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: On or about June 2, 2009, and at times prior thereto, at the establishment located on Highway 274 in the Highland Industrial Park in Camden, Arkansas, where employees were manufacturing rocket motors. Employees entered confined spaces more than five feet in depth, to perform an abrading procedure on the interior insulation of an Army Tactical Missile rocket motor, without a confined space permit, in violation of the employer's written confined space program. This created conditions that exposed the employees to the hazard of asphyxiation due to an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Among others, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement would be to effectively implement one of the following: (1). Require a confined space permit for entry into confined spaces. (2). Perform air monitoring while employees are inside confined spaces. ABATEMENT DISCLAIMERS: The employer is not restricted to the abatements above. The recommended abatements may not be effective in all circumstances. The employer is responsible for selecting an appropriate method of abatement.e