In February 2023, a 20-year-old maintenance worker drowned in a water main vault that flooded during the attempted repair of a leaking valve. IL OSHA determined multiple contributing factors led to the drowning, including: ➡️ Lack of compliance with several confined space standards. ➡️ Lack of oversight and auditing by management. ➡️ Lack of rescue […]
Establishment Size: All sizesStandard: 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Space OSHA’s Data on 1910.146 – October 2023 through September 2024
A permit-required confined space (PRCS) may be reclassified as a non-permit space under the following conditions as outlined in 1926.1203(g): There is no actual or potential atmospheric hazard within the space.This means that there are no atmospheric hazards in the space, and none will develop during the entry period. Use of forced air ventilation to
Does the Standard impose additional requirements on “permit-required confined spaces” beyond those imposed for “confined spaces”? Yes.
This information should open some eyes as to OSHA’s expectations for how our PRCS Entry Programs are managed and by WHO! Take time to “read between the lines” in this information. Could your facility, and more specifically could your facility personnel, pass this level of inspection?
I came across this on the DOL website and found it refreshing, as it seems the debate still rages on about several key terms in OSHA’s PRCS standards. Here are a few that may be helpful:
At 10:20 a.m. on August 1, 2024, an employee, 53, was working inside a transformer. The employee entered a permitted confined space filled with nitrogen and asphyxiated due to overexposure to nitrogen. The employee was killed.
A 24-year-old man was crushed when caught between a retort machine and a stack of empty racks carried by a shuttle entering the machine. The victim entered the retort machine to clear dropped food cups from the inside of the machine without locking out the retort, which is typical activity at this location for this
On July 13, 2024, Employee #1, 41, entered a manhole to tape piping in preparation for pouring concrete inverts. Shortly after entry, a coworker stationed topside observed that Employee #1 appeared pale and profusely sweating. When asked, Employee #1 indicated difficulty breathing. As Employee #1 attempted to climb the steps to exit the manhole, he
I have limited experience with this method of isolating piping, but it is fairly often used to isolate large-diameter piping. OSHA’s investigation found that a drainpipe cleaning and maintenance company could have prevented an explosion at a Port Saint Lucie worksite in June 2024 that claimed a 24-year-old worker’s life by implementing proper safety measures
The contractor, 35, entered the railcar to conduct an air quality test while two other men waited outside. The two men noticed he was unresponsive and began to assist him. Firefighters determined the person in question was lying unresponsive inside the railroad tanker car, according to the department. Authorities said the man was a contractor
