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 hazards associated with entering a confined space such as, but not limited to, being overcome by toxic gases: a) On or about August 1, 2003, at 1430 Rose Garden Road, an employee entered a confined space (a manhole) without first testing for hazardous atmospheres and was potentially exposed to the hazard of occupying an oxygen deficient or toxic atmosphere. The employer failed to develop and implement confined space entry procedures for employees who were entering a newly constructed manhole to remove a plug to allow water in for a test of the lift station pumps. Mechanical ventilation was not used to remove atmospheric contaminants and there was no plan of action with provisions to conduct a timely rescue for individuals in a confined space. Among other methods, one recognized and feasible means of abatement to correct this hazard would be to implement the elements required by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), Standard Z117.1-1989 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces. Such a program shall include, as a minimum, the following elements: 1. Develop and utilize effective procedures for confined space entry including, but not limited to, using a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, employee training, designation of qualified people for standby and emergency procedures. 2. The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies that all existing hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and the necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker. 3. Blinding, blocking, bleeding, purging, lockout or any other steps necessary to reduce to and ensure zero mechanical and thermal state all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, liquid and gas systems relating to the confined space should any of these systems be put in motion or otherwise activated, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 4. Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 5. Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis for the presence of sufficient oxygen and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 6. Emergency rescue procedures with requirement that trained personnel are available and are stationed outside the confined space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons entering the space as determined necessary as described in (2) above. Such equipment must include safety harness and life lines with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required for a rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. 7. Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined space and all employees required to standby for rescue. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry, during occupation of the confined space, procedures for safe rescue of employees in the confined space and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces.