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: ...the hazard of asphyxiation, from potential low levels of oxygen; fire and explosion due to the potential presence of explosive mixtures of vapors, gases, and oxygen; and serious injury due to energization of equipment. An adequate confined space entry procedure was not developed for employees required to enter into the driers on No. 1 paint line to retrieve parts which had fallen off the conveyor. Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to develop and implement a comprehensive written confined space entry program such as that stipulated by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z117.1-1977 that will establish management controls over the work being performed and shall contain, but not necessarily be limited to, the following elements: 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 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 qualifed 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 (b) 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 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. If entry is required for a rescue, the rescuing employee must be euqipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. 6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined space. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces. Disclaimers: a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods.