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: a) Procedures were inadequate for entering kilns to clear "wrecks"; "k" plant: 1) There were no written confined space entry (C.S.E.) procedures. 2) Employees were not adequately trained in safe confined space entry (C.S.E.) procedures. 3) C.S.E. procedures did not include provisions for testing for oxygen deficiency, combustible gas and carbon monoxide levels, or temperature. 4) C.S.E. procedures did not include the use of a permit system, with management "sign-off" (authorization) and hazard/control checklist. 5) There were no provisions for medical surveillance of personnel performing C.S.E. work (ability to withstand heat stress, etc.) 6) Warning labels and safety instructional signs were not posted in the area of C.S.E. work. 7) The use of a standby worker was not properly understood during emergency response (rescue, etc.) activities. 8) There were no provisions to supply the worker inside the kiln during C.S.E. with a lifeline and harness for rescue. 9) Personal protective equipment was inadequate. The heat reflective suit provided radiant heat protection but did not supply air for breathing and cooling (supplied air cooled heat reflective suit). 10) The standby worker did not have respiratory equipment for rescue work (SCBA, supplied air suit, etc.).