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Manure Pit Safety. Manure Pit Safety. The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) 888-844-6322. Program Objectives. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will: Be able to identify hazards associated with confined space work associated with manure pits
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Manure Pit Safety Manure Pit Safety The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) 888-844-6322
Program Objectives • At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will: • Be able to identify hazards associated with confined space work associated with manure pits • Understand the process for confined space entry and lock out/tag out procedures • Know where to look for OSHA references and resources related to confined space entry in the agricultural industry
Statistics:Involvement in Farming in the U.S. • 2.1 Million farmers • 2% of the population
Statistics of Injury/Mortality:U.S. • 70,000 Disabling Injuries • 500 Fatalities (2013) • 40% are tractor related • 23.2 deaths per 100,000 workers
Farm Machinery 4500-9600 gallons. 51,150-106,500 lbs.
Units of Instruction • Permit required confined space. • Lock out/Tag out • Air quality testing • PPE & Harnesses • Other Hazards • Entry/Exit • Rescue
Confined Space Entry • OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.146 "Confined space" means a space that: (1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and (2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and (3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Permit-Required Confined Space • By definition, a permit-required confined space has one or more of these characteristics: • Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere • Contains a material with the potential to engulf someone who enters the space • Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section; and/or • Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards.
Complete Entry Permit Form • Permit must be correctly and completely filled out prior to entry. • Permit must be activated by Entry Supervisor’s signature to be valid. • No entry is allowed without a valid permit. • When work is completed, permit and evaluation form should be returned to your Safety Dept. • Cancelled permits must be kept on file for at least one year.
Entry Permits • Permit space to be entered • Purpose of entry • Date & authorized duration of permit • Authorized entrants • Authorized attendants • Name & signature of entry supervisor • Hazards of permit space to be entered • Isolation of hazard control measures • Acceptable entry conditions • Results of initial & periodic atmospheric monitoring • Rescue & emergency services • Communications procedures • Equipment required for entry & rescue operations • Other necessary information & other required permits
Conduct a Pre-Entry Briefing • Entire crew must attend • Attendants, entrants, entry supervisor • Review hazards of entry and work • Review PPE • Review procedure for contacting rescue • verify rescue is available • Complete permit
Enter the Space and Proceed with work: • An attendant shall be posted near the entrance for the duration of the work. They shall be in constant communication with the entrants while the job is in progress. • All entrants shall sign a sign-in-log when entering the space and sign out when exiting. • The attendant shall maintain the permit and sign in log for the duration of the work.
When the Job is Done: • Remove all personnel, tools, and debris from the space. Sign off the permit. • Close the space. • Cancel the permit. • Review the job with all personnel (hazards, problems, etc.)
General Requirements The atmosphere within a pit or tank shall be tested for oxygen content. Additionally the atmosphere within a pit or tank shall be tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors and toxic agents when the employer has reason to believe they may be present.
General Requirements If the oxygen level is less than 19.5% or if combustible gas or vapor is detected in access of 10% of the lower flammable limit, or if toxic agents are present in excess of ceiling limits or present in concentrations that will cause health effects which prevent employees from effecting self-rescue or communication to obtain assistance then the following apply:
General Requirements A - Ventilation shall be provided until the unsafe condition or conditions are eliminated, and the ventilation shall be continued as long as there is a possibility of recurrence of the unsafe condition while the tank is occupied by employees. B - If toxic or oxygen deficiency cannot be eliminated by ventilation, employees entering the tank shall wear an appropriate respirator. Respirator use shall be in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR.1910.134.
Lockout/Tagout • OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.147 • “Lockout” To physically insure that all mechanical or electrical systems, that can be energized or started up, or release stored energy, are secured, isolated, disabled, or rendered inoperative. • “Tagout” The placement of a device to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.
General Requirements All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic which presents a danger to employees inside of the storage structures shall be de-energized and shall be disconnected, locked-out and tagged, blocked off, or otherwise prevented from operating from other equally effective means or methods.
Lockout / Tagout Where? How?
Shut off the tractor and power equipment. Shut off the tractor and power equipment. Keep ventilation fans operating.
Atmospheric Hazards • Oxygen Deficiency • Presence of Combustible Gases • Presence of Hazardous Gases None of these conditions can be seen!
Confined Space - Hazards Oxygen deficiency can be caused by several different processes: Consumption: oxygen is used up by the person who is in the confined space and is turned into carbon dioxide. Displacement: denser materials push the oxygen out of the confined space. Reaction: oxygen reacts with other materials to make other compounds. Work Performed in a confined space. • Welding, cutting, painting, scraping, sanding, etc.
Confined Space – Hazards O2 All living creatures require oxygen to live. One of the primary hazards of entering confined spaces is oxygen deficiency. When oxygen is present in concentrations less than 19.5% the atmosphere is said to be oxygen deficient. O2
IDLH • IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH • Any condition which poses an immediate threat to the life of an entrant, or; • Would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or; • Would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a permit space.
IDLH No person shall: Enter – Work – or Remain in an IDLH condition until such time that the condition has been eliminated or controlled. Source: CDC/NIOSH
Toxic Atmospheres Toxic atmospheres can be caused by: Product stored in a confined space. • Gases released by decomposing manure. • Decomposition of materials stored. • Gases released when cleaning. • Oxidation of metals Work Performed in a confined space. • Welding, cutting, painting, scraping, sanding, etc. Toxic materials adjacent to a confined space.
Temperature Extremes • Extremely hot or cold outside temperatures can magnify the temperature inside the confined space. • Steam cleaning & working can increase temperatures within a confined space. • Humidity factors & wearing PPE can affect workers. • Attendant needs to keep watch on the entry worker & have them take frequent breaks with rest and water.
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres 19.5% Minimum acceptable oxygen level. 15 –19% Decreased ability to work strenuously. Impaired coordination. 12 –14% Respiration increases - Poor Judgment. 10 –12% Respiration increases – Lips Blue. 8 –10% Mental failure – Fainting, Nausea, Unconscious, Vomiting. 6 – 8% Possible recovery 4-5 minutes, 50 percent fatal after 6 minutes, fatal after 8 minutes 4 – 6% Coma in 40 seconds – Death. Source: NIOSH Datasheet
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hydrogen Sulfide Carbon Dioxide Ammonia Carbon Monoxide Methane
Hydrogen Sulfide Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic gas with a "rotten egg" odor at low concentrations [NIOSH/OSHA 1981]. At high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide can paralyze the olfactory senses [NIOSH 1979]. Because this gas is heavier than air, it can settle near the bottom of the manure pit. Hydrogen sulfide is a severe eye irritant and may cause tissue damage [NIOSH/OSHA 1981]. At low concentrations, gas can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, and irritation of the respiratory tract. At high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide can cause unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death within minutes. In addition, hydrogen sulfide may be explosive at a wide range of concentrations in air--4.3% to 46% by volume [NIOSH 1985a].
Carbon Monoxide • Odorless, cannot see or taste • By-product of combustion • Found in gas/oil furnaces, engines and small motors.
Carbon Monoxide • IDLH: 1200 ppm • Exposure Limits: NIOSH REL- TWA 35 ppm, OSHA PEL- TWA 50 ppm • Physical Description: Colorless, odorless gas • Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin &/or eye contact • Symptoms: Headache, Tachypnea, Nausea, Weakness, Exhaustion, Dizziness, Confusion, Hallucinations, Cyanosis, Depressed S-T segment of electrocardiogram, Angina, Syncope
Methane • Methane (CH4), is an odorless gas that is flammable or explosive at concentrations of 5% to 15% by volume of air [NIOSH 1985b]. At high concentrations, methane can displace enough oxygen to cause death by suffocation. Because this gas is lighter than air, it occurs near the top of the pit. Methane should be expected to be present in manure pits.
Ammonia (NH3) Ammonia (NH3) has the sharp odor characteristic of household ammonia [NIOSH/OSHA 1981]. This gas can severely irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Exposure to high concentrations can be fatal.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Product of decomposition Common in manure storages. Odorless, colorless. Difficult to measure. Displaces oxygen.
Carbon Dioxide • Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an odorless that is normally in the atmosphere [NIOSH/OSHA 1981]. Because this gas is heavier than air, it can settle near the bottom of the manure pit. At low concentrations, carbon dioxide can result in labored breathing, drowsiness, and headache. At high concentrations, carbon dioxide can displace enough oxygen to cause death by suffocation.
Ventilate the Space • Use mechanical ventilation • Fans • Ventilate at the rate of at least four (4) volumes per hour • Larger spaces require more ventilation • Make sure air supply is not contaminated • Ventilation air supply must be from fresh air uncontaminated with flammables, toxins, etc. • Gas powered fans can be Dangerous
Air quality Always test the air at different levels of the structure to make sure it is safe. The air might be clear at the top and deadly at the bottom. GOOD AIR BAD AIR DEADLY AIR
Atmosphere Testing Shall Be Performed: • Prior to every entry when the space is vacant; • At least hourly for permit-required confined spaces. • More frequently, if conditions or suspicions warrant.
Test the Atmosphere In this order: • Check for Oxygen Content: • At least 19.5% and less than 23.5% • Check for Combustibles: • Less than 10% of the LEL • Check for Toxic Gases: • Most commonly carbon monoxide (PEL 50 ppm) • or any other hazardous materials as determined by the use of the space.
Personal Protective Equipment Once all the hazards are identified, the space has been ventilated and the atmosphere checked, determine what personal protective equipment will be necessary. • Hard Hats • Eye Protection • Hearing Protection • Respirator • Protective Coveralls • Gloves • Footwear • Safety Harness
Personal Protective Equipment Each entrant shall use a chest or full body harness or a boatswain’s chair, with a retrieval line attached to assist in removal. Exception – Where the employer can demonstrate that the protection required is not feasible or creates a greater hazard, the employer shall provide an alternative means of protection which is demonstrated to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain.
Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user. When to use: - Manure pits or confinement buildings during pit agitation or pumping - Environments with poor ventilation creating high levels of carbon monoxide - Fumigation in enclosed areas - Silo entry that is oxygen limiting
When to use Manure pits or confinement buildings during pit agitation or pumping Environments with poor ventilation creating high levels of carbon monoxide Fumigation in enclosed areas An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user. Also called airline respirator. Supplied Air Respirator
Fit Testing Mandatory • Initially • Annually thereafter • Employer - employee relationship • If employer requires respirator • Exposure is above recommended Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) Follow-up testing Periodically as warranted to determine employees continued fitness to wear respirators. 1910.134(f)(3) The employer shall conduct an additional fit test whenever the employee reports, or the employer, PLHCP, supervisor, or program administrator makes visual observations of, changes in the employee's physical condition that could affect respirator fit. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight.
Type of Fit Testing • Quantitative • - Portacount test • Qualitative • - Bitrex, Saccharin, • Use OSHA approved fit test protocols (Appendix A to § 1910.134: Fit Testing Procedures) • Available on OSHA.gov website
Combustible Gas Hazards • Components must be present at once • Fuel (combustible gas) • Methane • Air (oxygen) • Heat (some source of ignition) • Cutting torch, spark from electric equipment or cell phone, scraping, smoking etc.