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) Employee were exposed to the hazards of asphyxiation and excessive exposure to a highly toxic chemical (dimethyl sulfate) while entering the confined space of the Arquad #2 Reactor Tank on March 14, 1985. The company did not enforce an effective confined space entry program to assure employees entry could be accomplished safely. Contact with dimethyl sulfate (DMS) can cause severe burns to human tissues, paralysis, delayed damage burns to human tissues, paralysis, delayed damage to kidneys, liver, heart, and can cause death. An adequate confined space program shall include, but is not limited to: 1) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training. 2) The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which requires authoriztion 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 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 atmosphere, 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%) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or cumbustible 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 of 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 a rescue, th rescuing employees must be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. 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.