ASSIGNMENT | BOS 4025, OSHA Standards

BOS 4025 Case Study

Instructions

Consider the scenario below:
Workers need to enter a below-ground, concrete-lined vault to repair a leaking valve that controls the flow of wastewater from several buildings at your plant. The opening for the pit is outdoors and secured with a 36-inch diameter manhole cover. The pit is 12 feet deep, and the walls are 6 feet x 6 feet wide.

The valve is at the bottom of the vault. You opened the cover, tested the atmosphere, and found oxygen levels to be at 16%. No toxic substances were detected. After ventilating the space for 15 minutes, the oxygen reading reached 18% and remained at that level.

Address the following items:
 Using the flow chart in Appendix A of 29 CFR 1910.146, determine the classification of the space. Explain how you reached the decision.

 Based on your determination, develop an OSHA-compliant standard operating procedure (SOP) for workers to follow when entering the space to repair the valve. Include the citation(s) from 29 CFR 1910.146 for each step of the procedure.

The submission must be two pages in length (double-spaced). Be sure to include a title page.

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Classification of The Space Based on the provided explanation in the case study, the workforce seems to be under an imminent danger if no proper measures are taken into consideration. Based on the provided analysis, I would classify the space under class C. The classification is informed by the fact that levels of oxygen increase from 15% to 18% when the area is ventilated for 15 minutes implying that if more ventilation can be provided, there is a possibility for the levels to increase even more. This class stipulates that the levels of Oxygen are supposed to be set at a minimum of 19.4%. Since it is possible to ventilate the space more, this option has to be thought through as a way of ensuring workers are safe. Based on class C, the space…