Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 hazards associated with oxygen deficiency and toxic atmospheres during confined entry to perform maintenance and cleaning operations at the Aggregate Storage Silos for Block Plant, Bins #1-8: One feasible and acceptable method, among others, to correct this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry program. A minimally acceptable confined space entry procedure consists of the following elements: 1) Written procedures covering a permit system, personal protective equipment, ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training. 2) The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which requires authorization 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 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 a minimum of 19.5% and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible 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, the 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 for entry, the hazards associated with work in confined spaces, and rescue training procedures. NOTE: The abatement method outlined above is general and the employer, based on his superior knowledge of working conditions, is responsible for developing and implementing an abatement method which will be suitably protective of employee's safety and health.