Confine space

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# 1926.1204-PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM Scope/Application: This standard sets forth requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees engaged in construction activities at a worksite with one or more confined spaces. It does not apply to excavations, underground construction, caissons, cofferdams, or commercial diving. ## STANDARD HIGHLIGHTS - Programs, Plans and Procedures-procedures, measures, engineering controls - Inspections and Tests-tests - Recordkeeping-entry permits - Training and Communications-communications equipment - Exposure Monitoring-monitoring - Qualified Person-authorized entrants ## Programs, Plans and Procedures 1926.1204-Each entry employer must: 1926.1204(a)-Implement the measures necessary to prevent unauthorized entry. 1926.1204(b)-Identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees enter them. 1926.1204(c)-Develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to, the following. (Reference Paragraph (c) for further information.) 1926.1204(c)(5)-Determining that, in the event the ventilation system stops working, the monitoring procedures will detect an increase in atmospheric hazard levels in sufficient time for the entrants to safely exit the permit space. 1926.1204(d)(4)-Personal protective equipment insofar as feasible engineering and work-practice controls do not adequately protect employees. 1926.1204(e)-Evaluate permit space conditions in accordance with the following paragraphs (e)(1) through (6) of this section when entry operations are conducted: 1926.1204(e)(5)-Reevaluate the permit space in the presence of any authorized entrant or that employee's authorized representative who requests that the employer conduct such reevaluation because there is some indication that the evaluation of that space may not have been adequate. 1926.1204(g)-If multiple spaces are to be assigned to a single attendant…

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# APPENDIX C EXAMPLES OF PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED (cont.) ## B. ENTRY PERMIT REQUIRED Permits. Confined Space Entry Permit. All spaces shall be considered permit-required confined spaces until the pre-entry procedures demonstrate otherwise. Any employee required or permitted to pre-check or enter a permit-required confined space shall have successfully completed, as a minimum, the training as required by the following sections of these procedures. A written copy of operating and rescue procedures as required by these procedures shall be at the work site for the duration of the job. The Confined Space Entry Permit must be completed before approval can be given to enter a permit-required confined space. This permit verifies completion of items listed below. This permit shall be kept at the job site for the duration of the job. If circumstances cause an interruption in the work or a change in the alarm conditions for which entry was approved, a new Confined Space Entry Permit must be completed. ## Control of atmospheric and engulfment hazards. Surveillance. The surrounding area shall be surveyed to avoid hazards such as drifting vapors from tanks, piping or sewers. Testing. The confined space atmosphere shall be tested to determine whether dangerous air contamination and/or oxygen deficiency exists. A direct reading gas monitor shall be used. Testing shall be performed by the SUPERVISOR who has successfully completed the gas detector training for the monitor he will use. The minimum parameters to be monitored are oxygen deficiency, LFL and hydrogen sulfide concentration. A written record of the pre-entry test results shall be made and kept at the work site for the duration of the job. Affected employees shall be able to review the testing results. The most hazardous conditions shall govern when work is being performed in two adjoining, connected spaces. Space Ventilation. Mechanical ventilation systems, where applicable, shall be set at 100% outside air. Where po…

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# APPENDIX C EXAMPLES OF PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE PROGRAMS ## Example 1. Workplace. Sewer entry. Potential hazards. The employees could be exposed to the following: - Engulfment. - Presence of toxic gases. Equal to or more than 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average. If the presence of other toxic contaminants is suspected, specific monitoring programs will be developed. - Presence of explosive/flammable gases. Equal to or greater than 10% of the lower flammable limit (LFL). Oxygen Deficiency. A concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere equal to or less than 19.5% by volume. ## A. ENTRY WITHOUT PERMIT/ATTENDANT Certification. Confined spaces may be entered without the need for a written permit or attendant provided that the space can be maintained in a safe condition for entry by mechanical ventilation alone, as provided in 1910.146(c)(5). All spaces shall be considered permit-required confined spaces until the pre-entry procedures demonstrate otherwise. Any employee required or permitted to pre-check or enter an enclosed/confined space shall have successfully completed, as a minimum, the training as required by the following sections of these procedures. A written copy of operating and rescue procedures as required by these procedures shall be at the work site for the duration of the job. The Confined Space Pre-Entry Check List must be completed by the LEAD WORKER before entry into a confined space. This list verifies completion of items listed below. This check list shall be kept at the job site for duration of the job. If circumstances dictate an interruption in the work, the permit space must be re-evaluated and a new check list must be completed. ## Control of atmospheric and engulfment hazards. Pumps and Lines. All pumps and lines which may reasonably cause contaminants to flow into the space shall be disconnected, blinded and locked out, or effectively isolated by other means to prevent development of dangerous a…

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# 1926.953 ENCLOSED SPACES 1926.953(a) General. This section covers enclosed spaces that may be entered by employees. It does not apply to vented vaults if the employer makes a determination that the ventilation system is operating to protect employees before they enter the space. This section applies to routine entry into enclosed spaces. If, after the employer takes the precautions given in this section and in $1926.965, the hazards remaining in the enclosed space endanger the life of an entrant or could interfere with an entrant's escape from the space, then entry into the enclosed space must meet the permit space entry requirements of subpart AA of this part. For routine entries where the hazards remaining in the enclosed space do not endanger the life of an entrant or interfere with an entrant's escape from the space, this section applies in lieu of the permit space entry requirements contained in $1926.1204 through 926.1211. 1926.953(b) Safe work practices. The employer shall ensure the use of safe work practices for entry into, and work in, enclosed spaces and for rescue of employees from such spaces. - 1926.953(c) Training. Each employee who enters an enclosed space or who serves as an attendant shall be trained in the hazards of enclosed-space entry, in enclosed-space entry procedures, and in enclosed-space rescue procedures. - 1926.953(d) Rescue equipment. Employers shall provide equipment to ensure the prompt and safe rescue of employees from the enclosed space. 1926.953(e) Evaluating potential hazards. Before any entrance cover to an enclosed space is removed, the employer shall determine whether it is safe to do so by checking for the presence of any atmospheric pressure or temperature differences and by evaluating whether there might be a hazardous atmosphere in the space. Any conditions making it unsafe to remove the cover shall be eliminated before the cover is removed. Note to paragraph (e): The determination called for in this paragraph may co…