Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: CONFINED

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: Mid-Plains Insulation, Inc. - Offutt Air Force Base - Echo Flightline Vaults and Tunnel - 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 potentially exposed to recognized hazards associated with confined spaces, including, but not limited to fires from ignited combustible gases, employee exposure to oxygen deficient atmospheres, and to toxic gases from storm sewer overflow. 1) Atmospheric testing was not conducted for employee confined space entry into the Echo flightline tunnel during 13 of the 21 days worked. 2) Initial entry into the 420 foot long tunnel was not performed as a permit required confined space entry. 3) A hazard re-evaluation of a space classified as non-permit required space was not conducted after an adjacent storm sewer overflowed into the flightline tunnel on 9/11/2006 and 9/21/2006. 4) Multi-gas meter used for atmospheric testing was not sensitivity tested before each days use per manufacturers instruction manual. 5) Documented tunnel atmospheric testing results for the 8 days monitored indicated oxygen levels ranging from 19.0to 19.6 Feasible means of abatement may include but are not limited to the following: A) Conduct atmospheric testing as outlined in Section 6 of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z117.1-2003. B) Ensure that testing is conducted in a manner that represents the atmosphere throughout the confined space as outlined in Section 6.2 of ANSI 117.1-2003. When personnel must enter the confined space to complete appropriate atmospheric testing, the space shall be treated as a permit required confined space as outlined in Section 6.2.1 and Sections 7 through 17 of ANSI 117.1-2003. C) Confined spaces classified as non permit required shall be re-evaluated before entry when any change in condition introduces new hazards to the space as outlined in Section 4.3.1 of ANSI 117.1-2003. D) Instruments used for direct read atmospheric monitoring should be calibrated and sensitivity or bump tested before each usage as outlined in Section 6.1.6 of ANSI 117.1- 2003 and according to manufacturers recommendations. E) Ensure that the atmosphere of confined spaces are within acceptable limits before entry including oxygen levels between 19.5to 23.5as outlined in Section 6.3 of ANSI 117.1-2003. Abatement certification is required for this violation. The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.