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

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 of asphyxiation: (a)While working in and/or near open sewage, the employer did not perform atmospheric testing continuously to determine if employees are exposed to atmospheric hazards associated with oxygen deficiency, flammability/combustibility and toxicity. On October 12, 2010, an employee was working in the area with an exposure level for hydrogen sulfide measured 235 parts per million. The immediately dangerous to life and health level for hydrogen sulfide is 100 parts per million. While ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazards rests with the employer, given his/her superior knowledge of the work place, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement to correct this hazard, among others, are: (1)Use atmospheric testing equipment capable of providing instantaneous information as to the parts per million hydrogen sulfide, methane lower explosive limit (LEL), and oxygen with the ability to sound an audible alarm as the permissible exposure level for hydrogen sulfide and/or the methane LEL is approached or if the level of oxygen present decreases or increases beyond a safe level. (2)Ensure that the monitoring equipment is worn by the employee(s) in or near the breathing zone of each employee. (3)Ensure that where the level of hydrogen sulfide, methane, and/or oxygen could change adversely before employee(s) could safely evacuate the area, provide the employee(s) with escape SCBA "Grade D" breathing air. Abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.