Section 408.10016. Work in confined or hazardous spaces .

(1) This rule is intended to provide protection to an employee from traumatic injury. Where a health hazard, such as possible toxic atmosphere or lack of oxygen, may exist, reference is made to Michigan department of public health standards for tests and procedures to be followed before entry into a confined or hazardous space .

(2)   When an employee enters a confined space, such as, but not limited to, a bin, silo, hopper, or tank, which contains bulk or loss material that could engulf the employee:

(a)   The employee shall be provided with and use a safety belt attached to a lifeline as prescribed in Part 33. Personal Protective Equipment, being R 408.13301 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code .

(b)   The lifeline shall be strung from the employee overhead and back down to the employee where it shall be tied to the employee's "D" ring, keeping the lifeline reasonably taut at all times. When this is done, another employee shall be in sight or within hearing distance. When this is not practical, the lifeline shall be snubbed overhead and kept reasonably taut at all times by a person stationed at a safe location who is capable of rendering assistance if required .

(c)    Communications, such as visual, voice, or signal line, shall be maintained between the person outside the confined space and all employees in the confined space .

(d)    If an employee working in a confined space must be lifted vertically to be removed from the space, there shall be at least 1 employee working in the immediate vicinity to assist the employee stationed outside the confined space, or a mechanical means to lift the employee out of the confined space shall be provided before work starts .

(e)   The supply of material shall be shut off, and the discharge shall be shut off, if feasible .

(3)    Before an employee is permitted to enter a confined space which could contain an explosive atmosphere, the atmosphere shall be tested to determine if the atmosphere is within or above the explosive range .

(4)   An employee shall not enter a confined space having an atmosphere in or above the explosive atmosphere unless involved in correcting a condition which caused the explosive atmosphere and the condition cannot be corrected by any other means and the atmosphere cannot be purged below the explosive limit. All sources of ignition shall be prohibited in or around the space .

(5)    An atmosphere which could be deficient in oxygen or contain harmful toxic substances shall be tested as prescribed by the department of public health in O.H. rule 3301 of its standards .

History: 1979 AC; 1983 AACS.