Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 003 Hazard: LIFTING

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: %% Or in the alternative: 29 CFR 1910.1200(e): EMPLOYER HAD NOT DEVELOPED OR IMPLEMENTED A WRITTEN HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM WHICH DESCRIBES HOW THE CRITERIA IN 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), AND (h) WILL BE MET: %% The employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication program which includes, but is not limited to: confined space entry procedures to protect employees from the hazards of Asphyxia, combustible gases and other hazards of confined spaces when they are required to enter manholes in the performance of their duties. %% Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to develop standard procedures for safe entry which includes, but are not limited to: A. Entry into confined space shall be by permit only. 1. Permit shall carry the date of entry and authorized duration of the entry. 2. Permit shall be specific for the location and the type of work to be accomplished. 3. Permit shall also include: a. Measures taken to control potential hazards b. Personnel protective equipment required. c. Atmospheric testing equipment with the procedures needed for operation and interpretation of the data. d. Acceptable environmental conditions. e. Personnel training rewuirements f. Designation of trained and authorized entrants and standby personnel g. Communication procedures h. Emergency procedures: Emergency telephone numbers Location of first aid kit B. Personnel shall be equipped with: a. Safety harness b. Safety line or (equivalent retrieval gear to rescue personnel from the hazardous atmospheres.) C. Standby personnel with suitable self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). These personnel shall be located nearest the fresh air base for emergency rescue. Communications shall be maintained between all personnel present. D. Entry into the confined space shall be prohibited until initial monitoring of the atmosphere has been accomplished. The monitoring shall include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1. Oxygen content 2. Toxic substance levels 3. Flammable gases, 1% lower explosive level E. All entrances to the confined apaces hasll be posted. signs shall include: 1. Danger 2. Confined space 3. Entry by permit only F. Emergency procedures including: 1. Telephone numbers for: a. Fire department b. Police department c. Emergency medical services shall be posted conspicuously within the immediate area of the confined space(s) or at the radio/telephone from which emergency help would be summoned. G. Employees shall review the guidelines for safe entry and emergency exit procedures before entering confined spaces. Guidelines shall address the following: a. Atmospheric testing (within confined space) b. Purging and ventilation c. Isolation/lockout/tagout (if applicable) d. Gas source disconnection (if applicable) e. Cleaning f. Equipment and tools required to perform the assignment H. Appropriate equipment shall be selected including, but not limited to: a. Precautionary equipment 1. Ventilation equipment (explosion proof) 2. Purging equipment (explosion proof) 3. Non-sparking tools 4. Monitoring equipment for atmospheric testing 5. Motion detectors 6. Barricade(s) and other warning devicce(s) 7. Lighting device(s) (explosion proof) b. Respiratory equipment 1. Supplied air respirator(s) (SCBA's) 2. Escape respirator(s) 3. Air line respirator(s) c. Rescue equipment 1. Safety body harness 2. Wristlets 3. Safety Life line(s) 4. Mechanical lifting device(s) 5. Fire extinguishing equipment 6. Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's) 7. Air monitoring equipment