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Tragic Confined Space Deaths Lead to 10 Serious OSHA Violations

Posted on 7/21/2017 by Roger Marks

Three workers died tragically in January in a workplace confined.gif
accident involving a confined space and toxic gas. Now, the utility company and the contractor that employed the workers face $119,500 in penalties for ten serious OSHA safety violations.

After a pipe-layer entered a manhole and lost consciousness, two co-workers attempted to rescue him, and all three perished—sadly a common trait of confined space incidents.

The two workers who tried to rescue their unconscious colleague reacted to human nature: the desire to somehow help in the heat of a terrifying moment. In these moments, effective safety training is crucial to prevent further loss of life. Only employees trained and equipped with proper PPE are authorized to enter a permit-controlled confined space.

The employer in this case allegedly failed to provide training to employees in confined space safety. In addition, the company did not create and document a confined space entry permit, failed to implement a written hazard communication program, and did not properly test for toxic gas in the confined work space.

Read more: Creating OSHA Work Permits for Hazardous Jobs


Q. What is a confined space?

 
A. A confined space is a space that is:

1.Large enough that an employee can enter it and perform work, but
2.Not designed for continuous employee occupancy, and
3.Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit.

[29 CFR 1910.146(b)]
 
Examples of confined spaces include tanks, hoppers, and other large means of containment, as well as structures like grain silos, vaults, and pits.
 

Q. What is an OSHA permit-required confined space?

 
A. A permit-required confined space is a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:


1.It contains, or has the potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere (e.g., toxic gas in a sewer or carbon dioxide buildup in a space with poor ventilation);

2.It contains a material that has the potential for engulfing a person who enters it (e.g., grain in a silo);

3.It has an internal configuration with inwardly converging walls or downward sloping floors with small cross-sections that could trap or asphyxiate a person who enters the space; or

4.It contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard (e.g., exposed electrical elements or moving machinery)
[1910.146(b)]

 
OSHA Confined Spaces Training—Only $29 per student

The Confined Space Entry Awareness Online Course builds employee understanding about the hazards of confined spaces and OSHA’s requirements for permit-controlled confined spaces.  Make absolutely sure that your employees know who is authorized to enter confined spaces at your facility—and who must stay clear. When it comes to OSHA permit-controlled confined spaces, straightforward, effective training can save lives.  
 

Tags: confined, fines and penalties, osha, spaces

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