Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 003 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 inhalation of toxic substances, to asphyxiation, and/or to burns from chemicals. (a) Employees were exposed to the hazard of inhalation of toxic substances, to asphyxiation, and/or to burns from chemicals during entry into and working in confined space situations. Vessels involved in confined space entries would include but not limited to sulfuric acid pump tanks, sulfuric acid absorption towers, and process equip- ment in the Diammonium Phosphate manufacturing area, such as dryers or granulators. Employees could suffer eye irritation, skin irritation or skin burns, lung damage and/or death from confined space exposures to ammonia gas and/or sulfuric acid mist, and/or sulfur dioxide or sulfur trioxide. employees could also be injured during improper rescue procedures. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to implement a confined space entry procedure which includes, but not limited to the following items: (1) Instruction and training as to the nature of the hazards involved and necessary precautions to be taken relative to confined space entry. (2) Posting of written confined space entry procedures adjacent to tanks or other confined space areas which may be entered. (3) Implementation of established lockout/tagout and isolation pro- cedures, where applicable, and issuance of a proper entry permit prior to tank/confined space entry. (4) Use of atmospheric testing procedures to determine the presence of hazardous air contaminants, potential oxygen deficiency and flammable/explosive atmosphere prior to entry to tank/confined space and as needed prior to re-entry. (5) Where it has been determined that confined space contains a hazardous concentration of an air contaminant and/or an oxygen de- ficiency, use of mechanically induced ventilation in the confined space/tank before entry and during occupancy and/or use of respiratory protective equipment which provides adequate protection against the hazards encountered. (6) Provisions and procedures for standby observer located outside the confined space and readily available emergency standby equipment consisting of a safety line and harness arrangement and a self- contained breathing apparatus certified by NIOSH. (7) Implementation of periodic training sessions relative to confined space entry, rescue and first-aid procedures.