Need to provide a sub contractor with a confined space program

Source excerpt

# Confined Space - Program (cont.) ## What should happen when work is being done in a confined space? (cont.) - Understands the nature of the hazards that may be found inside that particular confined space and can recognize signs, symptoms and behavioural effects that workers in the confined space could experience. - Monitors the confined space and surrounding area and is on the look out for dangerous conditions. - Remains outside the confined space and does no other work which may interfere with their primary duty of monitoring the workers inside the confined space. - Maintains constant two-way communication with the workers in the confined space. - Orders the immediate evacuation if a potential hazard, not already controlled for, is detected. - Calls for emergency assistance immediately if an emergency develops. - Is immediately available to provide non-entry emergency assistance when needed. - Can provide entry rescue only after the most stringent precautions are taken and another attendant is immediately available to assume the attendant duties Should a worker leave a confined space for a short time (for example, coffee break, getting additional material for their work), the confined space should be re-tested before the worker re-enters. If the confined space has been continuously monitored by equipment that can show the details of the atmosphere during the time absent from the confined space and this information can be seen from outside the confined space, it can be re-entered without retesting. If there is no continuous air monitoring then the hazard assessment needs to be repeated. No confined space should be closed off until it has been verified that no person is inside it. After exiting the confined space, the time of exit should be noted on the entry permit. ## What are some emergency response precautions? The detailed plan for emergency response to an injury or other emergency within the confined space should be described in detail in the…

Source excerpt

CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Confined Space # Confined Space - Program ## On this page What is a Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program? What is an Entry Permit System? What should happen when work is being done in a confined space? What are some emergency response precautions? How many people must be present while work is being done in a confined space? Is worker training important? ## What is a Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program? To manage the risks associated with working in confined spaces, employers must develop and implement a confined space hazard assessment and control program. A confined space hazard assessment and control program, specific to the work being conducted, should be written for work in each and every confined space. A confined space hazard assessment and control program should include the following: - Description of roles and responsibilities of each person or party (e.g., employer, supervisor, workers, attendants, and emergency response team). - Advice on how to identify confined spaces. - The identification and assessment of all potential hazards that may exist at the beginning of the work as well as those that may develop because of the work activities. - A procedure to conduct atmospheric testing and monitoring, as required. - A plan to eliminate or control all identified hazards. - Written work procedures. - Training program for all the workers that will enter into the confined spaces. - The establishment of an entry permit system for each entry into a confined space. Confined Space - Program CCOHS

Source excerpt

# Confined Space - Program (cont.) ## What is an Entry Permit System? (cont.) - The scope of the work that is to be done in the confined space. - Possible hazards that may be encountered inside and outside the space. - Possible hazards that may develop during the work activity. - The date and time of entry into the confined space and the anticipated time of exit. - The details of any atmospheric testing done of the confined space - when, where, results, and date monitoring equipment was last calibrated. Ideally, calibration (including bump test) would be done just before each use. If this is not possible, follow the equipment manufacturer's guidelines for the frequency of calibration. - Hazard control measures, including the use of mechanical ventilation, work procedures, personal protective equipment needed and any other precautions that must be followed by every worker who is going to enter the confined space. - Means of communication between the persons working in the confined space and the attendant. - Emergency plan, and the protective equipment and emergency equipment to be used by any person who takes part in a rescue or responds to other emergency situations in the confined space - A signature of a worker who did the confined space air testing. The signature on the permit would indicate that adequate precautions are being taken to control the anticipated hazards. - Authorization signature by the supervisor certifying that the space has been properly evaluated, prepared, and it is safe for entry and work. The entry permit should be posted at the confined space and remain so until the work is completed. The employer should keep a copy of the completed permit on file. ## What should happen when work is being done in a confined space? Use warning signs to prevent unauthorized entry to the confined space. Anyone working in a confined space must be constantly alert for any changing conditions within the confined space. In the event of an alarm fr…

Source excerpt

# PART XXVII CONFINED SPACE ENTRY # Back to Top ## Confined space entry 511. (1) An employer shall perform an assessment of the work area to determine whether it contains a confined space. (2) For the purpose of this Part, "confined space" means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that (a) is not designed or intended for human occupancy except for the purpose of performing work; (b) has restricted means of access and egress; and (c) may become hazardous to a person entering it as a result of (i) its design, construction, location or atmosphere, (ii) the materials or substances in it, or (iii) any other conditions relating to it. (3) A worker shall not work in a confined space after January 1, 2013 unless the worker has completed a confined space entry program prescribed by the commission. (4) An employer shall inform a worker who may have to work in a confined space of a hazard by posting signs or other equally effective means of advising of the existence of and dangers posed by confined spaces. 5/12 s511: 43/22 s42 ## Back to Top ## Corrective precautions 512. (1) Upon first entering a confined space, a worker shall assume the space is hazardous until the contrary is demonstrated. (2) An employer shall ensure that a worker does not enter a confined space until (a) an adequate assessment of the hazards related to the confined space has been carried out; (b) a source containing a hazardous substance leading to the confined space is safely and completely blocked off or disconnected; (c) a test required under subsection (11) has been completed; (d) the worker is qualified to safely enter and perform duties within the confined space; (e) a written work permit documenting the tests and safety precautions has been completed; and (f) a set of written safe work procedures has been developed and a worker has been instructed in these procedures.

Source excerpt

# 1910.146 PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES (cont.) ## 1910.146(b) Definitions. (cont.) 1910.146(d)(13) Review entry operations when the employer has reason to believe that the measures taken under the permit space program may not protect employees and revise the program to correct deficiencies found to exist before subsequent entries are authorized; and NOTE: Examples of circumstances requiring the review of the permit space program are: any unauthorized entry of a permit space, the detection of a permit space hazard not covered by the permit, the detection of a condition prohibited by the permit, the occurrence of an injury or near-miss during entry, a change in the use or configuration of a permit space, and employee complaints about the effectiveness of the program. 1910.146(d)(14) Review the permit space program, using the canceled permits retained under paragraph (e)(6) of this section within 1 year after each entry and revise the program as necessary, to ensure that employees participating in entry operations are protected from permit space hazards. NOTE: Employers may perform a single annual review covering all entries performed during a 12-month period. If no entry is performed during a 12-month period, no review is necessary. Appendix C to section 1910.146 presents examples of permit space programs that are considered to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section. - 1910.146(e) Permit system. 1910.146(e)(1) Before entry is authorized, the employer shall document the completion of measures required by paragraph (d)(3) of this section by preparing an entry permit. NOTE: Appendix D to section 1910.146 presents examples of permits whose elements are considered to comply with the requirements of this section. 1910.146(e)(2) Before entry begins, the entry supervisor identified on the permit shall sign the entry permit to authorize entry. - 1910.146(e)(3) The completed permit shall be made available at the time of entry to all authorize…

Source excerpt

# Confined Space - Program (cont.) ## What is a Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program? (cont.) - Development of an emergency plan complete with training and equipment in case an unforeseen situation occurs. - An emergency response system. - Reporting and investigating incidents related to work in confined spaces. - Record and documentation control. - Program review whenever there is a change in circumstances or at least annually, to identify program weaknesses and make any necessary changes to the program. More information about confined spaces is located in the OSH Answers documents Confined Spaces - Introduction and Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing. ## What is an Entry Permit System? An entry permit is an administrative tool used to document the completion of a hazard and risk assessment for each confined space entry. Someone fully trained and experienced in confined space work should complete the entry permit. Some jurisdictions require a permit for all confined space entries. An entry permit is required for confined spaces where the hazard and risk assessment determined that the measures to control the risk involve the following: - atmospheric monitoring, - isolation, - lockout, - ventilation, - safeguarding devices, - respiratory protection, or - any other control that needs to be verified and documented in the permit as required by the assessment. Before entering a confined space, an entry permit should be completed. It should contain at least the following information: - The length of time the permit is valid for. - The name(s) of the worker(s) that are authorized to enter the confined space. - The name(s) of the attendant(s) (safety watch). - The name of the supervisor responsible for the work. - The location and description of the confined space. Confined Space - Program CCOHS