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 working in confined space, such as sewer and vault manholes: a) A confined space permit was not completed prior to a worker entering a Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS) manhole over 10 feet in depth; b) The employer did not maintain a written confined space program; c) Atmospheric testing was not conducted prior to a worker entering a PRCS manhole over 10 feet in depth, the employer's program did not consider the potential for changing atmospheric conditions in PRCS confined spaces; d) Ventilation or other protective measures were not taken prior to a worker entering a PRCS manhole over 10 feet in depth, the employer's program included no provisions for ventilating a PRCS; e) Emergency procedures were not in place for PRCS entry including means of providing timely rescue for entering employee(s). f) Entry was made into a confined space by a worker who had not completed confined space training; the employer's program did not include adequate precautions to prevent unauthorized worker's from entering PRCS's. Among other methods, one feasible means of abatement would be to comply with the American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z117.1-2003, Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces. Certification of abatement is required by 29 CFR Part 1903 and is to be submitted within ten (10) calendar days after the abatement date.