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: %% (a) On or about 4/20/92 at Montana Power Company Morel Junction Site, employees were exposed to an oxygen deficient and potentially flammable atmosphere when entering the 16 inch natural gas line valve box containing methane to close three pressure tap valves during the connection of the Anaconda tap line to the Cutbank-Morel line. %% Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is the implementation of comprehensive confined space entry procedures such as, but not limited to, the following: 1) Sufficient hazard identification and evaluation processes. 2) A confined space entry permit system. 3) Implementation of feasible isolation methods to prevent entry of gas in to the confined space. 4) Training of personnel in confined space entry. %% Another method of abatement would be to follow the written procedures developed by company engineers calling for the purging of the lines through the Mueller fitting or by following the common practice of the field crews to purge the lines through vents on the outside of the valve boxes. %%