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) Procedures were inadequate for entering and cleaning of the sluiceway between the scarfer and the smoke chest at the 44 inch slab mill. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to develop a confined space entry program that incorporates the following items as requirements for a Class C confined space entry program: 1. Employees and supervisors were not trained in safe confined spaces entry (C.S.E.) procedures. 2. C.S.E. procedures did not include the use of a permit systems, with management "sign-off" (authorization) and hazard/control checklist. 3. C.S.E. procedures did not include provisions for testing for oxygen and combustible gas/vapor levels, or monitoring the air for toxic materials (initial testing only). 4. Warning labels and safety instructional signs were not posted in the area of C.S.E. work. 5. Employees who enter this area were not provided with safety belts. 6. There was no self contained breathing apparatus immediately available for C.S.E. emergency, nor was there an emergency rescue plan and equipment. 7. There was no initial plan for C.S.E. work. 8. There were no communications/observation for the C.S.E. work. 9. There were no written work procedures for the C.S.E. work. The following items are to be requirements of the company's Class C confined space entry program if the company's qualified person determines that they are needed: 1. Atmospheric monitoring of the C.S.E. while an employee is working in the C.S. 2. Any special cleaning processes prior to entry of the C.S. 3. Safety equipment and clothing such as head, hearing, hand, foot, body protection for the employees who do the C.S. work. 4. There were no provision for medical surveillance of personnel performing C.S.E. work. 5. Preparation for C.S.E. work did not include provisions to assure that ventilation was adequate, electrical equipment was safe, or that work practices were proper (special equipment or tools). 6. There were no provisions for a standby person.