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

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(i): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions existed: The employer is failing to protect employees from atmospheric hazards such as exposure to limited oxygen, carbon monoxide gas, and hydrogen sulfide gas while entering permit required confined spaces to conduct cleaning and maintenance activities. This violation was most recently documented on or about May 4, 2016 and at times thereafter in the north feed mill pit containing the bottom of the bucket elevator legs, the feed mixer and conveyors located at 575 S Main Street, West Point, Nebraska 68788. Air monitoring is not conducted prior to permitting employees to enter the pit where carbon monoxide gas can settle from vehicles idling in the adjacent truck dump area, and hydrogen sulfide gas can accumulate diminishing the level of oxygen due to the decomposition of spilled grain exposed to moisture.