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

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3)(iv): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement means and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations including, purging, inerting, flushing, or ventilating the permit space as necessary to eliminate or control atmospheric hazards: (a) ABB Inc. at 15001 County Road 46, Gilcrest, CO: On 7/25/2019, the employer did not develop and implement means and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations including, purging, inerting, flushing, or ventilating the permit space as necessary to eliminate or control atmospheric hazards. Three employees were tasked with disassembling a three phase VonRoll transformer. One employee broke the plane of the transformer with a Cordless DeWalt impact wrench in his hand to attempt to disconnect the leads from the bushings. The atmosphere inside of the transformer ignited. The transformer was a permit required confined space. The atmospheric hazards were not controlled or eliminated before entry. This condition exposed three employees to a fire and explosion hazard.