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Introduction to Confined Spaces

John Newquist CSPjohnanewquist@gmail.com

815-354-6853

Draft 2 25 2016

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June 2015• Chicago man has died after

being pulled from a silo holding toxic material Monday afternoon at a chemical plant in the city's South Deering neighborhood

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June 2015• Washington Township OH• The sheriff says 20-year-old

James Bradley Brown and another plumber were working on a septic system at a home on Township Road 254 around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

• The office says Brown crawled into the septic tank and lost consciousness.

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April 2015• OSHA - Nebraska Railcar Cleaning Services

sent two employees into the rail car to work without monitoring the air continuously for explosive hazards as required, nor providing the employees with emergency retrieval equipment or properly fitted respirators

• The explosion blew the rail car’s escape ladder off and killed the two men, trapping one inside and hurling the other off the top of the car. A third employee was injured.

• The workers who died were Dallas Foulk, 40, and Adrian LaPour, 44.

• $963,000.

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December 2014• Carrillo and the other two victims used an

electric scissor lift to get to the bottom of the tank, where they were welding.

• A spark apparently ignited gas, which exploded, Garcia said, and the men suffocated.

• They had two buckets of water to put out any fire.

• $10,500 to Best Mechanical

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February 2015• New York City• Manhole blew off• Ice and salt damaged electrical

wires in the electrical vault.• Con Edison said 600 fires have

erupted in New York City manholes since Sunday

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December 2014• The crews were preparing

underground utility passages as part of a regional railway project

• Fell 40 feet • Successful rescue

September 2014• Idaho.• Jody Taylor says his son, 19-year-old Bo Taylor,

and a co-worker, 46-year-old Trent Sorensen both died. Jody says it was a toxic combination of fumes inside a manhole that caused his son to pass out, then drown in the water below.

• "The sealant we figure is what put off the fumes with the reaction of PVC liner, the fumes reacted with each other," said Taylor Example of a PVC lining

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July 2014• Schmid, who manages the

hatchery, was working in a chamber approximately 15 feet underground and was operating a gasoline-powered pump.

• Air monitoring tests revealed carbon monoxide levels were five times the permissible exposure limit, San Marcos TX Fire Marshal Ken Bell said.

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Learning Objectives• Define "CONFINED SPACE"• Recognize multiple hazards associated with confined space entry and

how they may change• Discuss the abnormal behavior and emergency procedures associated

with confined space entries.• Understand your role and responsibilities as it applies to confined

spaces

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What The Statistics Tell Us• Over 224,000 worksites have

permit spaces• Over 2.1 million workers enter

permit spaces annually• 60% are would-be rescuers• Nearly 90% die of suffocation• More than 95% had no formal

training• They all could have been

prevented!!!!!!

Compliance with 1910.146 will save:- at least 53 worker deaths- 4,900 lost workday cases- 5,700 non lost-time accidents ANNUALLY

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StandardPermit-Required Confined Spaces

• 29 CFR 1910.146• Four revisions since was made law by

OSHA

1910.146(c)(2)

If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces.

If confined spaces are to be entered the employer must…

• Post the space and prevent unauthorized entry

• Develop a program• Assess the space prior to and

continually during each entry, including atmospheric monitoring

• Train employees in required roles – entrant, attendant, supervisor, rescuers

• Isolate the space from other energy sources & materials

• Have effective rescue procedures

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Confined Space• Confined space is space that:• Is large enough & so configured

that employee can bodily enter & perform assigned work

• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (i.e. tanks, vessels, silos, pits, vaults or hoppers)

• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy

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Which are Confined Spaces?

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Permit-RequiredConfined SpacePermit-Required Confined Space is confined space that has one or more of following characteristics:• Contains or has potential to

contain hazardous atmosphere• Contains material that has

potential for engulfing entrant

Which hazard is present here? Engulfment or Hazardous Atmosphere?

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Permit-RequiredConfined Space• Contains or has a potential to contain a

hazardous atmosphere;• Contains a material that has the

potential for engulfing an Entrant;• Has an internal configuration such that

an Entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or

• Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

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Dangers of Confined Spaces• Personnel did not recognize a

permit required confined space • Personnel trusted their senses• Personnel underestimated the

danger• Personnel did not stay on guard• Personnel tried to rescue others

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Risk Factors in Construction

• Daily change vs. fixed establishment

• Many contractors at onsite who may create problems for you

• Turnover; who is responsible to train new employees?

• Several tasks during the day

Factors increasing the health risk of construction workers include:

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29 CFR 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces

• Scope & application• Definitions• General requirements

(to include dev. of written plan)

• Permit-required confined spaces

• Permit system• Entry permit

• Training• Duties of authorized

entrants• Duties of attendants• Duties of entry

supervisors• Rescue & emergency

services• Employee participation

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DefinitionsAtmospheric Hazardso Oxygen Levels - below 19.5 % or

above 23.5%

o Flammable/Explosive – exceeds 10% of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)

o Toxic Substances – exceed Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)

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Definitions• Attendant

• Individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors authorized entrants & performs all attendant’s duties assigned in employer’s permit space program

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Duties of Attendants• Knows hazards that may be

faced during entry• Aware of possible behavioral

effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants

• Continuously maintains accurate count of authorized entrants

• Remains outside permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant

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Duties of Attendants• Communicates with authorized entrants• Monitors activities inside & outside

space• Summons rescue & other emergency

services• Performs non-entry rescues as specified

by employer's rescue procedure• Performs no duties that might interfere

with primary duty to monitor & protect authorized entrants

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Definitions• Authorized entrant

• Employee authorized by employer to enter permit space

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Duties of Authorized Entrants• Know hazards that may be faced

during entry, including information on mode, signs or symptoms & consequences of exposure

• Properly use equipment as required by paragraph (d)(4)

• Communicate with attendant as necessary to enable attendant to monitor entrant status & enable attendant to alert entrants of need to evacuate space as required by paragraph (i)(6)

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Duties of Authorized Entrants• Alert attendant whenever:

• Entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to dangerous situation

• Entrant detects prohibited condition

• Exit from permit space as quickly as possible whenever:

The alarm for Methane set at 10% of the LEL reading 57%

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Duties of Authorized Entrants• Exit from permit space…

• Order to evacuate is given by attendant or entry supervisor

• Entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation

• Entrant detects prohibited condition

• Evacuation alarm activated

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Definitions• Engulfment

• Surrounding & effective capture of person by liquid or finely divided (flowable) solid substance that can be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging respiratory system

• Can exert enough force on body to cause death by strangulation, constriction or crushing

• Trenches deeper than 4ft• Engulfment hazard: cave-in• Preventive measure: shoring &

evacuation route

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Definitions• Entry

• Action by which person passes through opening into permit-required confined space

• Entry includes ensuing work activities in space and is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of entrant’s body breaks plane of opening into space

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Definitions• Entry Supervisor• (35%) of the workers killed in confined

spaces were supervisors • Person (such as employer, foreman or crew

chief) responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry & overseeing entry operations & for terminating entry

• Note: entry supervisor may serve as attendant or authorized entrant, as long as that person is trained & equipped as required for each role filled

• Duties of entry supervisor may be passed from one individual to another during entry operations

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Duties of Entry Supervisor• Knows hazards that may be faced during

entry, including information on mode, signs or symptoms & consequences of exposure

• Verifies, by checking that appropriate entries have been made on permit, all tests specified by permit have been conducted & all procedures & equipment specified by permit are in place before endorsing permit & allowing entry to begin

• Terminates entry & cancels permit as required by paragraph (e)(5)

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Duties of Entry Supervisor• Verifies that rescue services are available

& means for summoning are operable• Removes unauthorized individuals who

enter or attempt to enter permit space during entry operations

• Determines, whenever responsibility for permit space entry operation is transferred & at intervals dictated by hazards & operations performed within space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of entry permit & acceptable entry conditions are maintained

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Duty of Host Employer• 1910.146(c)(8)• Inform the contractor that the workplace contains

permit spaces • Apprise the contractor of the elements, including

the hazards identified and the host employer's experience with the space

• Apprise the contractor of any precautions or procedures that the host employer has implemented

• Coordinate entry operations with the contractor, when both host employer personnel and contractor personnel will be working in or near permit spaces

• Debrief the contractor at the conclusion of the entry operations

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Duty of Host Employers• 1910.146(c)(8) When an employer

(host employer) arranges to have employees of another employer (contractor) perform work that involves permit space entry, the host employer shall: …

• 1910.146(c)(8)(v) Debrief the contractor at the conclusion of the entry operations regarding the permit space program followed and regarding any hazards confronted or created in permit spaces during entry operations.

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Host Employers• Include the debrief in your "Permit

Termination" procedures, as well as on the actual entry permit or the “reclassification” form.

• Have the contractor supervisor sign-off on the terminated contractor and answer two yes/no questions:

• Do you have any questions or concerns regarding the permit space program followed?

• Do you have any questions or concerns regarding any hazards confronted or created during entry?

• Provide a space for them to make comments

Duties of Entry Supervisor• Best Practice• Verify Completion• The entry supervisor should

remain for at least 30 minutes after the entry to ensure the security of the site and that no hazards remain (ex. Fires)

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Definitions• Hazardous atmosphere

• Atmosphere that may expose employees to risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (i.e. unaided escape from permit space), injury or acute illness from one or more following causes:

• Flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10% of Lower Flammable Limit (LFL)

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Definitions• Hazardous atmosphere

• Airborne combustible dust at concentration that meets or exceeds LFL

• Note: concentration may be approximated as condition in which dust obscures vision at distance of 5 ft or less

• Atmospheric oxygen concentration <19.5% or >23.5%

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Definitions• Hazardous atmosphere

• Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which dose or PEL could result in employee exposure in excess of dose or PEL

• Note: atmospheric concentration of any substance not capable of causing death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury or acute illness due to health effects is not covered

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Definitions• Hazardous atmosphere

• Any other atmospheric condition that is IDLH

• Note: for air contaminants which OSHA has no dose or PEL, other sources of information, such as MSDSs that comply with 29 CFR 1910.1200, published information & internal documents can provide guidance in establishing acceptable atmospheric conditions

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Definitions• Immediately Dangerous to Life and

Health (IDLH)• Poses an immediate or delayed threat

to life, OR…• Causes irreversible adverse health

effects, OR…• Interferes with ability to escape

unaided from a permit space

• SDS’s used to determine need for PPE• If conditions meet or exceed IDLH

values, implement Job Hazard Analysis and provide PPE

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Definitions• Isolation

• Process by which permit space is removed from service & completely protected against release of energy & material into space by such means as: blanking or blinding; misaligning or removing sections of lines, pipes or ducts; double block & bleed system; lockout or tagout of all sources of energy; or blocking or disconnecting all mechanical linkages

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Definitions• Line breaking

• Intentional opening of pipe, line or duct that is or has been carrying flammable, corrosive or toxic material, inert gas or any fluid at volume, pressure or temperature capable of causing injury

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QUALIFIED PERSON• Designated by the employer in

writing, as CAPABLE (by education, training, or both) of:

Anticipating, recognizing, and evaluating

employee exposure to hazardous substances or other unsafe conditions in a confined space; AND of

Specifying necessary control and/or protective action to ensure employee safety

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Definitions• Rescue service

• Personnel designated to rescue employees from permit spaces

• Note: rescue personnel may be industry emergency personnel, outside rescue service or combination of teams

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Rescue & Emergency Services• Rescue and emergency services

• Employer who designates rescue & emergency services, pursuant to paragraph (d)(9) shall:

• Evaluate prospective rescuer's ability to respond to rescue summons in timely manner, considering hazard(s) identified

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Definitions• Retrieval system

• Equipment (including retrieval line, chest or full-body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, & lifting device or anchor) used for non-entry rescue of persons from permit spaces

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Definitions• Testing

• Process by which hazards that may confront entrants are identified & evaluated

• Testing includes specifying tests to be performed in permit space

• Note: testing enables employers to devise & implement adequate control measures for protection of authorized entrants & determine if acceptable entry conditions are present immediately prior to & during entry

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Manhole Opening Death

• Summary Nr: 201260031 Event: 08/16/1996 Employee Dies Of Asphyxia In Manhole

• Employee #1, a laborer, and his foreman arrived at a manhole to open a mechanical valve at the bottom of the manhole.

• While Employee #1 was removing the manhole cover, the foreman was 5 ft away at his truck getting the air tester.

• When the foreman turned around to go back to the manhole, he saw the top of Employee #1's head disappear into it.

• The foreman then looked down into the manhole and saw that Employee #1 was unconscious.

• The foreman tested the air in the manhole and obtained a reading of 14% oxygen.

• He immediately called 911, and Employee #1's body was retrieved by the local fire department with the use of SCBAs. OSHA's testing of the manhole showed oxygen levels of between 12 and 14 percent.

• Tests for carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and flammable vapors were negative.

• Tests for carbon dioxide were positive, with a reading of 35,000 ppm.

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Opening Manholes• Weight can be 50-70 pounds

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Testing Protocol• Before employee enters space,

internal atmosphere shall be tested, with calibrated direct-reading instrument, for following conditions in order given

• Oxygen content• Flammable gases & vapors• Potential toxic air contaminants

Testing• Monitor for YOUR

hazards• Calibrate your monitor –

ensure the validity of your sensors

• Calibration must occur in clean air

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General Requirements• Before it begins work at a

worksite, each employer must ensure that a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more of the employees it directs may work, and identifies each space that is a permit space, through consideration and evaluation of the elements of that space, including testing as necessary

1926.1203(a)(1)

• the employer who identifies, or who receives notice of, a permit space must:

• Inform exposed employees by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space; and

• Note to paragraph (b)(1). A sign reading “DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER” or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.

• (2) Inform, in a timely manner and in a manner other than posting, its employees’ authorized representatives and the controlling contractor of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space.

1926.1203(b)(1)

• the employer who identifies, or who receives notice of, a permit space must:

• Inform, in a timely manner and in a manner other than posting, its employees’ authorized representatives and the controlling contractor of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space.

1926.1203(b)(2)

• Continuous forced air ventilation must be used…..

1926.1203(b)(2)(v)

• The atmosphere within the space must be continuously monitored

1926.1203(b)(2)(vi)

• Each employer who identifies, or receives notice of, a permit space and has not authorized employees it directs to work in that space must take effective measures to prevent those employees from entering that permit space, in addition to complying with all other applicable requirements of this standard.

1926.1203(c)(1)

• If any employer decides that employees it directs will enter a permit space, that employer must have a written permit space program that complies with §1926.1204 implemented at the construction site.

• The written program must be made available prior to and during entry operations for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.

1926.1203(d)(1)

Hazards of Confined Space - Ammonia• Ammonia leaks• Compressor rooms • Alarms• Detectors• Emergency Ventilation• ASHRA and Ammonia Industry

Guidelines need to be consulted

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Hazards of Confined Space - Animals• Insects or animals• Stinging insects in insulation

jackets and pipe insulation

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Hazards of Confined Space - Argon• Several multiple fatalities where

argon is used.• Inert, colorless, odorless. • Much more heavier than air.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Asbestos• Common Fireproofing material

used pre- 1980s• Found in pipe insulation, ceiling

tiles, and floor tiles• Must comply with 1926.1101

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Hazards of Confined Space- Biological Agents• Sewers• Sewage• Bloodborne pathogens• Needles

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Hazards of Confined Space- Burns• Burned by contact with hot

metal surfaces, such as an agitator shaft assembly, heated vessel jacket

• Inner shell of the cooker/dryer;• Hot Pipes• Hydrofluoric Acid and other

chemical burns

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Hazards of Confined Space - Carbon Monoxide• Colorless, odorless gas• Fatal at 1000 ppm in air • Dangerous at 200 ppm• Any untested atmosphere must be suspect• Carbon monoxide must be tested for specifically

• Chemical asphyxiant

• Slightly lighter than air

• Primary source: incomplete combustion of organic material

• Gasoline-fueled combustion engines

• PEL = 50 ppm• TLV = 25 ppm –• REL = 200 ppm – • STEL = 35 ppm • IDLH = 1500 ppm• LEL = 12.5%; UEL = 74.2%

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Carbon Monoxide: Concentration of CO Necessary to Produce Symptoms

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Hazards of Confined Space - Carbon Dioxide• Colorless, odorless noncombustible

gas• Heavier than air• Common in solid and compressed

liquid forms• Carbonation• Inerting• Organic decay (grain elevators, sewers,

storage bins, wells)• Fermentation (digestors, molasses pits,

beer and wine vats)

PEL = 5,000 ppm

TLV = 5,000 ppm

STEL - 30,000 ppm

IDLH = 50,000 ppm

LEL = none

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Hazards of Confined Space - Collapse• Surface may collapse

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Hazards of Confined Space - Corrosives• Acid Neutralization Pit

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Hazards of Confined Space - Elevation• Elevated - permit space where

entrance portal or opening is above grade ≥ 4 ft

• Usually requires knowledge of high angle rescue procedures because of difficulty in packaging & transporting patient to ground from portal

• Non-elevated - permit space with entrance portal located ≤ 4 ft above grade

• Will allow rescue team to transport injured employee normally

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Hazards of Confined Space - Electric• Shock• Arc Blast

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January 2015• New York City• Over 600 explosion in manholes

in the winter• Salt and ice corrodes the

electrical coatings

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Hazards of Confined Space - Elevation• Elevated - permit space where

entrance portal or opening is above grade ≥ 4 ft

• Usually requires knowledge of high angle rescue procedures because of difficulty in packaging & transporting patient to ground from portal

• Non-elevated - permit space with entrance portal located ≤ 4 ft above grade

• Will allow rescue team to transport injured employee normally

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Hazards of Confined Space - Engulfment• Flyash• Dirt• Grain• Water or other materials in the

space, such as sand or sugar, are an “engulfment” hazard

•

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Hazards of Confined Space - Ergonomic

• What is the person’s capacity to lift?

• Is lift assist available?

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Hazards of Confined Space - Falls• Ladders Falls• Corroded ladders• Catwalks• Portable Guardrails

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Hazards of Confined Space - Falling Objects• In particular, hazards are

prevalent in spaces that have topside openings for entry and where work is being done above the worker.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Fire• Flammable/combustible gases

and vapors used or brought in• Spraying• Leaks of flammables in pipe or

corrosion

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Hazards of Confined Space - Flooding• Water reservoir could have quick

entry of water• Trenches• Sewers

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Hazards of Confined Space - Heat• Train the workforce • Perform the heaviest work in the

coolest part of the day• One GC stops outside work at noon.• Slowly build up tolerance to the heat

and the work activity (usually takes up to two weeks)

• Drink plenty of cool water (one cup every 15-20 minutes)

• Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable (cotton) clothing

• "Hot work" means work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, or similar flame or spark-producing operations.

• The CSB has identified over 60 fatalities since 1990 due to explosions and fires from hot work activities on tanks

• “Note that a number of these involved explosions in adjacent compartments - making sure the atmosphere is safe where the employee is working is not sufficient to protect them’

Hazards of Confined Space – Hot Works

Danger in the Oil Field

Hot Works at a VPP Plant• Hot Work Program• The company’s hot work program consists of an evaluation of whether

the work will be open or non-open flame • “Hot Work Permits Requirements Matrix.” • Most stringent permit requirements apply in the case of open flame

work being performed in a hazardous area• Written Risk Assessment Pre-Plan, • Two management levels of approval, • A standby fire watch with fire extinguisher, • Constant monitoring of the Lower Explosive Limit and/or Oxygen levels,

and other appropriate safety measures.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Hydrogen Sulfide

Well Water, Natural Gas, Crude Oil, Sewers

Rotten Eggs

Flammable

Heavier than air

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Hydrogen Sulfide

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Hazards of Confined Space - Lack of Lighting• 1926.56 has guidance• 10 foot candles – OSHA• Really need more

Hazards of Confined Space - Lines• Isolation procedures

• Blanking/blinding• Double block and bleed• Line breaking

Tank with lines entering it

Is the line or vessel de-pressurized?

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Hazards of Confined Space - Lockout• Grinding, crushing, or mixing

mechanisms

Hazards of Confined Space - Methane

• Colorless• Odorless in pure form• Flammable• Can cause rapid suffocation.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Methylene Chlorine• Paint stripping• Parts cleaners• Cancer causing• Very detailed OSHA regs for the

chemical

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Hazards of Confined Space - Nitrogen• The 23 year old worker who died

was taking samples inside a tanker truck that held egg products and nitrogen before he was found unresponsive.

• Regulators say the company didn't take proper precautions for confined spaces and didn't properly train employees on hazards associated with nitrogen.

Hazards of Confined Space - Noise• Noise can be amplified because

of the design or acoustic properties of a confined space.

• Excessive noise can permanently damage hearing as well as affect communications regarding work performed or warnings.

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“Effective hearing conservation program?”

Monitoring

Engineering, work practice, and administrative controls

Hearing protectors with an adequate noise reduction rating

Employee training and education in hazards and protection measures

Baselines and annual audiometry

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Hazards of Confined Space - Obstructions

• Open - no obstacles, barriers or obstructions within space (i.e. water tank)

• Obstructed - permit space contains some type of obstruction that rescuer would need to maneuver around, such as baffle or mixing blade

• Large equipment, such as ladder or scaffold brought into space for work purposes, would be considered obstruction if positioning or size of equipment would make rescue more difficult

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Hazards of Confined Space - Oxygen Deficiency

Caution• Oxygen deficiency may

mean something else is there

• Concentrations could range from 1,000 to 10,000 ppm at 10% of the LEL

Hazards of Confined Space – Pipe Leaks• Connections or pipes to other

spaces, or leakage from adjacent areas or soils.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Portal Size

• Restricted - portal ≤ 24-28” in least dimension

• Too small to allow rescuer to simply enter space while using SCBA (28 inch may be too small.

• Too small to allow normal spinal immobilization of injured employee

• Unrestricted - portal ≥ 24-28” in least dimension

• These portals allow relatively free movement into and out of permit space

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Hazards of Confined Space - Psychological• These include claustrophobia or

other problems associated with being in a dark, cramped or isolated space.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Radiological• Nuclear Plants • Research Labs• Radon

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Hazards of Confined Space - Space Configuration• Horizontal - portal located on side of

permit space• Use of retrieval lines could be difficult• Vertical - portal located on top of

permit space; rescuers must climb down, or at bottom of permit space, rescuers must climb up to enter space

• May require knowledge of rope techniques or special patient packaging to safely retrieve downed entrant

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Hazards of Confined Space - Silica• Old killer of workers.• Proposed OSHA std

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Hazards of Confined Space - Solvents• Ventilation is required or

overexposure can result• Fire Hazard • Electrical must be Class I if

within 20 feet during open spraying with flammable paints

Hazards of Confined Space - Steam• Superheated steam by be

several hundreds of degrees.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Styrene• PEL is 100 ppm• NIOSH is 50 ppm• Used in sewer relining• Can have exposures over 900

ppm.

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Hazards of Confined Space - Transport• Vehicles• Trains• Construction Equipment

Hazards of Confined Space - Ventilation• Too often no ventilation is

provided• Utilities have had great success

with test purge ventilate.• Constant ventilation can dilute

air in case of an unexpected entry of a chemical

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Hazards of Confined Space – Vent Pipes• Analyze for sources of ignition• Where do the sparks go?• “Hot work was allowed near tanks that

contained flammables including those that had known holes due to corrosion “

Hazards of Confined Space - Waterproofing• Volatile compounds are

heavier than air and toxic.

• Death• Hazards similar to a

confined space

Hazards of Confined Space - Welding• Welding, cutting, brazing,

soldering• Stainless steel welding, grinding

can have a health hazard with hexavalent chromium.

• Will need a hot works program

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Aug 2013• MINDEN. NE

• A city employee died this morning from the effects of being overcome by toxic gas in a manhole Sunday afternoon.

• Robert Honomichl, 55, of Minden died after being transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney in critical condition. The workers were clearing a blockage in a sewer line Sunday afternoon when they were overcome by gas.

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August 2013• Steven Webb, 53, of House

Springs, MO • He was overcome by exposure to

methyl ethyl ketone collapsed and died inside an 18-foot-deep vault manhole during construction of the sanitary sewer lift station.

The company was issued three willful citations related to his death.

Should DOJ go criminal?

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May 2013• WAUCEDAH TOWNSHIP, Mich• Worker climbed into the 12-foot-deep well in

Dickinson County's Waucedah Township on Wednesday afternoon to make repairs.

• State police say a friend lowered dry ice into the well that was to be used in the repair, but the dry ice reacted and used up oxygen at the bottom of the well. Police say the man lost consciousness

while trying to climb out and the friend called 911. Rescue crews got the man out, but he died.

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Jan 2013 • Samir Storey, 39, was one of

several contract employees who were cleaning a 10-by-40-foot tank in the plant’s power generation area during a scheduled maintenance outage.

• According to his cousin, Jermel Storey, a “clear, cloudy smoke” entered the tank, triggering emergency alarms, which trapped Samir in the tank.

•Jermel Storey also was working on the job.•“My cousin screamed,” Jermel Storey said recently of the accident. “Nobody helped. It was like nothing ever happened.”• Samir Storey died “within minutes.”

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2010• Tarrytown NJ• Ruggiero, 47, a Tarrytown native and a veteran

public works foreman, was called in on Labor Day to fix a sewer blockage.

• Shortly after 6:30 p.m., he entered a manhole behind the Consolidated Engine Company firehouse at 177 Sheldon Ave.

• Police said he was overcome by sewer gas and fell while climbing into the hole.

• Kelly, 51, a friend of Ruggiero's who was nearby, entered the hole in an attempt to rescue Ruggiero, and was also overcome.

• Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.• Willful violations

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Motel Fatality• 2002 - IL• Worker goes to restart

pump• Passes out and dies• 5 feet deep

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Idaho 2000• Allan Elias, 61, was ordered

to serve 17 years in Jail• $6.3M in restitution• Told workers to clean

cyanide tank without respirators

• Employee suffered permanent brain damage

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Water Vault• 1995 - IL• Two workers sent to turn

on a water valve in a 22 foot deep dry well. Both died.

• Ladders were rusty• Stagnant water at the

bottom• No Attendant

Example of a water pit

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Manufacturing• 1995 - IL• Open pit 45’ x’ 60’• Argon gas had been

used instead of compressed air to operate a pump that removed water from the pit.

• 3 died

Typical Machine Pit

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Electric Vault Fire• 1992• Workers trying to dry water

out a vault with a propane heater

• Left on overnight• Lit match to see and propane

cause explosion• No monitoring performed

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Machine Pit• 1989 - IL• Pit measured 12 ' x 20' x

12' deep • Carbon Monoxide pulled

into pit from heating operations

• 2 rescuers hospitalized

Typical Machine pit

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Chemical Plant• 1989• Worker went into vessel • Used 100% nitrogen to

cool himself off• Passed out

A Mother’s View• “One of the faults of the company

is that it had no rescue plan in place. “

• “Well with my son the only rescue plan the company had was to call 911. “

• “This was deemed a good plan by OSHA. “

• “This is not a good plan for the workers.

• "A trained rescue team needs to be close to the workers working in confined spaces."

Thank You!• Google OSHA & Confined Space• One thing we learned today?• POST TEST

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Background• Classes: OSHA 10/30 Hour, Incident

Investigation, Confined Space, Excavation Safety, Cranes Signaling and Rigging, Fall Protection, Scaffold Safety, and many more

• Services: Mock OSHA Inspections, Site Safety Audits, OSHA Litigation Consultation, Expert Witness, Reducing Worker Compensation Risk, Improving Site safety

• 34 years working with top companies to achieve ZERO injuries

• Certified Safety Professional• OSHA 1983-2012• Founding Member of ANSI Z359• 815-354-6853• Johnanewquist@gmail.com