CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
• A space that:
• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can enter bodily and
perform work.
• Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit.
• Is not designed for continuous human occupancy.
EXAMPLES OF CONFINED SPACES:
• Tanks • Pits
• Manholes • Pipes
• Boilers • Trenches
• Furnaces • Tunnels
• Sewers • Ducts
• Silos • Bins
• Hoppers • Water supply tower
POTENTIAL HAZARDS IN CONFINED
SPACES
• Oxygen Deficiency • Toxic Materials
• <19.5% or >23.5% oxygen • Carbon Monoxide
concentration • Hydrogen Sulfide
• Combustibles • Welding fumes
• Corrosives
• Methane
• Hydrogen • Electricity
• Acetylene • Mechanical Hazards
• Propane • Mixers
• Gasoline fumes • Crushers
WHY CONFINED SPACE ENTRY IS
REQUIRED ?
• Entry into confined spaces may be necessary to periodically perform the following function
• Construction
• Maintenance
• Removal
• Inspection
• Cleaning
• Repairing
HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH CONFINED
SPACE
• Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation arising from toxic atmosphere and oxygen deficiency.
• Oxygen Enrichment.
• Flammable or Explosive Atmosphere.
• Flowing liquid or free flowing solid.
• Injuries arising from fire and explosion.
• Electrocution.
• Falls from height.
• Critters (Dangerous insects)
ENTRY
• The act by which a person
intentionally passes through an
opening into a permit required
confined space.
• Any part of the body passing
through the opening is
considered entry.
ENTRANT ATTENDANT
• The employee who will physically • The employee who remains
enter the confined space to outside the confined space and
perform the work. monitors the entrant(s); guards
the space against unauthorized
entry; warns the entrants of any
unusual conditions; and summons
the rescue personnel if needed.
PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE
• A Permit-Required Confined Space is confined space that has one or more of
the following characteristics:
• Contains or has the 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 become trapped or
asphyxiated; or
• Contains any other serious safety or health hazard.
ENTRY SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBLE
PERSON
• The employee responsible for • The person directly responsible for
coordinating the entry into the the work being performed in the
confined space. This must be a confined space. This can be the
team leader or foreman. Team Leader, Foreman, or other
person qualified by training and
experience.
PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE
ENTRY PROCEDURE
• Isolate the space
• Ventilate the space
• Conduct Tailboard
• Complete permit
• Test the atmosphere
• Enter the space
ISOLATE THE SPACE
FROM ALL HAZARDS
• Close Valves
• Double block & bleed, or
• Blank flange
• Empty the Space
• Depressurize, vent & drain
• Lockout/Tagout Equipment
• Electrical sources
• Rotating/reciprocating parts
• Hazardous materials
• Clean residue from the space
VENTILATE THE SPACE
• Use mechanical ventilation
• Fans
• Air horns
• Ventilate at the rate of at least four (4) volumes per hour
• Larger spaces require more ventilation
• Make sure air supply is not contaminated
• Ventilation air supply must be from fresh air uncontaminated with flammables, toxins,
etc.
CONDUCT A TAILBOARD BRIEFING
• Entire crew must attend
• Attendants, entrants, entry supervisor
• Review hazards of entry and work
• Review PPE
• Review procedure for contacting rescue
• verify rescue available
• Complete permit
TEST THE ATMOSPHERE
• In this order:
• Check for Oxygen Content:
• At least 19.5% and less than 23.5%
• Check for Combustibles:
• Less than 10% of the LEL
• Check for Toxic Gasses:
• Most commonly carbon monoxide (PEL <35 ppm)
• or any other hazardous materials as determined by the use of the space.
ATTENDANT RESPONSIBILITIES
• To monitor entrants during the job and during entry & exit to help insure their safety.
• The attendant may not abandon his post for any reason while personnel are in the space unless relieved by
another qualified attendant.
• To monitor atmospheric conditions in the space prior to and during entry.
• To control access to the confined space.
• To summon emergency assistance as needed.
• To assess hazards in and around the space, and take action on the same.
• To keep records of confined space work, such as air test results, personnel entry/exit, etc.
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITIES
• To assure that the space has been adequately ventilated, isolated, emptied, or
otherwise made safe for entry.
• To immediately exit a space, without question, upon word of the attendant, no
matter what the reason.
• To follow all safety rules and procedures that apply to the job.
• To be familiar with the work to be performed and the procedures that apply to
the job.
• To use the appropriate PPE whenever necessary.
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• To assure adequate protection is provided to the entrants by verifying
adequate lockout/tagout and that all hazards are securely isolated.
• To support the attendant’s authority in controlling access to a confined space.
• To verify that all personnel have exited prior to closing the space.
• To assure that all personnel involved are aware of the hazards associated with
the space.
• To assure that rescue services are available prior to entry.
WHEN THE JOB IS DONE:
• Remove all personnel, tools, and debris from the space. Sign off the log.
• Close the space.
• Cancel the permit.
• Review the job with the host employer (hazards, problems, other
employers, etc.)
