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) Leetsdale Industrial park, Leetsdale, PA 15056; Procedures for confined space entry were not implemented/utilized at the facility. The following deficiencies had existed: l) confined space entry permits were not completed prior to employee entry into confined spaces 2) atmospheric monitoring/testing (to include oxygen content and airborne contaminants) was not conducted prior to employee entry into confined spaces 3) employees worked alone in confined spaces without the use of a safety belt and harness attached to a lifeline 4) employees worked in confined spaces without an attendant stationed immediately outside the confined space, 5) employees not trained in confined space rescue entered a confined space for the purpose of rescue, 6) arrangements for an outside confined space rescue team to become familiar with the terminal facilities and the location of all confined spaces at the terminal were not conducted. Among other methods one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to implement and train employees on all aspects of confined space entry programs/procedures.