Confined space safe work procedure

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# 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…

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# 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…

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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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# 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.

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## Appendix C to § 1910.146- - Examples of Permit-required Confined Space Programs (cont.) 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 air contamination or engulfment. Not all laterals to sewers or storm drains require blocking. However, where experience or knowledge of industrial use indicates there is a reasonable potential for contamination of air or engulfment into an occupied sewer, then all affected laterals shall be blocked. If blocking and/or isolation requires entry into the space the provisions for entry into a permit- required confined space must be implemented. Surveillance. The surrounding area shall be surveyed to avoid hazards such as drifting vapors from the tanks, piping, or sewers. Testing. The atmosphere within the space will be tested to determine whether dangerous air contamination and/or oxygen deficiency exists. Detector tubes, alarm only gas monitors and explosion meters are examples of monitoring equipment that may be used to test permit space atmospheres. Testing shall be performed by the LEAD WORKER 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 co…

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# Confined Space - Program (cont.) ## How many people must be present while work is being done in a confined space? (cont.) Other jurisdictions describe the qualifications that must be fulfilled, which may vary in the number of people present. For example, Ontario describes this requirement as having an adequate number of persons trained in the following to be immediately available to begin on- site rescue procedures as required: - On-site rescue procedures - First aid and CPR - Use of the rescue equipment required by the confined space plan. ## Is worker training important? Yes, appropriate training is extremely important to working safely in confined spaces, as well as for attendant and rescue personnel. Hands-on training should be an essential part of the confined space training. Every worker that enters a confined space must be fully trained on the following: - Recognition and identification of potential hazards associated with the confined spaces that will be entered. - Evaluation and control procedures for the identified or potential hazards. - Set-up, use, and limitations of all equipment such as emergency equipment, ventilation equipment (blowers), hazardous energy control, isolation and lockout equipment, air quality monitors (e.g., oxygen/combustible meters) and other control equipment that will be used while in the confined space. - Set-up, use, and limitations of all personal protective equipment (e.g., full-body harness, respirators) that the worker will be using while in the confined space. - Communication systems and retrieval systems (set-up and operation). - All safe work procedures for entering the confined space as outlined in the employer's confined space hazard assessment program. - Procedures to follow in the event of a situation developing that could present additional risk to the worker or an emergency. - First aid and CPR. - The specific work to be done while in the confined space. - To work in a manner that will not …

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# Why is working in a confined space more hazardous than working in other workspaces? (cont.) Lack of communication between the workers in the space, the attendant and the emergency response team. ## What should be done when preparing to enter the confined space? The important thing to remember is that each time a worker plans to enter any work space, the worker should determine if that work space is considered a confined space. Be sure the confined space hazard assessment and control program has been followed. Please see the OSH Answers document Confined Space - Program for more information. The next question to ask is - Is it absolutely necessary that the work be carried out inside the confined space? In many cases where there have been deaths in confined spaces, the work could have been done outside the confined space! Before entering any confined space, a trained and experienced person should identify and evaluate all the existing and potential hazards within the confined space. Evaluate activities both inside and outside the confined space. Air quality testing: The air within the confined space should be tested from outside of the confined space before entry into the confined space. Care should be taken to ensure that air is tested throughout the confined space - side-to-side and top to bottom. Continuous monitoring should be considered in situations where a worker is in a space where atmospheric conditions have the potential to change (e.g., broken or leaking pipes or vessels, work activities create a hazardous environment or isolation of a substance is not possible). A trained worker using detection equipment which has remote probes and sampling lines should do the air quality testing. Always ensure the testing equipment is properly calibrated and maintained. The sampling should show that: - The oxygen content is within safe limits - not too little and not too much. - A hazardous atmosphere (toxic gases, flammable atmosphere) is not present. - Ventil…

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (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. Wh…