Confined Space Training

Confined Spaces

Rescuers Account for Over 60% of Confined Space Fatalities

Confined Space Tragedies

Two workers died from asphyxiation trying to shut off water flow to damaged pipe due to extremely low oxygen levels.

Five farmers died trying to save one another in a manure pit.

Purpose of TrainingEnsure that employees are familiar with safety precautions and procedures associated with confined spaces

Frequency of Training

Upon initial assignmentChange in assigned duties or a change in permit space conditionsInadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of confined space entry procedures

Training OutlineIntroductionGeneral RequirementsEquipment RequirementsThe Entry PermitDuties of Authorized Entrants, Attendants and Entry SupervisorRescue and Emergency ServicesContractorsSafe Entry Procedures

Introduction

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146: Permit-Required Confined Spaces

Ensure that employees can safely enter into and work within permit-required confined spaces

DefinitionA Confined space:Is large enough that an employee can enter and perform assigned workHas limited or restricted means for entry or exitIs not designed for continuous employee occupancy

ExamplesExamples:tankspitstunnelsvaultsboilerssewers shaftsventilation ductscrawl spaces

IntroductionA permit-required confined space:Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphereContains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrantInternal configuration that might cause entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross sectionContains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard

Atmospheric Hazards Oxygen Levels - below 19.5 % or above 23.5%

Flammable/Explosive exceeds 10% of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)

Toxic Substances exceed Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)

Engulfment

Liquid or loose materials trap a worker.

Typically associated with loose materials in bins, silos, and hoppers.

Death can occur by asphyxiation, aspiration, or constriction.

Introduction"Entry" is when a person passes through an opening into a permit-required confined spaceAny part of the entrant's body breaks the plane of an opening into the space

General RequirementsIdentify confined spaces and classify them as permit or non-permitA permit-required confined space may be reclassifiedIdentify and evaluate the hazards of the permit spaces before employees enterInform exposed employees of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces

Confined Spaces Flow Chart

General RequirementsMeasures to prevent entryDevelop and implement practices and procedures necessary for safe entryProvide and maintain all required equipmentEducate employees on safe entry procedures and equipment operation

Equipment RequirementsTesting and monitoring equipmentVentilating equipmentCommunications equipmentPersonal protective equipmentLighting equipmentBarriers and shieldsEquipment needed for safe ingress and egressEmergency equipmentOther equipment for safe entry

The Entry Permit

Permit must be completed before entry is authorizedEntry supervisor must sign the permitPermit must be made available at the time of entry so entrants can confirm that pre-entry preparations have been completed

The Entry PermitDuration may not exceed the time identified on the permitRetain each canceled entry permit for at least 1 year to facilitate review of the programProblems encountered during entry shall be noted on the permit so that appropriate revisions can be made to the program

Contents of The Entry Permit1. Permit space to be entered2. Purpose of the entry3. Date and the authorized duration of the entry permit4. Authorized entrants5. Attendants6. Entry supervisor with a space for the signature

Contents of The Entry Permit7. Hazards of the permit space8. Measures used to isolate the permit space and to eliminate or control permit space hazards before entry9. Acceptable entry conditions10. Results of initial and periodic tests, names or initials of the testers and when the tests were performed

Contents of The Entry Permit11. Rescue and emergency services12. Communication procedures13. Equipment (personal protective equipment, testing equipment, communications equipment, alarm systems, rescue equipment, etc.)14. Any other information necessary in order to ensure employee safety

Duties of Authorized Entrants

Understand potential hazardsUse equipment properlyCommunicate with attendant regularlyIf the unexpected occurs alert the attendantExit immediately if hazard develops

Duties of Authorized EntrantsAlert the attendant whenever:Entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situationThe entrant detects a prohibited condition

Duties of Authorized EntrantsEvacuate the confined space when:Order to evacuate is given by the attendant or the entry supervisorEntrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situationEntrant detects a prohibited conditionEvacuation alarm is activated

Duties of Attendants

"Attendant" - stationed outside permit space; monitors entrantsKnows the hazards including signs, symptoms and consequences of exposureContinuously maintains accurate count of entrants in permit spaceRemains outside the permit space during entry until relieved by another attendant

Duties of AttendantsCommunicates with entrants to monitor entrant status and to alert entrants of the need to evacuateMonitors activities inside & outside the space to determine if - it is safe for entrants to - remain in the space

Duties of AttendantsOrders evacuation immediately if:Detects a prohibited conditionDetects the behavioral effects of hazard exposure in entrantDetects a situation outside the space that could endanger the entrantsIf the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all the duties

Duties of AttendantsSummon emergency servicesKeep unauthorized persons awayInform entrants and entry supervisor if unauthorized persons have entered the permit spacePerforms non-entry rescues when applicable and they have trainingPerforms no duties that might interfere with primary duty to monitor and protect entrants

Duties of Entry Supervisor"Entry supervisor" - person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present, for authorizing entry, overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as requiredAn entry supervisor also may serve as an attendant or as an entrant, as long as that person is trained and equipped to do so

Duties of Entry SupervisorKnows the hazards including signs, symptoms, and consequences of the exposureVerifies that the entry permit is complete, all tests have been conducted and all procedures and equipment are in place before allowing entry to beginVerifies that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable

Duties of Entry SupervisorRemoves unauthorized individuals who enter or attempt to enter the spaceEnsures that acceptable entry conditions are maintained throughout the entryTerminates entry and cancels the entry permit when the operations have been completed or a condition that is not allowed under the permit arises

Rescue and Emergency Services

Self-RescueNon-entry RescueOnly trained workers can enter space and only when there is another attendantCall 911

Rescue and Emergency ServicesResponds in a timely mannerRescue provider must be proficient with confined space rescue-related tasks and equipmentInform rescue provider of the hazards they may encounter on siteProvide the rescue provider with access to all permit spaces so they can develop rescue plans and practice rescue operations

Rescue and Emergency ServicesRetrieval systems shall be used unless they increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescueEach entrant shall use a full body harness and a retrieval line if feasibleThe other end of the retrieval line shall be attached to a mechanical device or fixed point outside the permit spaceA mechanical retrieval device shall be available for vertical type permit spaces more than 5 feet deep

Contractors

Inform contractor that workplace contains permit spaces and entry is allowed only in compliance with permit space programApprise contractor of the hazards that make the space a permit spaceApprise contractor of precautions for the protection of employees in or near permit spaces where contractor will be working

ContractorsCoordinate with employer when both host personnel and contractor personnel will be working in or near spacesDebrief employer at the conclusion of entryContractor shall inform the employer of the permit program that they will follow and of any hazards confronted or created

Safe Entry ProceduresPerform work outside of space if possibleDesignate entrants, attendants, entry supervisors and atmospheric monitors, identify the duties of each, and assure training has been providedNotify all departments affected by entryPost signs and put up barriers to protect entrants from traffic and pedestriansSpecify acceptable entry conditions

Safe Entry ProceduresVentilate, eliminate, or control the spaces atmospheric hazards before entry into the spaceBlind or disconnect and cap all input lines so that no hazardous materials can enter the spaceLockout/TagoutWhen entrance covers are removed, guard the opening immediately

Safe Entry ProceduresTest permit space before entry beginsMonitor permit space to determine if entry conditions are maintainedTest for oxygen, combustible gases/vapors, and toxic gases/vapors in that orderObserve status of other existing hazards and those created during entry operations

Safe Entry Procedures

Authorized entrants can enter a permit space only after its been tested and found safe for entryThe entrant must know what equipment to use & how to use itProvide at least one attendant outside the permit space for the duration of entry

Safe Entry ProceduresMaintain acceptable conditions for duration of entryImplement rescue and emergency procedures if necessaryImplement procedures necessary for concluding the entry

Safe Entry ProceduresReview entry operations when there is reason to believe that measures taken may not protect employees and revise the program before subsequent entriesReview the permit space program within 1 year after each entry and revise the program as necessary to ensure that employees participating in entry operations are protected

QUESTIONS?

Quiz1. T / F Rescuers account for over 60 % of confined space fatalities? True

2. T / F A confined space is an area large enough that employee may enter has a limited means of entry or exit? True

Quiz3. Name at least 3 examples of a confined space. tanksPits, tunnelsVaults, boilerssewers , shaftsventilation ducts,crawl spaces

4. T / F A permit required confined space is an area that contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere? True

Quiz5. Is an atmosphere containing less than 19.5%, and above 23.5% oxygen dangerous? Yes, below 19.5% O2 deficient above 23.6% exsplosive

6. T / F Entry into a confined space is when any part of the entrants body breaks the plane of the an opening into a confined space. True

Quiz7. How can a space that is classified as a permit required confined space be reclassified? Remove hazards

8. If the hazard or hazardous atmosphere cannot be removed, what must be done before entering the space? Issue permit entry

Quiz9. T / F The attendant may leave the space entrance go to the bathroom? False, Attendant can never leave unless replaced

10. Who is responsible for determining if acceptable conditions for entry are present? Entry Supervisor

Quiz11. May the entry supervisor also serve as the attendant? Yes

12. What must an entrant to a permit required confined space wear? Appropriate PPE, lanyard system

Quiz13. Can the attendant enter the confined space? No

14. Who may enter the confined space for rescue? certified personnel only