Mine fatalities 2525

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# Conclusions (cont.) NIOSH investigations indicate that workers usually do not RECOGNIZE that they are working in a confined space and that they may encounter unforeseen hazards. TESTING and EVALUATION of the atmosphere are typically not initiated prior to entry and MONITORING is not performed during the confined space work procedures. RESCUE is seldom planned and usually consists of spontaneous reaction in an emergency situation. ## Recommendations In light of findings to date regarding occupational deaths in confined spaces, NIOSH recommends that managers, supervisors, and workers be made familiar with the following three steps: ## 1. Recognition Worker training is essential to the recognition of what constitutes a confined space and the hazards that may be encountered in them. This training should stress that death to the worker is the likely outcome if proper precautions are not taken before entry is made. ## 2. Testing, Evaluation, and Monitoring All confined spaces should be TESTED by a qualified person before entry to determine whether the confined space atmosphere is safe for entry. Tests should be made for oxygen level, flammability, and known or suspected toxic substances. Evaluation of the confined space should consider the following: • methods for isolating the space by mechanical or electrical means (i.e., double block and bleed, lockout, etc.), - the institution of lockout-tagout procedures, • ventilation of the space, • cleaning and/or purging, - work procedures, including use of safety lines attached to the person working in the confined space and its use by a standby person if trouble develops, • personal protective equipment required (clothing, respirator, boots, etc.), - special tools required, and • communications system to be used. The confined space should be continuously MONITORED to determine whether the sphere has changed due to the work being performed. ## 3. Rescue Rescue procedures should be established before entry and…

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CDC The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Promoting productive workplaces NIOSH through safety and health research # Preventing Occupational Fatalities in Confined Spaces JANUARY 1986 DHHS (NIOSH) PUBLICATION NUMBER 86-110 NIOSH JANUARY 1985 ALGET Regs for Asiance is Presssting Occupational Fatties in Confined Saa ## Summary This Alert requests the assistance of managers, supervisors, and workers in the prevention of deaths that occur in confined spaces. Confined spaces may be encountered in virtually any occupation; therefore, their recognition is the first step in preventing fatalities. Since deaths in confined spaces often occur because the atmosphere is oxygen deficient or toxic, confined spaces should be tested prior to entry and continually monitored. More than 60% of confined space fatalities occur among would-be rescuers; therefore, a well-designed and properly executed rescue plan is a must. This Alert describes 16 deaths that occurred in a variety of confined spaces. Had these spaces been properly evaluated prior to entry and continuously monitored while the work was being performed and had appropriate rescue procedures been in effect, none of the 16 deaths would have occurred. There are no specific OSHA rules that apply to all confined spaces. Recommendations for Recognition, Testing, Evaluation, and Monitoring, and Rescue of Workers are presented. Other National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) publications on this subject as well as a source for additional information and assistance are also presented. ## Background The deaths of workers in confined spaces constitute a recurring occupational tragedy; approximately 60% of these fatalities have involved would-be rescuers. If you are required to work in a: SEPTIC TANK SILO REACTION VESSEL

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# Prevention Measures (cont.) ## Equipment Operators-16 killed in WA Sate, 1998-2008 (cont.) - Use the ROPS and seat belts supplied by the manufacturer. Do not remove the ROPS. - Do not exceed load capacities when lifting materials. - Instruct operators to lower the boom to a safe position with the bucket or attachment on the ground and turn off the machine before stepping off for any reason. ## Other Site Workers-17 killed in WA Sate, 1998-2008 • Train site workers to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions and to follow required safe work practices that apply to their work environments. - Make all workers on the site aware of the machines' established swing areas and blind spots before the operator works the machine. Keep workers on foot outside these areas by marking them with rope, tape, or other barriers. - Before each work shift begins, review and confirm communications signals between machine operators and workers on foot. - Instruct machine operators to keep the bucket as close to the ground as possible when workers are attaching loads for hoisting. - Keep workers outside the hydraulic excavator swing areas and clear of attachments when using the machines for hoisting materials. Do not allow workers to stand under suspended loads or suspended machine components such as the boom, arm, or bucket. - Do not permit workers on foot to approach the hydraulic construction machinery until they signal the operator to shut down the machine and receive acknowledgment from the operator. Use spotters or signal persons around operating equipment when necessary. • Never permit workers to ride in or work from construction machinery buckets. - Provide appropriate personal protective equipment and make sure that workers use and maintain it. References NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Construction Safety. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/constructionsafety/#fatalities NIOSH Publication No. 2004-107: Preventing Injuries When Working with Hydraulic Excavators an…

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# Prevention Measures These prevention measures are adopted from NIOSH Publication No. 2004-107: Preventing Injuries When Working with Hydraulic Excavators and Backhoe Loaders. They are applicable to all construction machinery such as skid steer loaders, bulldozers excavators, and backhoes. Employers and employees should take the following steps to prevent injuries and fatalities while working with construction machinery. All prevention measures are relevant to operators and workers on foot as they were killed in equal numbers and their safety is interdependent. ## Site Set-Up - Contact local utilities and other responsible parties to locate overhead and underground utility lines before beginning work. Avoid working near overhead power lines. If you must work near them, develop a plan to avoid contact. • Do not permit construction machinery to be operated on grades steeper than those specified by the manufacturer. • Make sure that workers position machinery at a safe distance from excavations such as trenches. - Make sure that workers position machinery on stable supportive ground. Wet soil or loose ground can compromise machinery footing and stability. ## Equipment Operators-16 killed in WA Sate, 1998-2008 • Train equipment operators in the proper use of the equipment they are assigned to operate. Be sure to follow manufacturers' specifications and recommendations. Continually evaluate safety programs to address changing worksite conditions. • Clearly identify and label all machine controls and make sure that the manufacturers' safety features are working. • Install and maintain equipment attachments and their operating systems according to manufacturers' specifications. • Securely latch attachments (such as quick-disconnect buckets) before work begins. - Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using positive locks on quick- disconnect attachments. • Train operators to conduct visual and operational checks on all machine systems and operating c…

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# Construction Machinery Fatalities Overview WA State, 1998 - 2008 (cont.) Between 1998 and 2008, fatalities were almost equal for machinery operators and workers on foot. Operators were killed most frequently in backhoe/trackhoe incidents while workers on foot were killed most frequently in excavating machinery incidents. Furthermore, machinery operators were predominately involved in fatal roll over incidents while workers on foot were either mainly struck by machinery or other objects. The majority of machine operators killed were not wearing seat belts or occupant restraints. Employers and employees should follow the detailed prevention measures outlined by NIOSH for site set up, machinery operators, and other site workers (page 14). Areas to focus prevention efforts are the use of seat belts and occupant restraints among machinery operators and reducing struck by incidents among workers on foot. Seventy percent of machinery operators involved in roll-over fatalities did not use seat belts or occupant restraints. Nearly 90% of workers on foot were struck and killed by machinery or other objects. Construction Machinery Fatalities by Year, WA State, 1998 - 2008 8 7 7 Total = 33 6 5 5 4 4 Fatalities 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 33 workers died in construction machinery incidents in WA, 1998-2008 4