§ 3312. Entering Combustion Chambers, Flues, Boilers or Unfired Steam Pressure Vessels.

(a) Before employees are allowed to enter, through a manhole, the shell or drum of a steam boiler or an unfired steam pressure vessel for maintenance or repair, where such a boiler or pressure vessel is one of a battery of two or more boilers or vessels or is connected to another source of steam, the valves connecting to the steam header or other source of steam shall be closed and effectively blinded or two valves shall be installed with a bleeder between them and the valves shall be closed and bleeder open. Blow down valves and other valves on lines through which harmful material might accidentally flow back to the boiler or vessel shall be either sealed or closed and locked and the key retained by the employee or his supervisor while the employee is in the boiler or vessel. When lines are effectively blinded the valves need not be locked or sealed.

(b) Employees shall not enter or be required to enter the fire boxes, flues or combustion chambers of fired apparatus until:

(1) The pilot light, fuel and steam lines to burners entering the fire box or combustion chamber have been blinded, disconnected or effectively closed by the use of two block valves with an open bleeder between them.

(2) All probability of ignition of any solid combustibles in the fire box or combustion chamber has been removed.