You're a safety professional giving a presentation on the common misconceptions and errors of confined space work in the construction industry. The presentation is geared toward safety professionals who may have some knowledge of confined spaces, or may be working in confined space environments and not know it. Create a 30 minute presentation that covers the basics of what a confined space is, what it is not, what common examples are found on construction sites including sites that may be demolition/renovation projects. Include the possible hazards that go along with the examples. Include the differences between OSHA general industry OSHA construction confined space standards and best practices. Use sources like ABC, AGC, ASSA, OSHA, NFPA, etc. Site your sources. Provide results in an easy to follow outline that flows from high level understanding, to specific standards, and concludes with the examples as case study discussion topics.

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This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html. Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders Article 37. Confined Spaces in Construction (Refs & Annos) Return to index New query ## § 1952. General Requirements. (a) Before it begins work at a worksite, each employer shall ensure that a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more of the employees it directs may work, and identifies each space that is a permit space, through consideration and evaluation of the elements of that space, including testing as necessary. (b) If the workplace contains one or more permit spaces, the employer who identifies, or who receives notice of, a permit space shall: (1) 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 NOTE to Section 1952(b)(1): A sign reading "DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER" or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign. (2) Inform, in a timely manner and in a manner other than posting, its employees' authorized representatives and the controlling contractor of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space. (c) Each employer who identifies, or receives notice of, a permit space and has not authorized employees it directs to work in that space shall take effective measures to prevent those employees from entering that permit space, in addition to complying with all other applicable requirements of this standard. (d) If any employer decides that employees it directs will enter a permit space, that employer shall have a written permit space program that complies …

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# What are the hazards in a confined space? All hazards found in a regular workspace can also be found in a confined space. However, they can be even more hazardous in a confined space than in a regular worksite. Hazards in confined spaces can include: - Poor air quality: - Insufficient amount of oxygen for the worker to breathe. - Toxic gases that could make the worker ill or cause the worker to lose consciousness. Examples include hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide). - Asphyxiants - simple asphyxiants are gases which can displace oxygen in the air (normally about 21 percent). Low oxygen levels (19.5 percent or less) can cause symptoms such as rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, clumsiness, emotional upset, and fatigue. As less oxygen becomes available, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, coma and death can occur. Unconsciousness or death could result within minutes following exposure to a simple asphyxiant. Simple asphyxiants include argon, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide. - Chemical exposures due to skin contact or ingestion (as well as inhalation of toxic gases). - Fire hazard - An explosive or flammable atmosphere due to flammable liquids and gases and combustible dusts which, if ignited, would lead to fire or explosion. - Process-related hazards - such as residual chemicals, or release of contents of a supply line. - Physical hazards - noise, heat, cold, radiation, vibration, electrical, and inadequate lighting. - Safety hazards - such as moving parts of equipment, structural hazards, engulfment, entanglement, slips, or falls. - Vehicular and pedestrian traffic. - Shifting or collapse of bulk material (engulfment). - Barrier failure that results in a flood or release of free-flowing solid or liquid. - Visibility - such as smoke particles in the air. - Biological hazards - viruses, bacteria from fecal matter and sludge, fungi, or moulds. Confined Space - Introduction CCOHS

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This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders Article 37. Confined Spaces in Construction (Refs & Annos) Return to index New query ## § 1959. Duties of Entry Supervisors. (a) The entry employer shall ensure that each entry supervisor: (1) Is familiar with and understands the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure; (2) Verifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin; (3) Terminates the entry and cancels or suspends the permit as required by Section 1954(e); (4) Verifies that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable, and that the employer will be notified as soon as the services become unavailable; (5) Removes unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations; and (6) Determines, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred, and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained. Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code. ## HISTORY 1. New section filed 12-30-2015; operative 12-30-2015. Exempt from OAL review pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3). Submitted to OAL for filing and printing only (Register 2016,…

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This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html. Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders Article 37. Confined Spaces in Construction (Refs & Annos) Return to index New query ## § 1955. Entry Permit. (a) The entry permit that documents compliance with this section and authorizes entry to a permit space shall identify: (1) The permit space to be entered; (2) The purpose of the entry; (3) The date and the authorized duration of the entry permit; (4) The authorized entrants within the permit space, by name or by such other means (for example, through the use of rosters or tracking systems) as will enable the attendant to determine quickly and accurately, for the duration of the permit, which authorized entrants are inside the permit space; - NOTE to Section 1955(a)(4): This requirement may be met by inserting a reference on the entry permit as to the means used, such as a roster or tracking system, to keep track of the authorized entrants within the permit space. (5) Means of detecting an increase in atmospheric hazard levels in the event the ventilation system stops working; (6) Each person, by name, currently serving as an attendant; (7) The individual, by name, currently serving as entry supervisor, and the signature or initials of each entry supervisor who authorizes entry; (8) The hazards of the permit space to be entered; (9) The measures used to isolate the permit space and to eliminate or control permit space hazards before entry; - NOTE to Section 1955(a)(9): Those measures can include, but are not limited to, the lockout or tagging of equipment and procedures for purging, inerting, ventilating, and flushing permit spaces. (10) The acceptable entry condit…

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# Why is working in a confined space more hazardous than working in other workspaces? (cont.) ## What should be done when preparing to enter the confined space? (cont.) The results of the tests for these hazards are to be recorded on the Entry Permit along with the equipment or method(s) that were used in performing the tests. Air testing is often ongoing, depending on the nature of the potential hazards and the nature of the work. Conditions can change while workers are inside the confined space and sometimes a hazardous atmosphere is created by the work activities in the confined space. For more information see our OSH Answers document on Confined Space - Atmospheric Testing. ## How are hazards controlled in confined spaces? Hazards and risks associated with a confined space must first be identified through a risk assessment. After this is done, a hazard control program can be put in place. The traditional hazard control methods found in regular worksites, which are implemented based on the hierarchy of controls, can be effective in a confined space. The most effective controls are elimination and substitution, if these are not possible or if there is remaining risk, then engineering controls should be considered. Administrative controls should also be put in place to complement other controls. The last measure to consider is personal protective equipment. However, often because of the nature of the confined space and depending on the hazard, special precautions not normally required in a regular worksite may also need to be taken. Elimination removes the hazard (e.g., finding another way to complete a job without entering a confined space) and substitution replaces a hazard with a safer one (e.g., using cold work methods instead of hot work). An engineering control commonly used in confined spaces is mechanical ventilation. The entry permit system is an example of an administrative control used in confined spaces. Personal protective equipment (such as res…

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR # Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Part Number: 1926 - Part Number - Title: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction - Subpart: 1926 Subpart AA - Subpart Title: Confined Spaces in Construction Standard - Number: - Title: - 1926.1209 - Duties of attendants. - GPO Source: e-CFR The entry employer must ensure that each attendant: 1926.1209(a) Is familiar with and understands the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure; - 1926.1209(b) Is aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants; ## 1926.1209(c) Continuously maintains an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space and ensures that the means used to identify authorized entrants under $ 1926.1206(d) accurately identifies who is in the permit space; 1926.1209(d) Remains outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant; Note to paragraph (d). Once an attendant has been relieved by another attendant, the relieved Submit Feedback

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# OSHA STANDARDS # 1926.1202 DEFINITIONS The following terms are defined for the purposes of this subpart only: Acceptable entry conditions means the conditions that must exist in a permit space, before an employee may enter that space, to ensure that employees can safely enter into, and safely work within, the space. Attendant means an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who assesses the status of authorized entrants and who must perform the duties specified in § 1926.1209. Authorized entrant means an employee who is authorized by the entry supervisor to enter a permit space. Barrier means a physical obstruction that blocks or limits access. Blanking or blinding means the absolute closure of a pipe, line, or duct by the fastening of a solid plate (such as a spectacle blind or a skillet blind) that completely covers the bore and that is capable of withstanding the maximum pressure of the pipe, line, or duct with no leakage beyond the plate. Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. - Confined space means a space that: (1)Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter it; (2) Has limited or restricted means for entry and exit; and (3)I: not designed for continuous employee occupancy. - Control means the action taken to reduce the level of any hazard inside a confined space using engineering methods (for example, by ventilation), and then using these methods to maintain the reduced hazard level. Control also refers to the engineering methods used for this purpose. Personal protective equipment is not a control. - Controlling Contractor is the employer that has overall responsibility for construction at the worksite. - Note to the definition of "Controlling Contractor". - If the…

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This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html. Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders Article 37. Confined Spaces in Construction (Refs & Annos) Return to index New query ## § 1950. Scope. (a) 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, subject to the exceptions in subsection (b) of this section. NOTE to Section 1950(a): Examples of locations where confined spaces may occur include, but are not limited to, the following: Bins; boilers; pits (such as elevator, escalator, pump, valve or other equipment); manholes (such as sewer, storm drain, electrical, communication, or other utility); tanks (such as fuel, chemical, water, or other liquid, solid or gas); incinerators; scrubbers; concrete pier columns; sewers; transformer vaults; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) ducts; storm drains; water mains; precast concrete and other pre- formed manhole units; drilled shafts; enclosed beams; vessels; digesters; lift stations; cesspools; silos; air receivers; sludge gates; air preheaters; step up transformers; turbines; chillers; bag houses; and/or mixers/reactors. (b) EXCEPTIONS: This standard does not apply to: (1) Construction work regulated by Construction Safety Orders, Article 6, Excavations. (2) Construction work regulated by the Tunnel Safety Orders. (3) Construction work regulated by General Industry Safety Orders, Group 26, Diving Operations. (4) Construction work regulated by the General Industry Safety Orders, Article 154, Pressurized Worksite Operations. (c) Where this standard applies and there is a provision that addresses a co…

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# Subpart AA-Confined Spaces in Construction # 1926.1203-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 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-written program, procedures - Inspections and Tests-tests, inspecting space, inspection data - Recordkeeping-certifications - Certification-written certifications - Training and Communications-posting signs, inform entrants - Exposure Monitoring-monitoring space - Competent Person-evaluate space - Qualified Person-authorized persons - Signs, Markings and Tags-danger signs ## Programs, Plans and Procedures 1926.1203(d)-If any employer decides that employees it directs will enter a permit space, that employer must have a written permit space program that complies with 1926.1204-Permit-Required Confined Space Program implemented at the construction site. The written program must be made available prior to and during entry operations for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. 1926.1203(e)-An employer may use the alternate procedures specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section for entering a permit space only under the conditions set forth in paragraph (e)(1) of this section. 1926.1203(f)-When there are changes in the use or configuration of a non-permit confined space that might increase the hazards to entrants, or some indication that the initial evaluation of the space may not have been adequate, each entry employer must have a competent person reevaluate that space and, if necessary, reclassify it as a permit-required confined space. 1926.1203(g)(4)-If hazards arise within a permit space that has been reclassified as a non-permit space under paragraph (g) of this section, each employee in the space must ex…

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# CONSTRUCTION STANDARD (cont.) ## PART 35, CONFINED SPACE IN CONSTRUCTION (cont.) <table><tr><th>TABLE 1 EXAMPLES OF LOCATIONS WHERE CONFINED SPACES MAY OCCUR</th></tr><tr><td>Storm drains</td></tr><tr><td>Water mains</td></tr><tr><td>Precast concrete and other pre-formed manhole units</td></tr><tr><td>Drilled shafts</td></tr><tr><td>Enclosed beams</td></tr><tr><td>Vessels</td></tr><tr><td>Digesters</td></tr><tr><td>Lift Stations</td></tr><tr><td>Cesspools</td></tr><tr><td>Silos</td></tr><tr><td>Air receivers</td></tr><tr><td>Sludge gates</td></tr><tr><td>Air preheaters</td></tr><tr><td>Step up transformers</td></tr><tr><td>Turbines</td></tr><tr><td>Chillers</td></tr><tr><td>Bag houses</td></tr><tr><td>Mixers, such as reactors</td></tr></table> (2) This standard does not apply to any of the following: (a) Construction work regulated by Construction Safety Standard Part 9 "Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring." (b) Construction work regulated by Construction Safety Standard Part 14 "Tunnels, Shafts, Caissons, and Cofferdams." (c) Construction work regulated by Occupational Health Standard Part 504 "Diving Operations." (d) Construction work regulated by Occupational Health Standard Part 665 "Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams, and Compressed Air." (3) When this standard applies and there is a provision that addresses a confined space hazard in another applicable standard, the employer shall comply with both that requirement and the applicable provisions of this standard. (4) The following provisions of the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) regulations, except as amended in these rules, are adopted by reference in these rules: (a) 1926.1202 "Definitions." (b) 1926.1203 "General requirements." " (c) 1926.1204 "Permit-required confined space program." (d) 1926.1205 "Permitting process." (e) 1926.1206 "Entry permit." (f) 1926.1207 "Training." (g) 1926.1208 "Duties of authorized entrants." (h) 1926.1209 "Duties of atte…