I spent several years working at semi-conductor facilities (the Cincinnati SUMCO plant was one of the finest!) and it was world’s apart from a chemical facility. When I worked in chemical plants we always used to say… “this ain’t no chocolate factory”. But when I arrived at SUMCO I swear it was cleaner than any…...
Over the past several years, I have attempted to convince the SAFTENG members that an Evaporative Condenser in an Ammonia refrigeration process is indeed a Permit-Required Confined Space. Earlier this year, the IIAR published one of my articles on this topic, hoping to educate the industry about this life safety topic. I think we have…...
Here is your scenario: You are evaluating a city water tank/tower. So you ask the following three questions… (1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and (2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults,…...
One of the questions that we all seem to get about Confined Spaces is the “service bays” at vehicle repair shops like your quick oil change shops where you position your vehicle over an open pit. Under the floor, there is a room where the technician enters via a set of stairs in order to…...
As promised, this is my follow-up to my previous posts regarding Ammonia Refrigeration Evaporative Condensers and the fact that they are Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS). In this article, I will explain the options we have to enter these spaces and what all goes into each entry option. Before we get into each entry option, it…...
After an investigation by OSHA, a grain elevator business in Illinois was cited $205,106 and placed on the Severe Violator Enforcement Program for failing to provide safety protections to its employees. A worker suffered fatal injuries after falling into a grain bin at its Grant Park facility. OSHA cited the business for two willful and…...
OSHA cited a grain, lumber, and supply company for grain-handling safety violations after corn engulfed an employee clearing clumps in a grain storage bin. First responders were able to rescue the worker. The company faces $69,010 in penalties. OSHA cited the company for two willful and four serious violations for exposing employees to engulfment hazards…...
OSHA has cited a manufacturer of steel storage tanks for exposing employees to amputation, confined spaces, and other safety hazards. The company faces $234,528 in penalties. OSHA issued 10 repeated and 12 serious safety and health violations, including failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures to prevent machines from unintentional startup, provide required machine guarding, and control…...
One of the topics we have debated about 1910.146 is whether (c)(5) and (c)(7) entry methods could be used simultaneously on the same space. I was a resounding “No” but since we could never get an official answer from OSHA, there were many in our profession who felt it was acceptable to use (c)(5) and…...
This is not meant to be controversial, but my experiences over the past 20 years tell me many will disagree. I stand by this article as the SAFE and COMPLIANT way to achieve a NON-Permit Required Confined Space. This article should have been written 20 years ago, as this topic has been misunderstood since OSHA…...
Have you ever seen a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) labeled using the term “Confined Space” instead of “Permit-Required Confined Space”? Does it matter what we call them? … Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
At 2:00 p.m. on September 20, 2019, an employee was inside of a 10,000-gallon fiberglass gasoline storage tank and was draining some brine water while cleaning the tank. The employee used a drill while inside the tank and ignited the gasoline vapors, exploding it and setting it on fire. The employee was caught in the…...
