Confined Spaces – Part 2

An Overview of the WISHA Confined Spaces

Standard

Purpose of This Module

This two-part module provides basic information for employers about the hazards of confined spaces, how to control these hazards and what WISHA requirements apply when employees enter confined spaces.

Some employers may elect to contract out confined space work. In those cases, employers are obligated to fully inform contractors of the confined space hazards at their facilities.

This overview does not replace the confined spaces standard. For the complete WISHA confined space rule requirements, see Confined Spaces Chapter 296-62 Part M

Confined Spaces Overview

Part 2 of this overview will cover the following:

Employee training needs,

Emergency and rescue services.

Confined space worker duties,

Confined space entry procedures,

Entry into a Confined Space

How is entry into a confined space classified?

Written Permit System – required for any high hazard entry

Alternate Entry Procedures – allowed for controlled atmospheric hazards only

No Permit – allowed only if all hazards are eliminated

Hazards must be determined before entering a confined space.

Confined Space Entry Procedures

What are “alternate entry procedures”?

These procedures have fewer requirements – no written permit system is required.

If the only hazard is atmospheric (toxic gas or oxygen deficiency) and it is controlled by ventilation, then you may use less restrictive alternate entry procedures.

Don’t assume that the only hazard is atmospheric without investigation and reliable information.

Confined Space Entry Procedures

What are alternate entry requirements?

Employees must be trained on confined space hazards,

The atmosphere in the confined space must be tested before and during entry,

Continuous ventilation must be used,

If a hazardous atmosphere is detected, or ventilation stops, the space must be promptly exited.

Confined Space Entry Procedures

The Importance of Air Monitoring

Air monitoring is required whenever there is a possibility of hazardous atmospheres.

Atmospheric conditions can change quickly in a confined space.

A portable gas monitor with an alarm should be used by the person entering the confined space and checked frequently.

Confined space gas monitor

Confined Space Entry Procedures

Ventilation of Confined Spaces

Fresh air blowers or exhaust fans are typically used.

Blower or fan should not be undersized.

Watch out for pockets of unventilated contaminated air.

A blower intake must be placed in an area of clean air.

Exhaust ventilation must be used when welding or using chemicals in a confined space.

Don’t place a blower intake near a running engine!

Confined Spaces Entry Procedures

If the atmosphere can’t be controlled or there are other uncontrolled hazards, you must use the written permit system for entry into a confined space.

If you are unsure about the hazards, you must assume a high hazard and use a written permit system for entry.

Only if you are sure there are no hazardous atmospheres or other hazards, can you avoid the required procedures for entry.

What Affects Your Options

Written Permit System

What is required in a written permit system?

A written permit for each entry

Extensive employee training

Employee assigned duties

The Written Permit

The permit states what is done and who does it:

Describes each individual’s roles and responsibilities,

Specifies safety equipmentand respiratory protection,

Tells how long the job will take,

States hazards found in the space.

For a sample permit, click here

The Written Permit

The written permit also includes the following:

• Name and telephone of the rescue service

• Methods used to control the hazards

• Acceptable entry conditions

• Air monitoring testing results

• Communication procedures

• Necessary equipment including PPE

Respiratory Protection

Respirators may be required to enter a confined space safely

A supplied air respirator is required for oxygen deficiency or toxic chemical levels that are immediately dangerous to life or health.

Respirators must be worn to enter a space with an oxygen deficiency or toxic chemical levels above the PEL.

A respirator that does not supply fresh air is not recommended for use in a confined space.

Respiratory Protection

Employees must have complete training on the proper use of these respirators.

Employees must also be medically evaluated to make sure they can safely wear these respirators.

Employees who use respirators

To see complete requirements for respirator use, click here.

Employee Training

General Requirements

Train before assigning duties

Train before changing duties

Train whenever operations present a new hazard

Employee Training

General Requirements

Retrain whenever there is reason to believe:

• There are deviations from the established procedures,

• There are inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge of procedures.

Employee Training

General Requirements

Training must establish proficiency.

The employer must certify that this training has been done and meets the confined space regulations.

Training must be done by qualified knowledgeable trainers. Use professional trainers as needed.

Confined space training

Designated Jobs

Any permit-required confined space entry has designated jobs for employees:

Entrant – person who actually goes into the confined space

Attendant – person watching the entrant

Entry Supervisor – supervises the operation

Each position requires specific training and assigned duties.

Permit System Job Duties

Entrant’s Knowledge and Duties

Knows and understand the hazards in the space,

Knows and uses equipment properly,

Is able to communicate with the attendant.

Permit System Job Duties

Entrant’s Knowledge and Duties

Knows what the acceptable entry conditions for the space are,

Exits the space when ordered, when alarm sounds, or when dangerous situation is noted.

Knows how to contact the attendant if conditions become unacceptable,

Permit System Job Duties

Attendant’s Knowledge and Duties

Knows and understands the hazards in the space,

Knows the behavioral effects from exposures to hazards in the space,

Knows and tracks who is in the space at all times,

Warns away an unauthorized person who gets near or enters the space,

Permit System Job Duties

Attendant’s Knowledge and Duties

Stays outside the confined space at all times and monitors activity constantly,

Communicates with entrants to monitor conditions and knows when to order an evacuation,

Knows how and when to summon emergency help and does not enter space to rescue,

Knows how to do non-entry rescues.

Permit System Job Duties

Entry Supervisor Knowledge and Duties

Knows the hazards in the confined space,

Checks the permit procedures,

Terminates or cancels the permits as needed,

Verifies that rescue services are available,

Removes any unauthorized person from the space.

Rescue in a Confined Space

Confined space rescue is very dangerous

60% of all confined space fatalities are would-be rescuers.

Rescuers often enter a confined space without thinking about the hazards.

Rescues cannot be done without proper equipment and training.

Not all fire departments can do confined space rescuing.

Rescue Services

Using Outside Services

Carefully evaluate the prospective service’s ability to perform as needed.

Tell the service about the hazards inside the space.

Let the service practice mock rescues in the confined space.

Many fire departments are not trained or not available to do confined space rescue. Check with them first.

For further information on evaluating a rescue service, click here.

Rescue Services

Using In-house Service

• Air-supplying respirators are usually needed

• Rescue team must be trained on confined space rescues

• Rescue team must also know first aid & CPR

• Rescue team must practice rescues yearly

• A serious and expensive decision

Non-entry Rescue

What is a non-entry rescue?

Non-entry rescue is retrieving a person out of a confined space without going into the space.

Entrants must wear full body harnesses with a retrieval line attached.

Best suited for manholes and tanks and cannot be used in every situation.

Non-entry Rescue

Non-Entry Rescue Equipment

A retrieval line is attached to a mechanical device or a fixed anchor point outside the space.

The mechanical device must be capable of lifting a person from a 5-foot deep space.

Special rescue tripods are available.

It is usually impossible to pull a person out of a confined space unassisted.

Additional Information

More information is available on WISHA webpageThis presentation is just an overview and does not cover all requirements.

For more information on how to put together a confined space program for your workplace, go to:

http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/publications/App/Document/ConfSpac.doc

For additional assistance, you can call one of our consultants. Click below for local L & I office locations:http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/consultation/regional_consultants.htm

Confined Spaces Quiz

Question 1

When is a written permit system required to enter a confined space?

a) Anytime you enter a confined space

b) When the hazards are not all eliminated

c) When a hazardous atmosphere is detected

d) When the confined space can’t be ventilated

Confined Spaces Quiz

Question 2

Which of the following is not a duty of an attendant?

a) Constantly monitors the confined space

b) Keeps in communication with the entrant

c) Enters the confined space to rescue an entrant who has collapsed

d) Summons help when an entrant collapses

Confined Spaces Quiz

Question 3

When should you call the local fire department to rescue workers in a confined space?

a) In an emergency

b) After all attempts to rescue the workers have failed

c) After you have checked with them first

d) Never, they don’t know what to do