Permit Required Confined Spaces

PRCS Engulfment fatality in Sawdust Bag-house

At 2:30 p.m. on March 10, 2018, Employee #1 was using an aerial lift to gain access to an emergency access panel on a dust collection silo that was 25 feet above the ground. From the aerial lift, Employee #1 was using a two-inch water hose to spray water into the silo to remove the…...

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Fatal Flash Fire inside PRCS (Construction PRCS)

This case is a perfect example of how OSHA will use the newer Construction Confined Space Standard in a general industry workplace based on the actual work being performed. At 3:30 p.m. on May 3, 2017, Employee #1 was spray coating the inside of a 6 foot by 23-foot stainless steel tank, using Plasite 7133,…...

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Employee enters PRCS to retrieve a bag liner that had fallen into the space (Oxygen Deficiency Fatality)

On May 5, 2018, Employee #1 was retrieving a plastic liner bag from a chemical container that had fallen into Reactor CP-2; a confined space. The permitting process, including air monitoring and setting up of ventilation, had not been conducted. As Employee #1 descended a ladder to access the reactor, he passed out at the…...

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The magic of Carbon Monoxide… Chemical Asphyxiant (Video)

You are the entry supervisor for entry into a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Tank.  Your meter is equipped with an Oxygen Sensor, but it does NOT have a CO sensor.  You proceed with your atmospheric testing, as you were told years ago that as long as the Oxygen was over 19.5% that all will be OK. …...

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More limitations and “did ya know” items regarding direct-reading monitors

It seems the article last week was an eye-opener for a lot of folks!  The response has been overwhelming from many of you and several suggested that I take the “limitations” a step further.  Seems a lot of you broke out your owners’ manuals and enjoyed some holiday reading; learning that these devices have even…...

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Your 4-gas direct-reading meter has been lying to you

One of the scariest things I have learned in my career, going all the way back to my days as a FF, was the when I learned about the “correction factor” that atmospheric monitors come with. I had used these devices for years, even entering some PRCS for “recovery” (sorry not many actual rescues as…...

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My 4-part series on PRCS’s at the SW OHIO ASSP

SAFTENG members, here are four ppt files that I used at my four-part series I did the past four months at the SW OH ASSP Chapter meetings.  We broke the sessions down into:  Evaluating spaces What makes a space a CS What makes a CS a PRCS Entry options (c)(5) Alternative Entry  (c)(7) Reclassification (d)-(k)…...

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OSHA PRCS citations @ tanker cleaning company

OSHA has cited a tank cleaning company $171,281 in penalties for confined space, fire, and explosion hazards. OSHA inspectors determined that the company allowed employees to enter a tank without testing for atmospheric hazards. The company was cited for allowing employees to use a non-explosion proof vacuum in a tank that transported a highly hazardous…...

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FREE PRCS Training via ASSP SW OH Chapter

Starting this month (September) I will be conducting four (4) training sessions on Permit-Required Confined Spaces.  These are FREE, with lunch provided, and will cover all aspects of implementing a PRCS Program, with each month covering a different element.  The four elements are: Evaluating Spaces – What makes a space a CS and what makes…...

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OSHA issues PRCS citations after an explosion on a tow boat

OSHA has cited five contractors for safety and health violations after three employees were fatally injured and two others critically injured following an explosion onboard a towboat in Kentucky. The five companies collectively received 55 of violations with proposed penalties totaling $795,254.  OSHA cited a ship repair contractor, an insulation contractor, two temporary staffing companies…...

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1 entrant & 2 would-be rescuers die in H2S atmosphere @ WWTP (Construction Permit-Required Confined Space)

At 11:00 a.m. on July 7, 2017, Employee #1was attempting to dislodge a 24-inch rubber plug from a 2foot diameter sewer pipe located inside a 24foot deep wet well. The workers were outside the well pulling on a 1/4-inch nylon rope that was attached to the 24-inch diameter plug. The plug was lodged inside a…...

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Worker dies in Nitrogen atmosphere in Rail Car (PRCS)

At 9:00 a.m. on December 15, 2017, an employee was cleaning the excess oil from the bottom of a tanker rail car following a previous application of oil to prevent corrosion. The employee collapsed due to a 98% atmosphere of nitrogen being present inside the tank car. The employee was killed due to asphyxiation…. Membership...

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