OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
June 13, 1996
| MEMORANDUM FOR: |
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS |
| THROUGH: |
|
| FROM: |
STEPHEN MALLINGER
Acting Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Hazard Information Bulletin(1) Asphyxiation
Hazard in Pits: Potential Confined Space Problem. |
________
FOOTNOTE(1) The Directorate of Technical Support issues Hazard
Information Bulletins (HIBs) in accordance with OSHA Instruction CPL 2.65
to provide relevant information regarding unrecognized or misunderstood
health hazards, inadequacies of materials, devices, techniques, and safety
engineering controls. HIBs are initiated based on information provided by the
field staff, studies, reports and concerns expressed by safety and health
professionals, employers, and the public. Information is compiled based on a
thorough evaluation of available facts, literature and in coordination with
appropriate parties. HIBs are used as an outreach tool for accident
prevention.
The Syracuse, New York Area Office brought to our attention the potential
existence of asphyxiation hazards in pits that house the control valves for
waterfall and water fountain displays in shopping malls. The purpose of this
bulletin is to alert the reader that these pits may be permit-required
confined spaces which are regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146.
An employee entered a fountain pit through a 3 foot by 3 foot opening.
He
descended 7 feet via a fixed ladder to the bottom of the pit to adjust the
valves which controlled the fountain's water flow. The employee was unable to
exit the space because he lost consciousness. A partner attempted to rescue
him but was also unable to exit the pit because of the onset of weakness. He
was, however, able to call security for assistance. A security guard and a
passerby also attempted to enter the pit, but quickly abandoned the rescue
due to the rapid onset of dizziness.
The fire department was called in to perform the rescue operation. Both
employees were rescued, treated, observed, and released. The oxygen levels
in that particular pit at the time the employees entered is unknown.
It is our understanding that the oxygen level was within the acceptable
range when it was measured at the conclusion of the rescue. A similar pit at
the same site, 60 feet away from the one described above, had an oxygen level
of 13 percent. Three out of four pits located in the mall had oxygen level
readings of less than 19.5 percent. The evaluation of the last two pits
yielded readings of 17.5 and 18.9 percent, respectively. Detector tube
readings indicated levels of carbon dioxide in excess of 11,500 parts per
million (ppm). The PEL for carbon dioxide is 5000 ppm. No flammable gases
were found during the evaluation.
This incident is not an isolated one; it is similar to two cases
investigated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's
(NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program. Both
cases (FACE 86-37 and FACE 91-17) involved employees entering control valve
pits and subsequently being overcome by an oxygen deficient environment.
The condition described above could exist in any pit in shopping malls,
especially if the pits are not routinely opened. We believe that pits of
this type may contain sewer traps as well as other contributing factors
(corroded machinery, rotting vegetation) that may aid in the depletion or
displacement of oxygen. The accumulation of carbon dioxide in pits
containing sewer traps is a common hazard in these types of spaces.
Generally, pits of this kind are confined spaces. When employers evaluate
these spaces as they must under 29 CFR 1910.146, it is likely that many of
the pits will be found to be permit-required confined spaces, especially
those that are infrequently opened. The standard 1910.146(c) thru (k)
outlines the procedures that must be followed when dealing with this type of
hazard in confined spaces. Compliance and consultation personnel should be
aware that such conditions as described above exist. Additionally, they
should be aware of the recommended procedures for eliminating the hazards.
Please distribute this bulletin to all Area Offices, State Plan States,
Consultation Projects and appropriate local labor and industrial
associations. Copies of this HIB may be used for outreach purposes.
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