Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: EXPLOSION

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: The hazard of being asphyxiated where oxygen had been displaced by carbon dioxide in an enclosed room, as in: On or about February 15,1996: On Narrows Barge Number Two, in the carbon dioxide room below deck, employees were exposed to the hazard of asphyxiation from the displacement of oxygen by carbon dioxide when the fire suppression system discharged carbon dioxide into the adjoining fuel skid room which migrated to the carbon dioxide storage room. An employee entered the carbon dioxide room in order to reset the Jamesbury carbon dioxide distribution valve and associated plunger, and was asphyxiated when he entered the hazardous atmosphere. The employer failed to provide suitable safeguards to ensure prompt evacuation, to prevent entry into hazardous atmospheres and to provide means of prompt rescue of trapped personnel. Reference: National Fire Protection Association - Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems - 12/93 - Chapter 1-5.1.1 - Hazards to Personnel: ABATEMENT: Among others, reasonable and feasible abatement would be: 1. To relocate the Jamesbury carbon dioxide distribution valves and associated plungers to a location where a hazardous atmosphere will not develop subsequent to a carbon dioxide release. 2. To prevent employee entry into areas where carbon dioxide may be present until it is determined, through the use of appropriate monitoring equipment (either continuous monitoring or manual direct reading instruments) that the area(s) are safe for human occupancy. 3. To ensure, if entry into areas where hazardous concentrations of carbon dioxide are present is necessary, that employees use the appropriate respiratory protective equipment (SCBA), in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134, including emergency back up personnel. 4. Train personnel in the proper procedures for responding to carbon dioxide releases including use and care of monitoring equipment, personal protective equipment, and safe work practices. 5. Develop a means to prevent migration of carbon dioxide into other areas of the barges. The National Fire Protection Association cautions against possible exposure to carbon dioxide in: NFPA - Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems - 12/93 - Chapter 1-5.1.1 Hazards to Personnel. In any use of carbon dioxide, consideration shall be given to the possibility that personnel could be trapped in or enter into an atmosphere made hazardous by a carbon dioxide discharge. Suitable safeguards shall be provided to ensure prompt evacuation, to prevent entry into such atmospheres, and to provide means of prompt rescue of any trapped personnel. Personnel training shall be provided. Pre-discharge alarms shall be provided except as noted in 1-7.1(c) and 1-7.3.5. NOTE: It is recommended that self contained breathing apparatus be provided for rescue purposes. (See NFPA chapter 1-5.1 referenced.)