what are the PEL levels for confined space

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- 49 (2) An employer must ensure that a worker does not enter a confined space unless adequate precautions are in place to protect a worker from drowning, engulfment or entrapment. - 49 (3) An employer must ensure that any hazardous energy in a restricted space is controlled in accordance with Part 15. AR 191/2021 s49;202/2024 ## Unauthorized entry - 50 An employer must ensure that persons who are not authorized by the employer to enter a confined space or a restricted space are prevented from entering. ## Traffic hazards - 51 An employer must ensure that workers in a confined space or a restricted space are protected from hazards created by traffic in the vicinity of the confined space or restricted space. ## Testing the atmosphere - 52 (1) Before a worker enters a confined space, an employer must ensure that the atmosphere in the confined space is tested by a competent worker to - (a) verify that the oxygen content is between 19.5 percent and 23.0 percent by volume, and - (b) identify the amount of toxic, flammable or explosive substance that may be present. - 52 (2) The employer must ensure that the testing required by subsection (1) is performed using calibrated test instruments appropriate for the atmosphere being tested and the instruments are used in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. - 52 (3) The employer must ensure that as often as necessary after the first time a worker enters the confined space, a competent worker - (a) performs the tests specified in subsection (1), and - (b) identifies and records any additional hazards. - 52 (3.1) The employer must ensure that if there is a potential for the atmosphere to change unpredictably after a worker enters the confined space, the atmosphere is continuously monitored in accordance with subsection (2). - 52 (4) If tests identify additional hazards, the employer must deal with the identified hazards in accordance with this Code. - 52 (5) The employer must ensure that the procedures and prac…

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## S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Purging and ventilating of unsafe atmosphere - 18-8 (1) In addition to the requirements of section 25-11, if a concentration of a toxic, flammable or explosive substance is present or an oxygen enrichment or deficiency exists in a hazardous confined space, an employer shall ensure that the hazardous confined space is: - (a) purged and ventilated before a worker is allowed to enter the space, so that: - (i) any hazard associated with a toxic, flammable or explosive substance is reduced to the extent that is possible or eliminated; and - (ii) an oxygen content of not less than 19.5% and not more than 23% is ensured; and - (b) continuously ventilated at all times during which the worker occupies the hazardous confined space, to maintain a safe atmosphere. - (2) If ventilation is used to reduce or eliminate a hazard pursuant to subsection (1), an employer shall ensure that a competent person tests the atmosphere to determine that the confined space is safe for entry by a worker: - (a) before a worker enters the confined space; - (b) if all workers have vacated the confined space, before any worker re-enters the confined space; - (c) on the request of a worker who is required or permitted to enter the confined space; and - (d) continuously if any condition in the confined space may change and put the worker's health or safety at risk. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s18-8. ## Precautions if safe atmosphere not possible - 18-9 (1) If a hazardous confined space cannot be purged and ventilated to provide a safe atmosphere or a safe atmosphere cannot be maintained pursuant to section 18-8, an employer shall ensure that no work is carried on in the confined space except in accordance with the requirements of this section and section 25-11. - (2) An employer shall ensure that a competent person continuously monitors the atmosphere in a hazardous confined space. - (3) An employer shall ensure …

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- (a) where the level of a chemical substance or a mixture of chemical substances may constitute a hazard, tests to ensure that the concentration of a chemical substance or a mixture of chemical substances in the confined space does not exceed its occupational exposure limit under Part 2: Occupational Health, of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations made under the Act or 50% of its lower explosive limit; Clause 130(8)(a) amended: O.I.C. 2013-65, N.S. Reg. 53/2013. - (b) where the level of a physical agent may constitute a hazard, tests to ensure that the level of the physical agent in the confined space is not hazardous; - (c) tests to ensure that the level of oxygen in the atmosphere in the confined space is not less than 19.5 % and not more than 22.5 %, unless the employer can demonstrate that an unsafe oxygen level is not a possibility in the circumstance; - (d) a determination of whether the concentrations, levels or percentages referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) can be maintained during the period of proposed occupancy of the confined space; - (e) a confirmation that any liquid in which the person may drown or any free flowing solid in which a person may become entrapped has been removed from the confined space or that work practices have been established that specifically address the presence of the liquid or solid; Clause 130(8)(e) amended: O.I.C. 2013-65, N.S. Reg. 53/2013. - (f) a confirmation that entry of any liquid, free flowing solid or hazardous substance into the confined space that could endanger the health or safety of a person has been prevented by a secure means of disconnection, the fitting of blank flanges or the implementation of a double block and bleed written procedure established by the employer or similar positive actions; - (g) confirmation that a machine, equipment, tool or electrical installation that presents a hazard to a person entering into, exiting from or occupying the confined space has been locked out; and - (h) c…