CONFINED SPACE ENTRY IN THE WASTEWATER INDUSTRY Confined spaces can be deadly.  Each year, many people are seriously injured or killed while working or attempting to rescue those in confined spaces across a wide range of industries. The term “permit-required confined space” is defined by OSHA as possessing one or more of the following characteristics: Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere Has walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward and taper into a smaller area that could trap or asphyxiate an entrant Contains other recognized safety or health hazards, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires or heat stress In the wastewater maintenance industry, there are many situations that can require confined space entry, most commonly when structures have limited or no means of ingress or egress such as wet wells, digesters, or aeration basins with high tank walls.  The removal of rag material from wastewater structures is another circumstance where confined space entry is most likely required during maintenance routines. Dangers of confined spaces within wastewater infrastructure can include: Lack of oxygen Poisonous gases, fumes or vapors Liquids, solids or gases that can suddenly fill the space or release gases into it Lack of buoyancy due to density of liquid Fires and explosions from flammable vapors and excess oxygen Hot conditions leading to a dangerous increase in body temperature USST’s Combination3® truck is equipped with a 49-foot extendable crane which allows crew to access material that may be hard to reach over high tank walls or deep wet wells without the need for additional equipment while reducing the amount of confined space work. “When our solution reduces the amount of confined space entry required and gets the job done, everybody wins,” says USST’s CEO, Denver J. Stutler, Jr.  “Less risk taken is always safer.” Because of the capabilities of our patented Combination3® technology, potentially dangerous environments such as headworks, tanks, or manholes do not require confined space entry, reducing liabilities and costs for both ourselves and the customer. All USST crew members have completed more than 80(+) hours of safety compliance and participate in continuous on-the-job training. “Every USST crew member goes through extensive confined space entry training.  Proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment is always used when confined space entry is necessary,” confirms Paul Del Favero, Field Supervisor at USST.  “Our confined space entry consists of a six-point harness, gas