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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 308646546
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 07/07/2005 I
Initial Penalty: $1,250.00
Current Penalty: $2,000.00
Issuance Date: 07/01/2005
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 2
Related Event Code (REC): A
Gravity: 03
Report ID: 0636900
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | I: Informal Settlement | 07/29/2005 | $2,000.00 | 07/07/2005 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 07/01/2005 | $1,250.00 | 07/07/2005 | Serious |
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 free from recognized hazards that were causing, or likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to employees. On May 13, 2005, near the intersection of Morningstar and S.H. 121 in The Colony, Texas, at manhole #SBC 453, two employees were found at the bottom of the manhole. The employer was clearing out conduit lines for fiber optic cables. The contractor was blowing string from one manhole (#454) to manhole #453. The foreman instructed two employees to watch for the rat line at manhole 453. The foreman instructed the two employees not to enter the manhole. At manhole 454, after it was ventilated and tested, they ran a rat line (paper wrapped in duct tape attached to nylon string) through one of the conduit lines and the employees at manhole #453 acknowledged the rat line went through. They ran a second rat line and the employees at manhole #453 acknowledged the rat line went through. A third line was blown through but the foreman did not get a response. The foreman went to check manhole #453 and found the two employee laying at the bottom of the manhole. Before conducting a re-evaluation, the foreman entered the manhole to help but quickly exited the confined space and called for help and 911. According to the medical examiner's report, the cause of death was asphyxia from methane gas. For non permit confined spaces, ANSI/ASSE Z117.1-2003, Section 4.3.1 states: Any change of conditions in the space which introduces new hazards to the space, shall require an immediate re-evaluation of the space before entry. Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard are: 1. Use continuous ventilation in all manholes that employees will eventually enter. 2. Conduct monitoring of the manhole after each conduit line is cleared. 3. Emphasize to employees through periodic training that a non permit confined space can become hazardous due to changing conditions in the confined space and surrounding work environment. Implement procedures outlined in ANSI/ASSE Z117.1-2003, Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces.