How often do you test air in confined space

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# Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing (cont.) ## What must the employer do when atmospheric testing is needed for a confined space? (cont.) <table><tr><th></th><th>Section 131: Certification of confined space conditions Section 132: Purging and further testing Section 133: Response to hazardous condition</th><th>Before entry, a competent person must perform assessment for chemical substance(s) to make sure concentrations do not exceed prescribed limits (exposure and explosive limits), and to make sure oxygen levels are safe. Where physical agents may be a hazard, tests must be done to confirm levels are safe. All tests must be done using appropriate and properly calibrated instruments that have been functionally tested. Maintain records of the functional and calibration tests. After performing the tests, the competent person must certify, in writing, that the conditions tested are likely to be maintained for the time the certification is valid. The tests are to be used to determine if purging and further testing is required.</th></tr><tr><td>Ontario</td><td>O. Reg. 632/05: Confined Spaces Section 1: Definitions (acceptable atmospheric levels) Section 18: Atmospheric testing Section 19: Explosive and flammable substances Section 20: Ventilation and purging</td><td>A person with adequate knowledge, training and experience must perform adequate tests as often as necessary, including before and while a worker is in a confined space. Testing must be done before a worker re-enters the space. Record test results, including at adequate intervals when continuously monitoring. Use calibrated instruments that are in good working order and appropriate for the hazards present. Conduct testing in a way that does not endanger the person performing them. Continuous monitoring of atmosphere is required when hot work is performed in the confined space.</td></tr><tr><td>Prince Edward Island</td><td>Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations, E.C. 180/87,</td><td>The con…

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# Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing (cont.) ## What must the employer do when atmospheric testing is needed for a confined space? (cont.) <table><tr><th>New Brunswick</th><th>Occupational Health and Safety Act, N.B. General Regulation, Reg. 91-191, Part XVII, Confined Space Section 263: Testing, protective equipment, and entry Section 264: Purging Section 265: Monitoring while employee in confined space</th><th>The employer must assign a competent person to verify, by tests, that concentrations of airborne chemical agents or dust are not hazardous to employees and do not exceed lower explosive limits, that levels of physical agents are not hazardous to employees, and that oxygen levels are within the prescribed range. Verification by tests must also be done to ensure the above concentrations, levels and percentages can be maintained during the entire time an employee will be in the confined space. The competent person must use appropriate and calibrated instruments. Specific results and an evaluation of the hazards in the confined space must be recorded in a written report. Tests are to be done again after the space has been purged. Continuous monitoring is required when there is uncertainty that the levels can be maintained or when there is a possibility a hazard may occur.</th></tr><tr><td>Newfoundland and Labrador</td><td>Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12, Part XXVII: Confined Space Entry Section 512: Corrective precautions Section 515: Explosives or flammable atmosphere</td><td>Tests are required and must be recorded before entry, after interruption in work procedures, and at appropriate intervals for harmful vapours, gasses, fumes, mists, dusts, or explosive substances, and oxygen deficiency. Tests must be performed by a person who has been adequately trained in the proper use of testing and monitoring equipment. Equipment used must be calibrated and monitored according to the manufacturer's instructions.</td></tr></table> Co…

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# Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing (cont.) ## What must the employer do when atmospheric testing is needed for a confined space? (cont.) <table><tr><th></th><th></th><th>Continuous monitoring is required when hot work is being done when an explosive or flammable atmosphere is present (oxygen levels and lower explosive limits must be within prescribed ranges).</th></tr><tr><td>Northwest Territories and Nunavut</td><td>Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039- 2015, Part 18: Confined Space Entry Section 277: Requirements before hazardous confined space entered Section 280: Purging and ventilating of unsafe atmosphere Section 281: Precautions if safe atmosphere not possible Mine Health and Safety Regulations, R-125-95, Part VIII - Division 2, Confined Spaces Sections 8.29 and 8.30: Test of Atmosphere in Confined Space</td><td>OHS Regulations: Before entry, a competent individual must assess the hazards, test the atmosphere if a hazard is present for oxygen enrichment or deficiency, presence of flammable or explosive substances, and hazardous airborne chemical substances. Must use appropriate and properly calibrated instruments that have been tested to make sure the instruments operate safely and effectively. Prepare a report of results, recommended special precautions, and recommended personal protective equipment. If ventilation is used to reduce or eliminate a hazard, the atmosphere must be tested before workers enter the space, before re-entry (if all workers vacate the space), and on the request of a worker who is required or permitted to enter the space. Continuous monitoring is required if the confined space cannot be purged and ventilated appropriately, or if a condition in the space could change and put the workers' health and safety at risk.</td></tr><tr><td>Nova Scotia</td><td>Occupational Safety General Regulations, N.S. Reg. 44/99, Part 12: Confined Spaces Section 130: Assessment and written procedures</td><td>Employer must establish proced…

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# Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing (cont.) ## What must the employer do when atmospheric testing is needed for a confined space? (cont.) <table><tr><th>Jurisdiction</th><th>Legislation Related to Confined Space Atmosphere Testing</th><th>Elements (general summary)</th></tr><tr><td>Alberta</td><td>Occupational Health and Safety Code (2021), Part 5: Confined Spaces Section 52: Testing the atmosphere</td><td>When there is a potential atmospheric hazard, or when a worker must enter a confined space, the employer must make sure a competent person performs a pre-entry atmospheric test to verify oxygen, and identify the amount of toxic, flammable, or explosive substance that may be present. Appropriate and calibrated test instruments must be used according to the manufacturer's directions. The employer must ensure that additional tests are performed as often as necessary after the first time a worker enters the confined space. The employer must make sure that if there is a potential for the atmosphere to change unpredictably after a worker enters the confined space, the atmosphere is continuously monitored.</td></tr><tr><td>British Columbia</td><td>Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part 9: Confined Spaces Section 9.1: Definitions (clean respirable air, high hazard atmosphere, low hazard atmosphere, moderate hazard atmosphere) Section 9.25: Testing the atmosphere Section 9.26: Procedures and equipment</td><td>OHS Regulations: The employer must make sure the atmosphere in a confined space is tested according to the regulation. Pre-entry testing must be done as specified in written work procedures, and completed not more than 20 minutes before a worker enters a confined space. When all workers have vacated the confined space for more than 20 minutes, pre- entry testing must be repeated. Some situations may not require pre-entry testing.</td></tr></table> Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing CCOHS

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# Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing (cont.) ## What must the employer do when atmospheric testing is needed for a confined space? (cont.) <table><tr><th></th><th>15.1 Reg 10, Part 18: Confined Space Entry Section 18-5: Requirements before hazardous confined space is entered Section 18-8: Purging and ventilating of unsafe atmosphere</th><th>assess the hazards, and, when identified, test the atmosphere for oxygen, flammable or explosive substances, and airborne chemical substances. The competent person must also determine if the work activities will result in a change to the atmosphere. Appropriate and properly calibrated instruments that have been tested to show they are operating safely and effectively must be used. A written report must be prepared. Testing must be done at specific times when ventilation is used. This testing includes before entry, before re-entering after the space has been vacated, on the request of a worker who is required or permitted to enter the space, and continuously if any condition in the confined space may change and put the worker's health and safety at risk.</th></tr><tr><td>Yukon</td><td>Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (O.I.C. 2006/178), Part 2: Confined Spaces Section 2.01: Definitions (clean respirable air, high hazard atmosphere, low hazard atmosphere, moderate hazard atmosphere) Section 208: Hazard Assessment and Work Procedures Section 2.18: Verifying precaution Section 2.19: Pre-entry testing Section 2.20: Moderate or high hazard Section 2.21: Cleaning, purging, venting Section 2.22: Risk Control</td><td>OHS Regulations: A qualified person must conduct a hazard assessment and prepare written procedures. The assessment includes testing the atmosphere for oxygen, flammable gas, vapour or mist, combustible dust, or other hazardous atmospheres. Testing must be done less than 20 minutes before the worker enters the space, and repeated if the space has been vacated for more than 20 minutes. Use equipment maintained acc…

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# MIOSHA Fact Sheet # Confined Space in Construction MIOSHA Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Fatalities and injuries frequently occur among construction workers who, during the course of their jobs, are required to enter confined spaces. In some circumstances, these workers are exposed to a variety of hazardous atmospheric factors and physical agents. ## What is a Confined Space? A "confined space," as defined in Construction Standard Part 35, Confined Space in Construction means a space that, is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter it; has limited or restricted means for entry and exit; and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Below are some examples of confined spaces: • Storage tanks or process vessels • Bins or boilers • Ventilation ducts - Sewers or underground utility vaults • Tunnels (after construction is completed) • Pipelines • New manholes and new sewer pipe (installed and/or stored on construction sites) • Attics, crawl spaces and elevator pits • Open top spaces such as tubs, vaults, and vessels ## General Requirements Before beginning work at a worksite, each employer must ensure that a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more of the employees it directs may work. After the space is determined to be a confined space the employer must determine if there is a hazard present that could require it be treated as a permit required confined space. The employer then must identify each space that is a permit space, through consideration and evaluation of the elements of that space, including testing as necessary. If the workplace contains one or more permit spaces, the employer who identifies, or who receives notice of, a permit space must: - Inform exposed employees by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space; and • Inform, in a timely manner, and in a …