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 the hazard of an atmosphere with unknown levels of oxygen and/or accumulations of toxic gases/vapors while working in a confined space without observing safe entry procedures. A.) 670 Brogdon Road, Suwanee job site: On 9/18/2006, employees entered into an 18' manhole, which is considered a confined space, without the benefit of safe entry procedures such as but not limited to: air monitoring for oxygen, combustible and toxic gases/vapors, mechanical ventilation and emergency rescue procedures or equipment. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to follow the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard Z117.1, 1995 Requirements for Confined Spaces, including the identification of hazards within a confined space (required in Section 3), control atmospheric testing when necessary (required in Section 6), retrieval equipment (required in Section 12), and emergency rescue provisions (required in Section 14). In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.