Permit Required Confined Spaces

On July 25, 2012, OSHA issued to Respondent a three item serious citation and a one item willful citation and notification of penalty (citation). The serious citation items allege that, on or about February 6, 2012: Respondent did not maintain a standard railing adjacent to batch plant sand bins that are permit-required confined spaces, in…...

We try to stress in our PRCS Entry and Rescue courses that it is almost always easier to get into a small opening than it is to exit that same opening.  Many variables at play during an entry make this a fact, and this video does an excellent job showing how egress can be a…...

A 51-year-old worker was fatally injured when he became engulfed in flowing grain in a railcar load-out elevator. On March 15, 2014, the incident occurred when the worker attempted to remove a jam from a chute while the auger operated. OSHA has cited the company for one willful, two repeat and eight serious safety violations,…...

In 2012, Oregon OSHA adopted OAR 437-002-0146. That rule was initiated to address confined space hazards for the construction industry, as the previous rule, OAR 437-002-1910.146, did not apply to the construction industry. The goal in this process was to draft a rule that was significantly less confusing than the current rule, address shortcomings with the…...

On September 6, 2010, a 51-year-old male volunteer fire fighter (victim) died after being overcome by low oxygen and sewer gases while climbing down into a sewer manhole in an attempt to rescue a village utility worker. The utility worker had entered the manhole to investigate a reported sewer problem and was overcome by low…...

This incident is a PERFECT example of how work within the space can CREATE its own HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE!  This tank was sitting in a lay-down yard and had been painted on the inside.  Not sure if it was a “new” tank or one that was being reworked, but nonetheless it was NOT attached to a…...

Cal/OSHA cited an industrial service provider following an investigation of a flash fire inside a metal tank that resulted in serious burns to an industrial painter. Cal/OSHA cited the employer for knowingly using an unauthorized electric lamp while the painter was working in an explosive atmosphere, for not having a permit to work in a…...

Several fatalities have occurred from off-gassing or oxygen depletion in storing wood pellets and chips. The use of these fuels is increasing rapidly in some parts of the world, so we bring these papers together and make them free to access to help publicize this problem. Simply click on the titles below to read the…...

This case is especially sad (or disgusting)… the company was cited a Willful in 2012 regarding a failed rescue attempt when a 37-year-old supervisor was nearly buried alive in a 25-foot silo containing 50,000 pounds of sand.  Plant employees allegedly attempted to rescue the supervisor after he became engulfed in a sand bin and suffered…...