Two water and sewage treatment plant operators, one a 49-year-old and the other a 21-year-old, died when they entered a permit-required-confined space and could not exit safely. Three employees and one supervisor were assigned to replace a bracket on a pump inside an underground pump station. The pump station measured nine feet in diameter by…...
Drowning in PRCS (TN-OSHA #24-2008) Read More »
A 49-year-old contract worker died when he entered a chemical storage tank to clean and inspect the tank. The victim was assigned to conduct scheduled inspections and maintenance at a chemical tank farm. Before arriving on-site, the victim received e-mails from the chemical company manager outlining the projects that he was to complete. On his…...
PRCS Fatality – acute heptane and toluene toxicity (TN-OSHA Fatality II #4 2010) Read More »
How often have we heard “entry supervisors” ask the following question… “Do I have to call the fire department before I sign each permit?” How do you answer this question? Does their responsibility change if there is an on-site rescue team vs. off-site rescue services? This is an EXTREMELY CRITICAL path in confined…...
Verifying rescue services are “available” BEFORE entry Read More »
Working in confined spaces can be very dangerous. A confined space is an area with poor or no airflow. Examples of confined spaces include Tanks, Bins, Covered Pits, Silos. Poor airflow allows the accumulation of dangerous gases in confined spaces. Before a miner enters a confined space, the atmosphere must be checked for adequate oxygen…...
MSHA HAZARD ALERT – Working in Confined Spaces Read More »
Since we are sharing NIOSH Investigative Reports tonight, I thought I would share one of the reports that floors me every time I see it! In March 2011, a safety manager for the government agency that inspects “dairy plants” was concerned that the inspectors were not being properly protected from Confined Space hazards, so he…...
NIOSH investigation of Dairy Plant Inspectors and Permit Required Confined Space’s Read More »
OSHA cited a tank trailer cleaning business with 11 safety and health violations, including two willful violations, primarily for failing to protect workers in confined spaces. Upon receiving a complaint alleging hazards, OSHA opened an inspection of the company’s Lansing facility. Proposed penalties total $142,100. Here is a breakdown of the citations …… Membership Required...
11 Serious and 2 willful violations regarding confined spaces Read More »
A male worker died on November 15, 1984, after entering a toluene storage tank. During the rescue attempt, one fireman was killed, and several were injured when the tank exploded. A toluene storage tank (10 feet in diameter and 20 feet high) had to be drained and cleaned. While the tank was empty, the company planned to install a…...
The infamous Phoenix FD Toluene Tank PRCS Rescue Fatality Read More »
Oregon OSHA has adopted a new rule, OAR 437-002-0146 Confined Spaces, which replaces 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces. This new standard expands the rule’s scope to include the construction industry. This new standard expands several requirements and clarifies several others found in 1910.146. The new appendices clarify how to evaluate a CS and a PRCS…… Membership...
Oregon OSHA – Adopted Changes for the Confined Space Standard Read More »
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Grain Bin Accidents Still a Major Problem, Says Safety Specialist Read More »
This is, without a doubt, the number one question posed regarding 1910.146(k). The problem is that many think there is no time requirements at all, and on the other end of the spectrum are folks like me who think response readiness is CRITICAL. OSHA has defined this response timing ( as well as other technical…...
How fast does my PRCS Rescue Service have to respond? Read More »
… Providing each authorized entrant or that employee’s authorized representative with the opportunity to observe any monitoring or testing of permit spaces. How many of us have this compliance requirement written into our CS Entry program or permitting procedure? During an inspection, the OSHA CSHO will be looking for evidence this requirement is being met…....
Monitoring PRCS Atmospheres and Entrants Rights Read More »
Here are some facts from OSHA documents (Preamble, CPL, LOIs, etc.) that I have compiled in the hopes that they may help define what OSHA means by (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;…...
Discussing the three (3) criteria that makes a space a Confined Space Read More »
