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 free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Employees were required to enter new and existing sewer lines through manholes without prior characterization of the environment for safety and health hazards. Hazards which could have existed include exposure to explosive and/or toxic atmosphere, oxygen deficiencies, and physical hazards due to the configuration of the space. On or about May 17, 2006, and at times prior thereto, at the worksite located at Rufe Snow at Reeves Street, Fort Worth, Texas: An employee was required to enter a manhole without prior atmospheric monitoring. The employee was potentially exposed to an oxygen deficient atmosphere. One feasible means of abating this hazard would be to utilize the atmoshperic testing protocol contained in (1) the employer's Safety, Health and Accident Prevention Plan and Employee Handbook, (2) NUCA's Confined Space Entry Manuel, and/or (3) ANSI Z117.1.