Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 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: (a) On 07-23-91, an employee entered a utilities vault (entrance ramp from Baseline Rd. to northbound 28th St., Boulder, CO) while attempting to locate and identify underground pipes. The company's confined space entry program was deficient in that: 1. A confined space entry permit system, was not in place. 2. The employees were not trained in the hazards associated with entering confined spaces or with the methods that they could use to minimize these hazards. 3. Atmoshperic testing for oxygen deficiency, flammable gas, and air contaminants was not conducted prior to entering confined spaces. 4. Mechanical ventilation was not used to purge the confined space of dangerous atmospheric contaminants and to maintain a supply of fresh air. 5. An emergency response rescue program was not developed or implemented. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to abate these hazards is to develope and implement a confied space entry program which meets the criteria of Safety Requirements For Confined Spaces, American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z117.1-1989). The following section of ANSI Z117.1-1989 may be referred to for specific methods to correct the hazards: 1. Scope, Purpose, and Application 1.1 Scope 1.2 Purpose 1.3 Application 2. Definitions 3. Identification and Evaluation 3.1 Confined Space Survey 3.2 Hazard Identification 3.3 Hazard Evaluation 3.4 Confined Space Classification 3.5 Hazard Re-evaluation 4. Non-Permit Confined Space (NPCS) 4.1 Controls 4.2 Training 4.3 Re-evaluation 4.4 Atmoshperic Testing 5. Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS) 5.1 Entry Permits 5.2 Permit Implementation 5.3 Duration of Permits 5.4 Revoking Permits 5.5 Changing Work Conditions 6. Atmospheric Testing 6.1 Requirements 6.2 Testing Considerations 6.3 Acceptable Limits 7. Attendant 7.1 Attendant Position 7.2 Personnel Requirements 7.3 Attendant/Occupant Communication 7.4 Duties 8. Isolation and Lockout/Tagout 8.1 General 8.2 Isolation 8.3 Lockout/Tagout 9. Ventilation 9.1 Requirements 10. Cleaning/Decontamination 10.1 Extent 10.2 Method 11. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 11.1 General 11.2 Selection 12. Safeguards 12.1 Entry and Exit 12.2 Retrieval Equipment 12.3 Fall Protection 12.4 Electrical Equipment 13. Warning Sign and Symbols 13.1 Identification 14. Emergency Response 14.1 Emergency Response Plan 14.2 Breathing Equipment 14.3 Rescue Equipment Inspection 15. Training 15.1 General Requirements 15.2 Training for Atmospheric Monitoring Personnel 15.3 Training for Attendants 15.4 Training for Emergency Response Personnel 15.5 Verification of Training 16. Medical Suitability 17. Contractors 17.1 Hazard Warning 17.2 Identification of Rescue Responder