazardous materials, energy sources, etc; and (d) Protection can be provided to entrants from external hazards. 6) Determination by a qualified person of personal protective equipment, and retrieval equipment that may be needed by all personnel entering a confined space, and appropriate usage of proper equipment. 7) Posting of signs near each confined space to warn of the hazards. 8) Establishment of an emergency response plan with provisions for timely rescue in case of emergency. 9) Determination of medical suitability for persons involved in confined spaced activities. 10) Ensuring that any other employees such as outside contractors are provided information on the ahazards of the confined space.