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

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces: a. Fenced Baller Machine/Top of Stairs of the Scrap Pit - On or about June 23, 2016, the employer required employees to enter a fenced/gated area to pull the slit edges of metal scrap into a winding slot of the scrap baller machine. The employer did not ensure that this space was properly evaluated . Employees were thereby exposed to the hazards of Permit Required Confined Spaces. The potential and/or actual hazards not properly addressed were the following; 1. The top level floor - walking/standing space area next to the baller machine was limited and not for continuous human occupancy. 2. The space was not tested for potential atmosphere from the cutting oil associated with coils of steel. 3. The fall hazards at the top of the scrap pit were not properly addressed. No standard guardrailing system. 4. The space contained other recognized safety hazards, but not addressed - entanglement in the metal scrap when accumulated in the pit. 5. The area outside the baller machine was surrounded with a fence/gate door that wasn't fastened. 6. The surface of the downward - slopped metal plank to the scrap pit appeared lustered and/or slippery. 7. The stair way descending to the bottom of the scrap pit did not have handrail on the open side.