Confined Space

Bureau of Workers’ Comp

PA Training for Health & Safety
29 CFR 1910.146 (PATHS)

PPT-004-04 1
 Reason for the Standard

Why did OSHA develop a Confined

Space standard?

122 confined space accidents

each year led to 173 fatalities.
60% of the fatalities occurred
during rescue attempts.

PPT-004-04 2
 The Standard

Intended to protect workers from Toxic,

flammable, explosive, or asphyxiating
atmospheres.

Possible engulfment.

Any other recognized serious hazard (example:

hazardous energy).
The standard focuses on areas with
immediate health or safety risks, denoting
them as “Permit Required Confined Space.”

PPT-004-04 3
 Industry Standard

All employees required to enter into confined

or enclosed spaces shall be instructed as to:

- Nature of the hazards involved.

- Necessary precautions to be taken.
- Use of protective emergency equipment.

The employer shall comply with any specific

regulations that apply to work in dangerous or
potentially dangerous areas.

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Typical Confined Spaces
• Boiler, Degreaser, Furnace
• Pipeline, Pit, Pumping Station
• Reaction or Process Vessel, Mills
• Septic Tank, Sewage Digester
• Silo, Storage Tank, Barges
• Sewer, Utility Vault, Manhole
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• Trenches, Shafts, Caissons

 How to Identify Confined Spaces

o Limited Openings for Entry and Exit.

o Unfavorable Natural Ventilation.

o Not Designed for Continuous Worker Occupancy.

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 Limited Openings for Entry/Exit

• Openings as small as 18 inches in diameter.

• Difficult to enter with SCBA or other life-saving
equipment.
• Difficult to remove downed worker in folded up
or bent over position.
• Exit from large openings may be difficult due to
presence of ladders, hoists, etc.

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 Unfavorable Natural Ventilation

 Lack of air movement in and out of the space can

create an atmosphere much different than the
outside atmosphere.

 Deadly gases can be trapped inside.

 Organic materials can decompose.
 May not be enough oxygen due to presence of
other gases or chemical reactions such as rusting.

PPT-004-04 8
Short Term Occupancy

A confined space
is not designed
for continuous
employee
occupancy.

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 Characteristics Include

Not Designed for Continuous Worker Occupancy:

 Most confined spaces are not designed to
enter and work in on a regular basis.

 Designed to store a product.

 Enclose materials or processes.
 Transport products or substances.
 Occasional worker entry for inspection, repair,
cleanup, maintenance, etc.
PPT-004-04 10
 Dangerous Combinations

• Presence of all three confined space

characteristics can complicate the situation.

• Working in and around the space.

• Rescue operations during emergencies.
• Worsened conditions due to work activities:
o Welding and cutting, use of bonding agents.
o Cleaning with solvents, use of other chemicals.
o Use of gas-powered equipment.

PPT-004-04 11
 PRCS

Permit-Required Confined Space

1. Contains or has a potential to contain a
hazardous atmosphere.
2. Contains a material that has the potential for
engulfing an entrant.
3. Has an internal configuration such that an
entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by
inwardly converging walls or by a floor which
slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-
section.
4. Contains any other recognized serious safety or
health hazard.
PPT-004-04 12
 Categorizing Work Space
* Space large enough to enter &;
* Limited or Restricted entry or exit &;
* Not designed for continuous worker NO
occupancy. Not a confined Space

YES Confined Space

Hazardous Atmosphere

Permit- Or Non-
NO Permit
Engulfment Hazard
Required YES
Confined
Or Required
Space
Configuration Hazard Space
Or
Any other recognized
serious
PPT- hazard 13
 Evaluation

Employers are required to evaluate

workplaces for permit required
confined spaces.

Employees must be informed of the

existence of confined spaces through
the use of signs, etc.

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY
MUST BE PREVENTED

PPT-004-04 14
 Signs

A sign reading:

- DANGER -
PERMIT REQUIRED
CONFINED SPACE
DO NOT ENTER

or other similar language

would satisfy the
requirement for a sign.

PPT-004-04 15
 Hazards of Confined Spaces

o Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres.

o Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres.
o Flammable Atmospheres.
o Toxic Atmospheres.
o Temperature Extremes.
o Engulfment Hazards.

o Noise, Slick/Wet Surfaces.

o Falling Objects.

PPT-004-04 16
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

19.5 % Minimum acceptable oxygen level.

15 - 19% Early symptoms: Decreased ability

to work strenuously. Impaired

coordination.
12-14% Respiration increases. Poor judgment.
10-12% Respiration increases. Lips blue.
8-10% Mental failure. Fainting. Nausea.
Unconsciousness. Vomiting.
6-8% 8 minutes=fatal, 6 minutes=50% fatal

4-5 minutes=possible recovery.

4-6% Coma in 40 seconds. Death.
PPT-004-04 17
 Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres

• Oxygen level above 23.5%.

• Causes flammable and combustible materials to
burn violently when ignited.
• Hair, clothing, materials, etc.
• Oil soaked clothing and
materials.
• Never use pure oxygen
to ventilate.
• Never store or place
compressed tanks in a
confined space.
PPT-004-04 18
 Flammable Atmospheres

3 Critical Factors:
￫ Presence of a flammable gas or vapor
￫ Presence Oxygen content in the air
￫ Presence of dust (visibility of 5’ or less)
Proper air/gas mixture can lead to explosion

Typical Ignition Sources:

￫ Sparking or electric tool
￫ Welding/cutting operations
￫ Smoking

PPT-004-04 19
 Toxic Atmospheres

Product stored in a confined

space:
￫ Gases released when
cleaning
￫ Materials absorbed into walls

of confined space
￫ Decomposition of materials
in
the confined space
Work performed in a confined
space:
￫ Welding, cutting, brazing,
soldering
￫ Painting, scraping, sanding,
degreasing
￫ Sealing, bonding, melting
Areas adjacent to a confined
PPT-004-04 20
space.
 Hydrogen Sulfide

• Decomposition of materials; human waste.

• Rotten egg odor at low concentrations.
• Possibly no warning at high concentrations.
PPM Effect Time
10 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
50 - 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
200 - 300 Significant Irritation 1 Hour
500 - 700 Unconsciousness, Death 1/2-1 Hour
>1000 Unconsciousness, Death Minutes

PPT-004-04 21
 Carbon Monoxide

• Odorless, Colorless Gas.

• Combustion By-Product.
• Quickly collapse at high concentrations.

PPM Effect Time

50 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
200 Slight headache, discomfort 3 Hours
600 Headache, discomfort 1 Hour
1000-2000 Confusion, nausea, headache 2 Hours
1000-2000 Tendency to stagger 1 1/2 Hours
1000-2000 Slight heart palpitation 30 Min.
2000-2500 Unconsciousness 30 Min.

PPT-004-04 22
 Temperature Extremes

• Extremely hot or cold temperatures.

• Steam cleaning of confined spaces.
• Humidity factors.
• Extremely cold liquids.
• Work processes inside the confined
space can increase temperature
extremes.
• Personal protective equipment.
PPT-004-04 23
 Engulfment Hazards

Loose, granular materials stored in bins and

hoppers - grain, sand, coal, etc.
Crusting and bridging below a worker.
Flooding of confined space.
Water or sewage flow.

PPT-004-04 24
 Other Hazards
Noise
-Amplified due to acoustics within the space.

-Damaged hearing, affect communication.

Slick/Wet Surfaces
-Slips and falls.
-Increased chance of electric shock.

Falling Objects
-Topside openings expose workers inside
confined space to falling objects.

PPT-004-04 25
 Testing the Atmosphere

 Verify presence of safe work atmosphere.

 Test in this order: oxygen, combustible gases
and vapors, toxic gases and vapors
 Test all areas of a confined space.
-Top, Middle, Bottom
 Methane is lighter than air.
 Carbon Monoxide is the same as air.
 Hydrogen Sulfide is heavier than air.
 Oxygen Deficiency.
PPT-004-04 26
 Ventilation

o First option to correct problems.

o Must be aware of hazards you are trying to
correct in the confined space.
o Air intake in a safe location to draw fresh air
only.
o Continuous ventilation whenever possible.
o Retest the confined space before entry.

PPT-004-04 27
Determination of Purge Time

Purge times can be estimated by the

following:
T = 7.5 V/C

T = purge time in minutes

V = the volume of the space in ft3
C = effective blower capacity CFM

PPT-004-04 28
 Purging Time Example

Situation:

An estimation of purging time is needed for a

800 ft3 deep neck manhole. The effective blower
capacity is 250 CFM.

800/250 x 7.5 = 24 minutes

PPT-004-04 29
 Isolation

 Locking and tagging out electrical

sources.
 Blanking and bleeding pneumatic and
hydraulic lines.
 Disconnecting mechanical drives and
shafts.
 Securing mechanical parts.
 Blanking sewer and water flow.
 Locking and tagging out shutoff
valves.

PPT-004-04 30
 Respirators

Air-Purifying Respirators

-Filter dangerous substances from the air.

-Must know the type and amount of hazardous
substance present in the confined space.
-NEVER use with oxygen deficiency!

Air-Supplying Respirators

-Deliver a safe supply of breathing air from

a cylinder or an uncontaminated area nearby.
-Must be adequately monitored.

PPT-004-04 31
 Authorized Entrants
Entrants must:

• Know the hazards they are facing.

• Be able to recognize signs and symptoms
of exposure.
• Understand the consequences
of exposure to hazards.
• Communicate with
attendants as necessary.
• Alert attendants to warning
signs or existence of a
hazardous condition.
• Exit when ordered or
alerted.

PPT-004-04 32
 Attendants

Could this be a safety

Attendants must: issue for the attendant?

→ Be aware of behavioral effects

of potential exposures.
→ Maintain count and identity of
entrants.
→ Remain outside the space until
relieved.
→ Communicate with entrants.
→ Monitor activities inside and
outside the space and order
exit if required. Yes, if a hazardous
atmosphere is present.

PPT-004-04 33
 Attendants

▪ Summon rescuers if
necessary.
▪ Prevent unauthorized
entry.
▪ Perform non-entry rescue.

Attendants may NOT

perform other duties that
interfere with their
primary duty to monitor
and protect!

PPT-004-04 34
 Entry Supervisors

Entry Supervisors must:

• Issue confined space permits.
• Know hazards.
• Verify that all tests have been
conducted.
• Verify that all procedures and
equipment are in place before
signing a permit.
• Terminate entry if necessary and
cancel permits.

PPT-004-04 35
 Entry Supervisors

– Verify availability of rescue

services & means for
summoning.
– Remove unauthorized
individuals.
– Terminate entry if
necessary.
– Cancel permits.
– Coordinate shift
change.

PPT-004-04 36
 Entry Permit Systems

• Written permit signed by entry

supervisor.
• Verifies pre-entry precautions have
been taken and the space is safe
to enter.

• Posted at entry to confined space.

• Specifies apparent hazards and
corrective actions taken prior to
entry.

• Requires termination of permit

when task is completed or when
new conditions exist.
PPT-004-04 37
 Entry Permit Requirements

o Date, location, and name of confined space.

o Purpose of entry and known hazards.
o Duration of entry permit time.
o Authorized entrants, attendants, supervisors.
o Air testing results - signature of tester.
o Protective measures to be taken.

–Ventilation, Isolation, Flushing

–Lockout/Tagout, Purging

PPT-004-04 38
More Entry Permit Requirements

• Name and phone numbers of rescue

and emergency services.

• Communication procedures.
• Special equipment and procedures.
–Personal protective
equipment (PPE)
–Alarm procedures
–Rescue equipment
–Respirators
PPT-004-04 39
 Training and Education

 All workers who must enter

confined spaces.
 All attendants and rescue
team members.
 Prior to initial work
assignment.
 Retraining when:
– Job duties change
– Change in permit-space
program
– New hazards are present
– Job performance indicates
deficiencies

PPT-004-04 40
 Training and Education

Training and emergency

drills should be conducted
once a year or whenever
the procedure or process
changes.

Records for training must

include:

￫ Name of employee(s)
￫ Signature of trainer(s)
￫ Date(s) of training and
￫ Must be retained for 3
years

PPT-004-04 41
Alternative Protection Procedures

OSHA has specified alternative protection

procedures that may be used for permit spaces
where the only hazard is atmospheric and
ventilation alone will control the hazard.

PPT-004-04 42
 Entry without Permit

When a confined space is opened:

–The opening must be promptly guarded by a

rail or temporary cover.
–The atmosphere must be tested before
entering using only direct reading instruments.
–The atmosphere must be tested (in this order)
for oxygen content, flammable gases/vapors,
and toxic air contaminants.
–Continuous forced air ventilation must be used.

PPT-004-04 43
Entry without Permit
When a confined space is opened:

–The atmosphere must be tested

periodically during work.

–The employer must verify

alternative procedure applicability
and safe entry conditions by a
written certification (not a permit)
with the following information:
● Date
● Location
● Signature
NOTE: The above certificate must be made
available to entrant to review

PPT-004-04 44
 Entry without Permit

If you meet the conditions stated in Section (C)(5)

(i) of the OSHA standard:

￫ Employer can prove only hazard is actual or potential

hazardous atmosphere
￫ Continuous forced air or ventilation alone sufficient for
entry
￫ Employer develops monitoring and inspection data

You may use the procedures specified in Section (C)

(5)(ii) of the standard. This allows you to OMIT
Paragraphs (d) through (f) and (h) through (k) of
the standard.
NOTE: Paragraph (g) Training
still applies to all confined
space activities
PPT-004-04 45
Rescue Services

May be provided by:

On-site employees

or

“Off-site services”

PPT-004-04 46
 On-site Teams
On-site teams must:

–Be properly equipped.

–Receive the same training as

entrants.

–Receive additional training in

the use of PPE, rescue
equipment, first aid and CPR.

–Practice simulated rescues

once each year.
PPT-004-04 47
Off-site Teams

Off-site teams
must:

– Be aware of
confined space
hazards.

– Practice similar
rescues in similar
spaces.

PPT-004-04 48
 Local Fire/Rescue Service

Are all fire companies/departments in your county

equipped and trained to handle Confined Space rescue?

Is your local fire company/department trained, equipped,

and are they available every time you enter a PRCS?

Is your local fire company/department aware of the

locations of your Confined Spaces?

These are questions you need to

have answered before you enter a
Permit Required Confined Space!

PPT-004-04 49
 Bottom Line

 Be aware of the location of all Confined

Spaces in your facility.
 Ensure you’re familiar with the hazards of
these Confined Spaces.
 Don’t enter a Permit Required Confined
Space until all the safety conditions have
been met and you’re wearing the proper
PPE.
 Before entering a PRCS, ensure reliable
and trained personnel are available to
perform rescue if the need arises.
PPT-004-04 50
Questions?

PPT-004-04 51