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 following conditions: (a)Acute intoxication and asphyxiation from over-exposure to carbon dioxide when either cylinders or the 6,000 pound carbon dioxide pressure vessel leak or when the process is not properly shut down after cylinder filling operations are completed. Among other methods, one or more feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this condition may include, but is not limited to: 1.Conformance with CGA (Compressed Gas Association) Pamphlet P-1, Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Containers, Section 3, General Safe Handling Rules For Compressed Gas Containers: a.Compressed gases shall be handled and used only by properly trained persons. b.A checklist or operating procedure should be posted or made available for the guidance of container fillers. c.Storage rooms shall be well ventilated and dry. d.Containers not in use: The user shall keep container valves closed at all times (charged or empty) except when the container is in use. By "in use" it is meant when gas is flowing from the container, when the container gas is maintaining pressure in a supply line, or when the container is standing by during and between operations utilizing the gas. 2.Conformance with CGA Pamphlet G-6, Carbon Dioxide, Section 7, Storage and Handling of Carbon Dioxide: a.Personnel should be trained in proper handling and use of carbon dioxide cylinders. They should also be made aware of the hazards involved when approved procedures are bypassed, altered, and ignored. b.Indoor installations: Most carbon dioxide containers are designed for outdoor installation. Indoor installations are discouraged, but if necessary, require increasing the pressure relief device capacity as required by CGA Pamphlet S- 1.3. c.All pressure relief devices shall be piped externally to a safe location. Container fill connections as well as level and pressure gauges should be piped to an outdoor location readily accessible to the person responsible for fillingthe container with carbon dioxide. 3.Conformance with CGA Pamphlet G-6.3, Carbon Dioxide Cylinder Filling and Handling Procedures, Section 3, Physical Effects of Over-exposure to Carbon Dioxide, Section 4, Special Hazards, Section 7.5, Operation, and Section 9, Cylinder Storage, Handling, Shipping, and Use: a.Appropriate warning signs should be placed at the entrance to confined areas where high concentrations of carbon dioxide gas can accumulate. b.Carbon dioxide monitoring should be carried out before entering any confined space or low area in which carbon dioxide gas may have accumulated. The carbon dioxide must be removed by ventilation to a concentration below 3 or a supplied air respirator must be donned before entering the confined area or low area. c.Rescue and first aid: Do not attempt to remove anyone exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide without utilizing proper rescue equipment. d.Personnel Overexposure: When carbon dioxide is used in an enclosed area, it is necessary to ventilate the area adequately to maintain a safe working environment for personnel. Carbon dioxide in the gaseous state is colorless and odorless and not easily detectable. Ventilation systems should be designed to exhaust from the lowest level and allow make-up air to enter at a higher point. Do not depend on measuring the oxygen content of the air alone, because elevated levels of carbon dioxide can be toxic, even with adequate oxygen for life support. e.Personnel handling liquid carbon dioxide should be thoroughly familiar with the hazards associated with this product. The operator must learn the filling procedures provided by the manufacturer of the filling system. f.Storage: Carbon dioxide cylinders should be stored and handled in cool, dry, well-ventilated locations. Avoid storage in basements or other rooms with poor ventilation. 4.Conformance with CGA Pamphlet G-6.5, Standard for Small Stationary Low Pressure Carbon Dioxide Supply Systems, Section 8, Inspection and Maintenance: a.At regular intervals, the user shall check the container for normal operating pressure, liquid carbon dioxide contents, audible leaks or any other evidence of system malfunctions. b.The entire system shall be inspected by a qualified person at least once a year. Mechanical damage, corrosion, abnormal frost spots, leaks or any unsafe condition noted shall be corrected promptly or the system shall be taken out ofservice until corrected. c.Systems shall be maintained by qualified personnel in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. 5.Conformance with the Air Liquide Cardox Carbon Dioxide Cylinder Filling Unit Operations and Service Manual, Section V, Properties of Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide is nonflammable, colorless, odorless, and non-corrosive. Carbon dioxide gas is approximately one and one-half times heavier than air and does not diffuse readily; therefore, ventilation is very important where carbon dioxide is being used to avoid danger to personnel. Carbon dioxide gas: Appropriate warning signs should be affixed outside of those areas where high concentrations of carbon dioxide may accumulate. Suggested wording for such a sign is "Caution, Carbon Dioxide Gas, Ventilate Before Entering, A high Carbon Dioxide Gas Concentration May Occur In This Area And May Cause Suffocation". *** Certification and Documentation of Abatement Required ***