Permit Required Confined Space

Training Guide
This Program Is Provided to Protect Authorized Employees
That Will Enter Confined Spaces and May Be Exposed to
Hazardous Atmospheres, Engulfment in Materials,
Conditions Which May Trap or Asphyxiate Due to
Converging or Sloping Walls, or Contains Any Other Safety
or Health Hazards.

Unrestricted
 What Is a Confined Space
• It is large enough or so configured that an employee can bodily enter
and perform work.
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (I.E. Tanks, vessels,
silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have
limited means of entry).
• In not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

– NOTE: annually there are 62 fatalities and 12,643 injuries and

illnesses contributed to confined space hazards.
What Is a PERMIT-RQUIRED Confined
Space
Permit required confined space (permit space), means a confined space.
that has one or more of the following characteristics:

• Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.

• Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant.
• Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or
asphyxiated by inwardly covering walls or by a floor which slopes
downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.
• Contains any other recognized safety or health hazard.
 Confined Space Hazards
• Atmospheric Hazards • Physical Hazards
– Oxygen Deficiency – Unguarded machine parts
– Combustible – Thermal hazards
– Flammable – Exposed electrical circuits
– Explosive
– Slip / fall hazards
– Toxic gases / Vapors / Dust
/ Mists – Engulfment
• Other Possible Hazards – Entrapment
– Rodents / snakes / spiders – Hazardous chemicals
– Poor lighting – Biological agents
– Wind & weather – Noise
– Vibration
 Hazardous Atmospheres

• Flammable Atmospheres • Toxic Atmospheres

– Enriched oxygen levels – Carbon monoxide (CO)
– Vapors of flammable – Welding operations
liquids – Discharge of hazardous
– Chemical reaction chemicals
– Combustible dust
– By-products of work
 Hazardous Atmospheres (Continued)

• Irritant (Corrosive) • Asphyxiating Atmospheres:

Atmospheres: – 20.9%oxygen + 78.1%
nitrogen & 1% argon
– Primary: • O2 consumption <17% =
• Exert no systemic toxic hypoxia
effects ( on the entire • Welding
body) • Number of people
• Chlorine , ozone, sulfuric • Increased CO2
acid • Colorless & odorless
– Secondary: • O2 < 14 – 16% = physiologic
effects
• Weakens defense reflexes
• Benzene/ ethyl-chloride/
refrigeration
 General Safety Hazards
• Mechanical:
– Electrical or mechanical equipment that would cause injury – LOTO
– Inspect for leaks – vapors, gases – valves closed
• Physical Hazards:
– Pipe temperatures – hot or cold
– Noise
– Vibration
• Structural Hazards:
– Horizontal pathways
– Overhead structural members
– Vertical shafts
 Controlling Hazards
• First evaluate the workplace does it meet the criteria that requires a
permit.
– Post signs warning personnel to stay out of the area.
– Use barriers as required.
– Follow the Confined Space Entry Permit.
– Conduct air monitoring to identify and evaluate hazards.
– Identify the conditions that will make the space acceptable to enter safely.
– Flush, ventilate, or otherwise eliminate atmospheric hazards before
allowing entry.
 Confined Space Entry Permit
• This is the “Key” to the confined space safety program.
• The permit identifies:
– The space to be entered.
– Purpose, date and authorized length of entry.
– Names or workers authorized to enter, attendant and entry supervisor.
– Hazards associated with the space.
– Results of initial and periodic tests.
– Methods used to isolate, eliminate or control the hazards.
– Acceptable entry conditions.
– Equipment – PPE, lighting, ventilating, testing/monitoring, ladders & retrieval.
– Emergency services phone numbers.
– Additional permits – Hot Work – LOTO.
– Special employee safety information.
 Ventilation Guidelines
• Clean and purge space before entering
• Sewer lids should not be lifted prior to initial atmospheric testing
• Initial atmospheric test before using ventilation equipment
• Keep all ignition sources away from potential combustible atmospheres
• Report all suspected leaks into or out of space
– Always ventilate prior to entry and during occupancy
– Elevate blower intake 10 inches above ground to reduce CO from vehicles
– Locate blower 5 ft. away from space opening – know direction & location exhaust will exit
– Minimize hose length and bends
– Increase initial purge time by 50% if atmosphere is toxic or space has irregular shape
– Blower must provide 20 air changes per hour
– Supply ventilation is more effective than exhaust ventilation
– Direct supply ventilation to area occupied by worker
– Use local exhaust for localized contaminant sources (such as welding fumes)
 Acceptable Entry Conditions
• Confined Space Entry permit posted.
• Oxygen level 19.5 – 23.5%.
• Lower Explosive Level 0%.
• Toxic fumes/vapors LESS than PEL.
• No engulfing material in space.
• No hazardous chemicals or material.
• Drained - or - Flushed.
• Rescue Team Available.
• Attendant is present and equipment in place.
• Communication is established between attendant, entrants’, & supervisor.
• Space Temperature < 100 degrees F.
• LOTO Electrical, Mechanical, and pipes.
• Ventilation established and maintained.
• Additional conditions required on the permit or Entry Supervisor .
 Duties of Entry Supervisor

• Entry supervisors are responsible for the overall permit space entry
and must coordinate all entry procedures, test, permits, equipment and
other relevant activities. The following duties are required:
– Know the hazards – including signs & symptoms of exposure.
– Verifies- all test, specified equipment in place, permit completed.
– Terminate the entry and cancel permit when complete.
• NOTE: anyone can terminate the entry.
– Verify rescue services are available or able to be summoned.
– Remove unauthorized persons from the area.
– Determine whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is
transferred.
 Duties of Attendant

• At least two attendants are required outside the permit space into which entry is
authorized for the duration of the entry operation.
• Attendants duties:
– Know the hazards that may be faced during entry – including signs and symptoms of exposure.
– Be aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure on entrants.
– Continuously maintain an accurate count of entrants.
– Remain out side the permit space during entry operations until relieved – by a qualified replacement.
– Maintain consent communication with entrants.
– Monitor activities inside and outside the space to ensure it is safe for the entrants to remain in the space.
– Summon rescue and other emergency services the moment the entrants need assistance.
– Perform non-entry rescue as specified by the rescue procedures and entry supervisor.
– DO NOT perform duties that might interfere with the attendants primary duty to monitor and protect the
entrants.
– Keep unauthorized persons clear of the of the permit space.
– Keep the entry supervisor aware of any changes, work in progress, equipment operation etc…
 Duties of the Entrants
• All entrants must be authorized by the entry supervisor to enter permit
space, have received the required training, use the proper equipment,
and observe the entry procedures and perform the following:
– Know the hazards that may occur during the entry – including signs or
symptoms related to exposure.
– Properly use the equipment required for safe entry.
– Maintain communication with the attendant at all times.
– Alert the attendant whenever the entrant recognizes any warning signs or
symptoms of exposure or any prohibited condition is detected.
– Exit the permit space as quickly as possible whenever-the attendant to
entry supervisor gives the order to evacuate or entrant detects a unsafe
condition.
 Confined Space Entry Procedures

• Conduct Pre-entry Briefing

• Assemble and check equipment
• Establish Acceptable Entry Conditions
• Conduct initial air sampling
• Execute & Complete Entry Permit
• Station Entry Attendant
• Establish Monitoring of Atmosphere
• Establish Communication
• Execute Hot Work Permit if Applicable
• Post Confined Space Entry Permit
• Enter Space
• Post-Entry Debrief When Entry is Completed