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 hazard of asphyxiation from oxygen deficient atmospheres and/or accumulations of toxic gases/vapors when working in confined spaces without observing safe entry procedures: a) Springton Pointe Woods, 319 Arthur Court, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania - On July 9, 2004 two employees entered into a sewer manhole under construction and were rendered unconscious by oxygen deficient and carbon dioxide containing atmospheres, and subsequently died. Two other employees entered into the sewer manhole to perform rescue operations. All four employees did not observe any safe entry procedures and the employer did not have in place appropriate procedures, permit system, equipment and provisions for confined space entry work, including the unavailability of air monitoring instruments, mechanical ventilation, respiratory protection, and rescue considerations. b) Valley Forge, Chester County, Pennsylvania - The employer did not develop or implement confined space entry procedures and permit entry system or have available appropriate air testing, ventilation, respiratory protection, and rescue equipment for workers who entered into active sewer manholes to conduct sewer repair activities as part of a service contract agreement and were potentially exposed to oxygen deficient or toxic atmospheres. ABATEMENT NOTE: AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT A CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE, INC. STANDARD KNOWN AS ANSI Z117.1 OR OSHA STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.146. NOTE: ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED