Confine space

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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

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# §5157. Permit-Required Confined Spaces, Appendix C - Examples of Permit-required Confined Space Programs. (cont.) ## B. ENTRY PERMIT REQUIRED (cont.) Space Ventilation. Mechanical ventilation systems, where applicable, shall be set at 100% outside air. Where possible, open additional manholes to increase air circulation. Use portable blowers to augment natural circulation if needed. After a suitable ventilating period, repeat the testing. Entry may not begin until the testing has demonstrated that the hazardous atmosphere has been eliminated. Entry Procedures. The following procedure shall be observed under any of the following conditions: - 1.) Testing demonstrates the existence of dangerous or deficient conditions and additional ventilation cannot reduce concentrations to safe levels; - 2.) The atmosphere tests as safe but unsafe conditions can reasonably be expected to develop; - 3.) It is not feasible to provide for ready exit from spaces equipped with automatic fire suppression systems and it is not practical or safe to deactivate such systems; or - 4.) An emergency exists and it is not feasible to wait for pre-entry procedures to take effect. - All personnel must be trained. A self contained breathing apparatus shall be worn by any person entering the space. At least one worker shall stand by the outside of the space ready to give assistance in case of emergency. The standby worker shall have a self contained breathing apparatus available for immediate use. There shall be at least one additional worker within sight or call of the standby worker. Continuous powered communications shall be maintained between the worker within the confined space and standby personnel. - If at any time there is any questionable action or non-movement by the worker inside, a verbal check will be made. If there is no response, the worker will be moved immediately. Exception: If the worker is disabled due to falling or impact, he/she shall not be removed from the confined …

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WORK SAFE KENTUCKY Free safety resources provided by KEMI HOME SAFETY RESOURCES SAFETY TRAINING SAFETY BLOG ABOUT KEMI CONTACT US O # Confined Space Entry ## Print a Sign-In Sheet | Spanish Version Coming Soon ## What is a Confined Space? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permit- required confined space standard defines a confined space as a space that is large enough for an employee to enter, has restricted means of entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. A permit-required confined space (permit space) is a confined space that presents or has the potential for hazards related to atmospheric conditions (toxic, flammable, asphyxiating), engulfment, conflagration, or any other recognized serious hazard. Regulations governing entry into confined spaces are specified by OSHA. You can find these regulations at 29 CFR 1910.146. Examples of confined spaces include ship compartments, missile fuel tanks, vats, silos, sewers, tunnels, and vaults. ## Hazards Confined Space Hazards Dangerous vapors and gases can accumulate in confined spaces. Fires, explosions, and physical hazards can also injure or kill an unprotected worker. Physical Hazards Physical hazards may result from mechanical equipment or moving parts, like agitators, blenders, and stirrers. Other physical hazards include heat and sound. Temperatures can build up quickly in a permit space and cause exhaustion or dizziness. Sounds may reverberate and make it hard to hear important directions or warnings. ## Oxygen Deficiency The primary hazard associated with confined spaces is oxygen deficiency. Oxygen may be reduced in a space either by displacement or consumption. Oxygen is displaced by other gases such as argon, nitrogen, r methane. Consumption may be caused by chemical reactions such as rusting, rotting, fermentation, or burning of flammable substances. ## Combustibility Fire and explosion are serious dangers in permit spaces because fumes and…

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# Confined Space Entry (cont.) ## Safety Blog (cont.) After you are sure that the oxygen level is adequate and there is nothing combustible in the space, test for toxicity. Notify your supervisor if pretests find hazards that you cannot adequately protect against. Follow-up testing may be periodic or continuous, depending on specific conditions. Because the work being done within a permit space may also change air quality, continuous testing may be needed to ensure worker safety. ## Purge and Ventilate the Space Some confined spaces may contain water, sediment, hazardous atmosphere, or other unwanted substances. These substances generally must be purged, that is, pumped out or otherwise removed, before entry. Use ventilating equipment where possible. Ventilation should maintain an oxygen level between 19.5 percent and 23.5 percent and keep toxic gases and vapors within accepted levels prescribed by OSHA. Where the entrance is large enough, portable self-contained breathing devices should be used unless the atmosphere is ventilated or has been determined to have no potential atmospheric hazards. If the entrance to a potentially hazardous atmosphere is too small, an air line mask should be used with supplied air. If there is any danger of disconnecting the air line, a 5 to 15-minute escape respirator containing breathing air should be carried. You might also need eye and hearing protection and protective clothing. ## Rescue Procedures At least one person should remain outside to summon help or offer assistance. If the employer designates this attendant to perform rescue procedures in addition to monitoring the safety of the confined space entrant, he or she should be equipped with the necessary PPE and rescue equipment and trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). He or she should maintain constant communication with those inside the space either visually, by radio, or by field telephone. If a situation arises that requires emergency entry,…

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## Permit-required confined space (cont.) CONFINED SPACE - Decide if workers will enter (an important component of entry is hazard recognition; evaluate the magnitude of the hazard and who is affected, likelihood of hazard occurrence and consequences, and the potential for changing conditions) • Eliminate or control the hazards; maintain safe entry conditions for the duration of entry • Establish entry procedures and prepare an entry permit • Train employees on entry operations and their responsibilities • Plan for emergencies Written program elements: For fixed sites, your program must include the location of all permit spaces. You will need to develop a way for employees to identify the space as a permit space; signs, labels, or tags can be used to accomplish this. Your program must include: • A procedure for issuing an entry permit • Provisions for training employees about the written program and entry permits • Measures taken to prohibit unauthorized employees from entering permit spaces - The roles of entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, rescuers, and those who test or monitor the atmosphere in the space • Provisions for training employees about their roles • Duties of designated employees ● Instructions for identifying and evaluating hazards • Methods for eliminating or controlling hazards ● Instructions for using and maintaining equipment • Instructions for coordinating entry with another employer • Procedures for concluding entry and canceling the entry permit Entry permits: A permit is written authorization to enter a space and perform work. The permit has a number of components that must be completed before entry. These include the space to be entered and the purpose of the entry; date, start, and stop times; space hazards and acceptable entry conditions; names of entrants and attendants; equipment for safe entry; and monitoring results. The entry supervisor must sign the permit. Program and permit review: Permits must be reviewed…

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# SAMPLE CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT Permit date: <empty> Work shift: [ ] 1st [ ] 2nd [ ] 3rd Expires: <empty> Time started: <empty> Permit space to be entered (name and location of space): <empty> Purpose of entry: <empty> ## Pre-entry checklist Do not enter this permit space until the following "needs action" conditions are corrected. [ ] OK [ ] Needs action Before entering the permit space, the supervisor or designee must notify the rescue team. IDLH conditions require at least one rescue team member located outside the space. A minimum of two employees must be assigned to work involving permit space entry. One employee must remain outside the permit space at all times. The surrounding area must be surveyed to show that it is free of hazards such as drifting vapors from tanks, piping, sewers, or vehicle exhaust. Those responsible for operation of the gas monitor have been trained. Gas monitor calibration tests and functional test (fresh air calibration) have been performed this shift on the gas monitor. The atmosphere will be continuously monitored while the space is occupied, if required by entry procedure. Identify potential hazards <table><tr><th>Possible atmospheric hazards</th><th>Yes</th><th>No</th><th>N/A</th></tr><tr><td>Lack of oxygen</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Combustible gases</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Combustible vapors</td><td>ப</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Combustible dusts</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Toxic gases/vapors</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">Possible non-atmospheric hazards</td></tr><tr><td>Noise</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chemical contact</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Electrical hazard</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mechanical exposure</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Temperature extreme</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Engulfment</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Entrapment</…