Permit-Required Confined Spaces29 CFR 1910.146

Why Comply????

Confined space entry is a leading cause of occupational fatalities in this country.

Statistics

Standard covers 240,000 workplaces and 12.2 million workers

Workers make 4.8 million entries/year Standard may prevent 85% of fatalities

and nearly 11,000 injuries

Definition of a Confined Space

Limited means of egress

Can be bodily entered

Not designed for continuous occupancy

Definition of Permit-RequiredConfined Spaces

Contains or has potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere

Contains the potential for engulfment Internal configuration that can trap or

asphyxiate entrant Any other serious safety or health hazards

Typical Permit-Required Spaces

Chemical storage tanks

Waste or storage pits Grain bins Underground tunnels Railroad cars

under construction

Typical Non-Permit-Required Spaces

Utility closets Below-grade trenches Storage vaults Utility subbasements

Potential Confined Space Hazards

Engulfment Oxygen deficiency (19.5% or less) Oxygen enrichment (23.5% or higher) Flammable gases or vapors Combustible dusts Toxic substances IDLH atmospheres Physical hazards

Atmospheric Testing

Hazards must be tested in this order:– Oxygen content– Combustibility/flammability– Toxic atmospheres

Entrants must be allowed to observe monitoring

Reasons for Space Ventilation

Maintain oxygen levels above 19.5% Maintain toxic gases and vapors

at acceptable levels

Types of Personal Protective Equipment

Harnesses Retrieval lines Chemical protective

clothing Welding apron/sleeves Respirators Gloves Safety glasses

Safety Department Responsibilities

Formulate and manage the confined spaces program

Maintain a space inventory Maintain a list of “Authorized Personnel” Maintain copies of space permits Direct the confined space training program Maintain rescue equipment Coordinate contractor activities

Supervisor Responsibilities

Conduct a pre-entry briefing Ensure that personnel are evacuated

when necessary Ensure that permits are complete and

removed when work is finished Ensure that all necessary equipment

is returned to its proper location Oversee all necessary confined

space activities

Attendant Responsibilities

Attend pre-entry briefing Know the hazards of the space Control access to the space Maintain communication with entrants Not to enter the space for rescue Summon emergency services Assist rescue efforts from outside the space

Attendant Responsibilities (cont.)

Remain at the site while entrants are inside

Order a space evacuation when conditions warrant such an action

Maintain an accurate count of the number of entrants

Entrant Responsibilities

Attend the pre-entry briefing Know the hazards of the space Use appropriate equipment properlyExit the space if:

– An alarm is activated– Communication is lost– Unknown exposures are encountered– Ordered to do so

Authorized Person Responsibilities

Familiarize themselves with characteristics of spaces

Verify that all hazards and sources of energy have been controlled in the space

Ensure that confined space permit is posted Rescind any permit for noncompliance with

permit requirements

Rescuer Responsibilities

Understand the hazards of the space Be certified in emergency first aid and CPR Understand appropriate entry procedures Know how to use rescue equipment Practice confined space rescues at least annually

Quiz

1. A confined space is defined as having limited egress, can be bodily entered, and is not designed for______________________ and _____________________.

2. All confined spaces must be permit-required. True or False3. The three hazards that must be tested for in a confined space

are __________ __________, combustibility and flammability, and toxic atmospheres.

4. Since entrants will view the hazards while in the space, it is not necessary that they know or review the hazards prior to entry. True or False

5. If a chemical storage tank is empty, it would not be considered a confined space. True or False

Quiz (cont.)

6. Two examples of typical non-permit-required confined spaces are ________________ and ________________.

7. Confined space entry is a leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States. True or False

8. Annual __________ drills are required by the OSHA Confined Space Standard.

9. An attendant should be available to be the first person into the space to conduct a rescue. True or False

10. An entrant should exit a confined space if ordered to do so, unknown exposures are encountered, communication is lost, or _______________________.

Quiz Answers

1. A confined space is defined as having limited egress, can be bodily entered, and is not designed for continuous occupancy.

2. False. Some confined spaces may be classified as non-permit-required.

3. The three hazards that must be tested for in a confined space are oxygen content, combustibility and flammability, and toxic atmospheres.

4. False. Entrants must be familiar with all hazards prior to entering a confined space.

5. False. Just because it is empty does not preclude its being defined as a confined space.

Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. Examples of typical non-permit-required confined spaces are utility closets, below-grade trenches, storage vaults, and utility subbasements.

7. True. Confined space entry is routinely one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities.

8. Annual emergency drills are required by the OSHA Confined Space Standard.

9. False. An attendant should never enter a confined space to rescue unless someone else is available to fill the duties as attendant.

10. An entrant should exit a confined space if ordered to do so, unknown exposures are encountered, communicationis lost, or an alarm is sounded.