Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A Hazard: CONFINED

The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for illness. 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 asphyxiation and toxic vapor hazards: a) Tank Welding Area - employees were required to weld on the inside of tanks, thereby being exposed to a confined space hazard; and a permit system and a confined space entry program were not implemented, September 15, 1992. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM CONSISTING OF AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING: 1. Implementation of confined space entry permit procedures which lists the precautions to be taken. The following "checklist" or precautions should be included on the entry permit: hazard(s) identified; testing and emergency procedures established; electrical equipment de-energized and locked-out; contaminants diluted by purging or ventilation; lifelines and safety belts utilized, and rescue equipment in place and tested. 2. Conduct atmosphere monitoring and testing prior to entry and during the time period that work is being performed in the confined space. Testing shall be for oxygen content and toxic substance concentrations. 3. Attach a safety belt and lifeline to the employee entering the confined space. 4. Provide a trained standby employee outside of the vessel to maintain communication with the confined space workers, unobstructed lifelines, and procedures for obtaining immediate help in the event of an emergency. Rescuers should be instructed and drilled in rescue procedures. Rescuers should be informed not to enter the confined area unless others are standing by in the event that additional help is required. The rescuer should be equipped with proper personal protective equipment including a lifeline and safety belt. 5. Instruct employees as to the nature of the hazards involved and the necessary precautions to be taken in regard to entry into the vessel. Employees should be trained with emphasis on the hazards associated with their work, the proper entry procedures to be followed and the required personal protective equipment needed when entry is made. Rescuers should be trained in artificial respiration techniques and basic first-aid procedures. 6. Provide sufficient exhaust ventilation to keep the concentration of toxic substances in the vessel to within permissible exposure limits and ensure that ventilation exhaust ducts discharge clear of working areas. 7. Provide readily available emergency standby equipment consisting of a safety line and/or harness of sufficient length and where the internal atmosphere is oxygen deficient or contains toxic gases, a self-contained breathing apparatus or a supplied-air respirator should be utilized by the employee entering the confined space and one available for rescue. 8. All entrances to confined spaces should be posted: "Danger, confined space, entry by permit only".