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 being overcome by toxic gases or oxygen deficient atmospheres and physical hazards in confined spaces: (a) Thames St. Jobsite: On or about 05/12/11 Spinello Companies failed to enforce confined space entry procedures for employees who were working in a sewer line approximately 300 feet from the nearest manhole. Deficiencies included: (1) Ineffective retrieval system to remove disabled or unconscious workers from confined space. (2) Failure to provide adequate rescue capability for individuals in a confined space should an emergency arise. (3) Failure to perform continuous testing of the atmosphere for oxygen deficiency and toxic air contaminants. (4) Failure to develop and implement proper standby personnel procedures for all points of entry and exit. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate confined space entry program such as that stipulated in ANSI/ASSE 2117.1-2009 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces.