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 a place of 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 asphyxiation and/or death from the hazards of oxygen deficiency and/or dangerous accumulations of toxic or flammable gases: At this water tank site, employees were entering an elevated water tank in order to sandblast and paint. These hazards resulted from deficiencies in the implentation of the company's confined space entry program, which included the following: a) Failure to implement the company's permit system. b) Failure to test the atmosphere of the tank for oxygen deficiency, flammables and/or toxics prior to entry, and as needed during operations such as sandblasting and spray painting the interior of the tank. c) Lack of or inadequate training provided to employees in hazards associated with entering confined spaces, such as water tanks, along with methods they can take to minimize them. d) Failure to implement a rescue plan that included removal of entrants that may become disabled and for summoning rescue and emergency services. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow the procedures set forth in the American National Standards Institute ANSI Z117.1-1989 which includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following elements:(a) The completion and posting of a confined entry permit which requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the location and type of work to be done, and certifies that all existing and potential hazards have been evaluated and necessary protective measures have been taken to assure the safety of each worker.(b) Testing of the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry, and on a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen and the absence of hazardous levels of toxic or flammable gases or vapors.(c) Emergency rescue procedures including trained personnel with the proper equipment to provide rescue and a means of communication to summon emergency services such as an ambulance. ***THIS ITEM REQUIRES A WRITTEN CERTIFICATION OF ABATEMENT***