Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001A 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 the hazard of potentially toxic and/or oxygen deficient atmospheres and physical hazards such as falls and/or converging surfaces when entering confined spaces such as, but not limited to, cupolas, dust collectors, furnace pits, scrubber, venturi, crossover, quencher, and silos. Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent exposures to these hazards as follows: The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for injury resulting from an accident. 1. Atmospheric testing prior to entry into these areas did not extend to include the entire portion(s) of the space to be occupied. 2. Standby attendants, when provided, were not required to remain immediately outside the confined space and remain in constant twoway communication with entrants. 3. Ventilating equipment was not made available to employees to use where atmospheric testing indicates that levels of oxygen, flammability, or toxicity are not within acceptable limits. 4. A mechanical device was not available to retrieve personnel from vertical type confined spaces greater that five feet in depth such as, but not limited to, silos, furnace pits(s), and sewers. 5. Fall arresting systems were not worn by personnel entering the quencher from the cupola charge deck. 6. The written confined space program did not contain provisions to conduct a timely rescue for individuals in confined spaces should an emergency arise. 7. Personnel responsible for supervising, planning, and entering confined spaces were not adequately trained on their functional duties. Training did not include discussion of specific hazards associated with each location and operation, proper use and limitations of personal protective equipment required, explanation of permit system, how to respond to emergencies. 8. No rescue procedures were implemented. 9. Effective means to summon rescuers in a timely manner was not provided. 10. No training was provided on emergency rescue, use of emergency equipment, first aid, and CPR. 11. Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of employee training was not conducted by qualified person(s). Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct these hazards is to modify the company's existing confined space entry program, dated 1992, applicable portions of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z117.1-1989 "Safety Requirements For Confined Spaces," and to fully implement and enforce this program. Such a program shall include, as a minimum, the following elements: 1. Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilations, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, and employee training. 2. The completion and posting of a warning sign and a confined space entry permit which requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the location and type of work to be done and certifies that all existing and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person designated by the employer, and necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker. 3. Mechanical ventilations of the confined space prior to entry and continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 4. Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5to 25) and absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, when determined necessary as described in (2) above. 5. Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel are available and are stationed outside the confined space with proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons entering the space as determined necessary as described in (2) above. Such equipment must include safety harness and life lines with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If entry is required for rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other appropriate personal protective equipment. Note: Under no circumstances is the standby person to enter the confined space until assured that adequate assistance is present. %% 6. Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to entry and hazards associated with work in confined spaces.