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

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 being overcome by toxic and asphyxicant gases and/or deficiency of oxygen while performing work inside of tank trailer: a) Keehn Service Corporation, 99 North 11th Avenue - employees were required to enter tank trailers to make repairs and were not provided with a written procedure which addresses aspects of safe entry or training. Observed 09/05/90. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to establish a confined space entry program which would include at least the following essentials: 1) Prior to employee entry onto the tank, employees designated to perform this task shall be provided with training including information concerning the nature of the hazards likely to be encountered during the confined space entry, including the symptoms and consquences of contaminant overexposure and oxygen deficiency emergency entry and exit procedures, use of applicable respirators, first aid, lockout procedures, safety equipment use and in safe work pratices. Initial classroom training sessions and rescue training drills shall be provided on at least an annual basis to develop and maintain the proficiency of the employees at performing confined space entry work. 2) A program of atmospheric testing for oxygen deficiency, flammable gases and vapors and other hazardous atmospheric contaminants shall be conpleted by a qualified person using a properly calibrated direct reading oxygen. Combustible gas and toxic gas indicator. This testing shall be done throughout accessible areas of the space and adjacent spaces and shall be carried out prior to the entry of employees for work. 3) Rescue procedures shall be specifically designed for each entry. There shall be a trained stand-by person assigned to that confined space with a fully charged, positive possible, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) at hand. Additional duties of the standby person are to maintain unobstructed life lines & communications to any workers inside the space. Under no circumstances will the standby person enter the confined space until she/he is relieved and is assured that adequate assistance is present. However, while awaiting rescue personnel, the standby person will make rescue attempts utilizing the lifelines from the outside of the space. Rescue teams entering the confined space shall be equipped with all the above mentioned equipment of the standby person and required life lines.