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

SCRR 71-112A: Failed to furnish a place of employment which is free of recognized hazards which may cause death or serious physical harm to his employees and comply with this regulation and other occupational safety and health rules and regulations promulgated under Chapter 15 of Title 41, Code of Laws, State of South Carolina, 1976, as amended, as follows: A. Employer knew or should have known that employees involved in sand blasting and painting of Darlington County water tank interior were exposed to hazards associated with entry into a confined space such as the water tank on site and had not written confined space entry program available at the jobsite. A feasible and useful means of abatement, among others is to keep and enforce a written confined space entry program at the jobsite which includes as a minimum the following elements: 1)Hazard recognition training for all employees who enter confined spaces 2)Test the confined space atmosphere for oxygen level, flammability, and known or suspected toxic substances prior to entry 3)Provide ventilation when needed and clean or purge to the extent feasible prior to entry 4)Establish and enforce work procedures including safety lines and standby person when needed, respiratory equipment as appropriate 5)Establish preplanned rescue procedures B. Employer knew or should have known that not having a pre-planned rescue procedure at the Darlington County water tank jobsite exposed superintendant and painters to a potential hazard of being overcome by xylene fumes or other potential emergency situations inside a confined space and have no clear means of how to rescue employees inside. A feasible and useful method, among others to correct this hazard is to keep a site specific rescue procedure at the jobsite so employees will know what steps are to be followed in the event of an emergency.