Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A 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 hazards of confined spaces: Airport Road, West of Route 31, employees were replacing storm sewer pipe and entering a manhole for the purpose of aligning a laser beam approximately 11 feet deep. The employer did not carry out or enforce a confined space entry procedure and program requiring the training of all employees in confined space entry procedures; testing and monitoring of the atmosphere for the presence of sufficient oxygen and the absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, and had not established a rescue procedure. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate job site confined space entry program such as that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1- 1977, "Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other Confined Spaces." Such a program shall include, as a minimum, the following elements: 1) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and employee training. 2) The completion and posting of a warning sign and a confined space entry permit which requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the location and type of work to be done and certifies that all existing and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person designated by the employer, and necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker. 3) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmospheres, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5% to 25%) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 5) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel are available and are stationed outside the confined space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue or persons entering the space as determined necessary as described in (2) above. Such equipment must include safety harness and lifelines with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. NOTE: Under no circumstances is the standby person to enter the confined space until assured that adequate assistance is present. 6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces.