Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001C 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 atmospheric hazards existed. (a) ABB Inc. at 15001 County Road 46, Gilcrest, CO: On 7/25/2019, the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing conditions in the permit space to determine if atmospheric hazards existed. Three employees were tasked with disassembling a three phase VonRoll transformer. One employee broke the plane of the transformer with a Cordless DeWalt impact wrench in his hand to attempt to disconnect the leads from the bushings. The atmosphere inside of the transformer ignited. The transformer was a permit required confined space. The atmosphere was not tested before entry operations were conducted. This condition exposed three employees to a fire and explosion hazard.