Has a confined space safe entry permit been issued by the employer before each confined space is entered?
No confined space entry permit was issued for the victim’s entry into the valve vault. Police detectives entered the property, and later the valve vault, without obtaining a safe entry permit or notifying on-duty waterworks personnel of their presence or plans. 3. Are confined spaces posted with warning signs, and are confined space entry procedures posted where they will be noticed by employees and others (e.g., police)? 4. If entry is to be made, has the air quality in the confined space been tested for safety based on the following criteria: • Oxygen supply at least 19.5% • Flammable range less than 10% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) • Absence of toxic air contaminants? [Note: Methane gas has a LEL of 5%. The LEL is the lowest atmospheric concentration of a gas or vapor which will result in an explosion if sufficient oxygen and an ignition source are present. Average methane readings during the investigation period were 1.75% (over three times the 10% LEL criteria level), and th
