Are respirators required in a confined space?
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Rosie's answer
Published by SALUSYes, respirators may be required in a confined space, especially if a safe atmosphere cannot be maintained through ventilation alone [1]. Here's a breakdown:
- Hazardous Atmosphere: If a hazardous atmosphere exists or is likely to exist, ventilation and purging should be performed before entry [2]. If this is impractical or ineffective, respiratory protective equipment is required [2].
- Specific Hazards: Respirators are needed if airborne concentrations of substances exceed permissible limits, or if there's oxygen deficiency or enrichment [1].
- IDLH Conditions: For Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) atmospheres, specific respirators like a full facepiece pressure demand SCBA or a combination supplied-air respirator with an auxiliary self-contained air supply are required 12, 19.
- Emergency Situations: Responders entering confined spaces for rescue must have appropriate respiratory protection, especially if calibrated direct-reading instruments are unavailable and the situation is assumed to be IDLH 1, 7.
It's also important to remember that if welding, cutting, or heating in a confined space, and sufficient ventilation can't be achieved without blocking access, air line respirators are required [3].
Sources used for this answer
[1] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (Construction, Division 3, OSHA Oregon)
Page 434
Open source documentSource excerpt
Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## VENTILATION & PROTECTION IN WELDING, CUTTING, & HEATING J <!-- image --> ## §1926.353 Ventilation and Protection in Welding, Cutting, and Heating. - (a) Mechanical ventilation. For purposes of this section, mechanical ventilation shall meet the following requirements: - (1) Mechanical ventilation shall consist of either general mechanical ventilation systems or local exhaust systems. - (2) General mechanical ventilation shall be of sufficient capacity and so arranged as to produce the number of air changes necessary to maintain welding fumes and smoke within safe limits, as defined in Subpart D of this part. - (3) Local exhaust ventilation shall consist of freely movable hoods intended to be placed by the welder or burner as close as practicable to the work. This system shall be of sufficient capacity and so arranged as to remove fumes and smoke at the source and keep the concentration of them in the breathing zone within safe limits as defined in Subpart D of this part. - (4) Contaminated air exhausted from a working space shall be discharged into the open air or otherwise clear of the source of intake air. - (5) All air replacing that withdrawn shall be clean and respirable. - (6) Oxygen shall not be used for ventilation purposes, comfort cooling, blowing dust from clothing, or for cleaning the work area. ## (b) Welding, cutting, and heating in confined spaces. - (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, and paragraph (c)(2) of this section, either general mechanical or local exhaust ventilation meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section shall be provided whenever welding, cutting, or heating is performed in a confined space. - (2) When sufficient ventilation cannot be obtained without blocking the means of access, employees in the confined space shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of Subpar…
[2] Occupational Health and Safety Code
Page 68
Open source documentSource excerpt
## Ventilation and purging - 53 (1) If the atmospheric testing under section 52 identifies that a hazardous atmosphere exists or is likely to exist in a confined space, an employer must ensure that the confined space is ventilated, purged or both before a worker enters the confined space. - 53 (2) If ventilating or purging a confined space is impractical or ineffective in eliminating a hazardous atmosphere, the employer must ensure that a worker who enters the confined space uses personal protective equipment appropriate for the conditions within the confined space. - 53 (3) If mechanical ventilation is needed to maintain a safe atmosphere in a confined space during the work process, an employer must ensure it is provided and operated as needed. - 53 (4) If mechanical ventilation is required to maintain a safe atmosphere in the confined space, the employer must ensure that - (a) the ventilation system incorporates a method of alerting workers to a failure of the system so that workers have sufficient time to safely leave the confined space, and - (b) all workers within the confined space have received training in the evacuation procedures to be used in the event of a ventilation system failure. - 53 (5) All workers must evacuate a confined space or use an alternative means of protection if a ventilation system fails. ## Inerting 54 (1) An employer must ensure that a confined space is inerted if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate an explosive or flammable atmosphere within the confined space through another means. - 54 (2) If a confined space is inerted, an employer must ensure that - (a) every worker entering the confined space is equipped with supplied air respiratory protective equipment that complies with Part 18, - (b) all ignition sources are controlled, and - (c) the atmosphere within the confined space stays inerted while workers are inside. ## Emergency response - 55 (1) An employer must ensure that a worker does not enter or remain in a con…
[3] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)
Page 152
Open source documentSource excerpt
## 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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