Confined Space

Safety Guide
Learn about the various hazards of confined spaces, the
importance of an established rescue plan, and how to create a
permit program to ensure safe operations in confined spaces.
 The Unique Danger of
Confined Spaces

Confined space accidents

are a particularly concerning
topic in occupational health
and safety due to the fact that
they often involve successive
victims; the hazards that these
spaces pose often impact
both the initial workers and
their rescuers. Every year, an
average of 92 occupational
fatalities occur in confined
spaces, and of these, 60% are
would-be rescuers as people
attempt to save their coworker,
or first responders enter the
space with no knowledge of the
present danger.

The first step to preventing these

fatalities is recognition. Confined spaces may be
encountered in any industry, and unfortunately in many cases workers do not realize that
they are in this type of dangerous space. While some spaces are well understood to be
confined, such as manholes, other spaces are not quite as obvious. Due to the nature
of the situation, hazardous conditions arise that would not normally happen in an open
workplace, including restricted airflow, dangerous buildup of gases, having to complete
work close to machinery, and limited means of escape. When an emergency occurs in a
confined space, the event often leads to multiple fatalities due to a lack of recognition,
testing, monitoring, or a comprehensive rescue plan.

Confined spaces present particular risks to both workers and responders. The intent of
this guide is to increase awareness of these risks and encourage greater confined space
safety by assisting employers in determining and establishing their confined space
program. This guide does not address every possible hazard in these spaces, and each
job site is unique. Each facility should evaluate its own situation and fully address the

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 specific hazards that are present through detailed procedures, training, and evaluation.
The material addressed herein is not meant to be a sole guidance but instead should be
used as a supplemental resource as employers aim to meet regulatory requirements.

Definition of Confined Spaces

Exactly what can be considered a “confined space” varies depending on the specific
type of work being conducted and the industry. However, the definition is generally
recognized according to certain circumstances which are described in OSHA standard
1910.146. There are two different types of confined spaces, ones which require an
established permit and safety program in order to enter, and ones which don’t.

Generally speaking, confined spaces are areas that:

z Have limited means of entry or exit

z Are large enough for a person to enter to perform assigned work

z Were not designed for continuous human occupation

www.creativesafetysupply.com/wall-sign/confined-space/

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 By definition, a permit-required confined space contains all of the above as well as one
or more of these characteristics:

z Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere

z Contains a material with the potential to engulf a person

z Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be

asphyxiated or trapped by inwardly converging walls, or by a floor that
slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section

z Contains any other recognized serious safety/health hazards, such as

exposed live wires, unguarded machinery, or the potential for heat stress

Employers have the responsibility to evaluate their workplace and determine if: a) there
are any confined spaces, b) whether these are permit-required spaces. The purpose of
issuing a permit is to communicate to employees that the hazards of a space have been
eliminated or controlled, and it is safe for trained and authorized personnel to enter.
These permits are posted next to the entrance of the confined space and are developed
by employers themselves; OSHA does not issue confined space permits.

Examples of common confined spaces include storage tanks, silos, utility tunnels, boilers,
septic tanks, mining tunnels, pipelines, manholes, and underground electrical vaults.

It is important to note that the exact size of a space isn’t necessarily what defines it as
a “confined space”. Even large tanks or pits may contain hazards that will classify them
as permit-required. There may be only one way to get in or out that involves the use
of a ladder, and it’s this difficulty of escape that can end up trapping the entrant and
impeding rescue. Additionally, atmospheric hazards are often present even in a large
area such as manure pits.

It is essential to conduct a thorough hazard assessment and carefully regard all the
areas in your work facility. Many fatalities have occurred in areas that neither the

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 employer or employee considered to be a confined space in the first place. If you
are unsure about your facility, there are resources available to help. You may contact
OSHA directly for an evaluation over the phone or onsite inspection. Online tools
such as the OSHA Confined Spaces Advisor guide you through questions and make
recommendations on whether or not a space is technically confined, and whether a
permit may be required for it.

Common Hazards in Confined Spaces

One of the main reasons why confined spaces are so dangerous is that they can be
very deceiving. Often, a space will be entered on multiple occasions with nothing going
wrong, and a worker will re-enter under no indication of any new danger. However,
hazards can develop during operations or over time; for example, a steel water tank
that hasn’t been entered for several months may unexpectedly contain an atmosphere
that has a dangerously low level of oxygen due to rusting in the interior of the tank. Or,
workers might paint a space using flammable epoxy paint, increasing the risk of the
outbreak of fire.

Safety is only ensured through continuous monitoring. Thirty percent of fatalities in

confined spaces occurred in areas that were found safe to enter upon initial testing.
Conditions constantly fluctuate and toxic substances become more threatening in these
spaces because the nature of the space prevents any means of dissipation or escape,
resulting in a dangerous buildup.

Looking for more information about

communicating hazards in your workplace?
Check out our free HazCom Guide and others:

www.creativesafetysupply.com/
free-safety-guides

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 There are two main categories of confined space hazards: atmospheric, and physical.

Atmospheric Hazards

Atmospheric hazards affect air quality and present immediate threats to

a worker’s health or life, including impairing their ability to get out of the
space and causing acute illness or death. These are the most profound
hazards in confined spaces, and should be considered foremost.
Most often workers are in danger due to either a lack of oxygen or the
presence of gases at toxic levels.

Not only must atmospheric conditions be verified upon entry, they

should also be continuously monitored the entire time the space is
occupied. OSHA requires that atmospheric testing be conducted in this
order for:

 Oxygen concentration. If the concentration in the space is below 19.5%,

this results in oxygen deficiency and leads to impaired judgement, loss
of consciousness, and eventual death. If it’s above 23.5%, this results in
an oxygen-enriched environment and is a fire hazard. Both situations are
extremely hazardous to workers’ health and safety.

 Flammable material, including combustible dust. Workers cannot enter

the space or continue work if the concentration of material exceeds 10%
of its lower explosive limit (LEL) or lower flammable limit (LFL).

 Presence of toxic gases and vapors. These contaminants have permissible

exposure limits (PELs) established by OSHA. Work should be halted if the
atmospheric concentration of any substance has reached or surpassed its
PEL and the substance is known to cause acutely toxic effects.

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Most modern testing instruments have the ability to provide
simultaneous readings of multiple gases, and can conduct testing
remotely so it is not required to enter the space. All depths must be
tested since some gases are heavier than others; it is recommended to
test in four-foot increments. Gases are especially dangerous if they’re
colorless and odorless, as workers have no idea of the danger. The
three most commonly found toxic gases in confined spaces are carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and methane (CH4).

Important note: A worker cannot assume that the space is safe

to enter each time they attempt to do so. Even multiple entries
throughout the course of a shift or task require periodic testing to
confirm that it is still safe.

Physical Hazards

These mainly concern equipment and dangerous conditions. A confined

space program must consider a wide variety of existing or potential
physical risks, including mechanical hazards (moving equipment or
pressurized systems); entrapment hazards (tunnel cave-ins); engulfment
(burial of worker by liquid or loose material such as grain); thermal hazards
(heat exhaustion or extreme cold); noise hazards (magnified sound
or sound that impedes communication between entrants and rescue
personnel); general safety hazards (slips, trips, and falls, obstructions,
falling objects).

Electrical hazards are important to consider, as one of the most common

reasons to enter a confined space is to complete work on electrical
equipment. Since there often is not much room, employees are at greater
risk of coming into contact with equipment and receiving a shock.

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Two other physical hazards that are especially dangerous within confined
spaces are fire and engulfment. These often occur in spaces that are of
large size, such as tunnels and silos, but are deadly due to the limited
means of escape or presence of free-flowing materials. When a fire breaks
out in a confined space, workers often find their only exit blocked, and
rescuers are unable to reach them. In silos, workers typically enter the
space to unclog a blockage and when the unstable ground gives way,
they become submerged in material such as grain or sawdust and quickly
asphyxiate. Even with a large surface area, confined spaces present
unique dangers.

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 The Entry Team

The entry team is a group of designated employees who are responsible for completing a task
within a confined space. Typically, this includes an entrant, attendant, and entry supervisor,
with one worker inside the space, another standing outside to maintain visual or auditory
contact, and a supervisor onsite. A large confined space or large-scale task may involve
several entrants and several attendants.

Role of Entrant

z Performs assigned job within the confined space

z Trained on proper entry procedures, entry equipment and PPE, and

prohibited activities

z Has a thorough understanding of the existing hazards or potential

hazards of the space

z Understands signs and symptoms of health effects that result from

exposure to atmospheric hazards (ex: dizziness, numbness, incoherence)

z Stays in communication with the attendant and obeys commands

to evacuate

Role of Attendant

z Remains outside of the confined space unless relieved by

another attendant

z Communicates with the entrant through constant auditory or

visual contact

z Continually monitors activities both inside and outside the space to

ensure safety, staying alert to any behavioral changes of the entrant

z Has a thorough understanding of the existing hazards or potential hazards

of the space

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 z Prevents the entry of unauthorized personnel

z Is prepared to either call for a rescue team or perform rescue themselves

only if the confined space program authorizes them to do so

Role of Entry Supervisor

z Has a thorough understanding of the existing hazards or potential hazards

of the space

z Ensures that atmospheric testing and appropriate preparations have taken

place to establish safe conditions

z Ensures that these safe entry conditions are maintained throughout

the duration of the task

z Signs confined space permit, then cancels this permit once the task
is completed

Role of Employer

z Responsible for developing and implementing the overall confined

space entry program and works closely with the entry supervisor

z Provides necessary PPE and other equipment for all employees

z Informs any contract workers of the confined space program

z Determines what type of rescue operation will be required and

secures the availability of the rescue team

z Has a thorough understanding of the existing hazards or potential hazards

of the space
 Types of Rescue

Depending on the severity of the emergency, there are different rescue methods that
can be utilized for confined spaces. It’s essential for employers to assess the confined
spaces that exist within their facility and determine ahead of time which rescue
operation may be most appropriate or probable:

z Self-rescue, the preferred method and first approach for confined spaces.
Employees must be trained to recognize their own symptoms of exposure or to
recognize hazards so they can escape the space unaided. This provides the best
chance of getting out of the space unharmed, and in many situations entrants
must act as quickly as possible.

z Non-entry rescue, the next best method. This is also executed quickly but
prevents more personnel from being exposed to hazards through the use
of rescue aids and other equipment, such as chest/full body harnesses and
mechanical retrieval devices.

z Entry rescue, regarded as the last resort. In extreme emergencies, this may be the
only solution. Rescuers enter the confined space to provide emergency assistance
such as CPR, or in most cases, retrieve the victim.

The reason behind the high fatality rate of would-be rescuers is that many coworkers
enter a confined space to help the initial victim without recognizing the hazards or
understanding that they are only qualified or equipped to attempt a non-entry rescue. A
confined space program’s foremost goal is to ensure that self-rescue, or other means of
fast escape, can be attained in the event of exposure to hazards.

The number one cause of death in confined spaces is asphyxiation. When a worker begins
to asphyxiate, the period of time available for a successful rescue is very limited; a person
may withstand just four minutes of oxygen deprivation before death takes place. This is
known as the four-minute rule, or the four-minute limit. When responders arrive past this
window of time, the rescue attempt often turns into a retrieval operation instead.

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Shop top-ranking products
for confined spaces, safety and labeling

www.creativesafetysupply.com
 The Importance of a Rescue Plan

Given that two-thirds of all confined space deaths occur to would-be rescuers, the
importance of a rescue plan cannot be understated. OSHA outlines requirements in its
standard 1910.146(k) and establishes employer responsibilities for emergency services.
The employer may either designate onsite rescue personnel and supplement with an
offsite rescue team or simply secure offsite services. They must verify the training
of onsite personnel and their ability to respond, as well as verify the availability of the
offsite rescue service, each time a confined space permit is scheduled.

If an onsite rescue team is established, the employer has the responsibility of:

z Providing the PPE needed to conduct rescues safely, and ensuring that employees are
proficient in the use of this PPE

z Training the employees to perform rescue duties

z Ensuring that employees complete this training successfully and are established as
proficient, authorized entrants

z Ensuring that at least one member of the rescue team holds current certification in first
aid and CPR

If an offsite rescue team responds, the employer has the responsibility of:

z Informing the team of the known hazards and potential hazards they may encounter when
called upon to perform rescue

z Informing the team of the location of the emergency, number of victims, length of time
victims have been exposed to the hazard, and suspected cause of the accident

z Readily providing all information on the confined space entry permit, including isolation
procedures, atmospheric testing results, and safety
data sheets (SDS)

Rescues should be practiced annually in either simulated or actual spaces. Employers

need to make their spaces accessible so both onsite and offsite rescue services can
complete this practice. The rescue plan should be re-evaluated whenever conditions

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 within the space change, workers discover new hazards, there are changes in equipment
or personnel availability, or the current rescue plan is found to be deficient.

Fundamentals of a Permit-Required Confined Space Program

Employers must assess their

workplace and determine if the
confined spaces onsite are permit-
required spaces. If permit spaces
do exist and it’s necessary for
workers to enter them to perform
tasks, employees must be informed
of the existence and location of
these spaces, as well as hazards
and potential hazards posed.
Then the employer must develop
a written permit-required confined
space program that addresses the
procedures and practices for safe
operation.

An entry permit is a document

created by the employer that may
be used as a checklist to show
that all the necessary steps have
been completed to ensure that the
confined space is safe to conduct
work in. Each particular confined space operation needs its own entry permit that
addresses the specific hazards of the area and the task at hand. The completed permit
should be signed by the entry supervisor and posted at the entry portal, or otherwise
made available to the entry team so the team understands they may begin.

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 The following requirements must be addressed, at minimum, before work starts in a
permit-required confined space:

1) Completing workplace evaluation and hazard identification procedures.

z Review established confined space procedures and begin by assuming that all
confined spaces within the facility are permit-required spaces

z Determine both actual and potential permit-required spaces. Remember there

are two ways the safety of a space can change: hazards may evolve within the
space (rusting of a steel tank depleting the air of oxygen), or external hazards
may migrate into the space (workers painting with a flammable epoxy paint)

z All existing and potential hazards must be identified

2) Posting warning signs and other visual communication tools at confined

space entrances.

z The confined area must be clearly identified, with effective warning signs posted
at any location where people may enter the space

z Communicate that workers must be authorized to

enter, and that a permit must be established and
posted before allowed entry

3) Preventing unauthorized entry.

WS31827

z The employer must take measures to ensure that unauthorized employees and
passersby understand they cannot enter. This can be done with a combination
of signage such as the warning signs, and physical barriers such as railings and
barricade tape

z Attendant enforces this prevention until confined space work is completed

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 4) Designating the employees that will have active roles as entrants and
attendants.

z Determine which workers will be involved in entry operations and ensure they
understand their specific duties. These include entrants, attendants, and
supervisors

z Provide each employee with the training necessary to fulfill

their duties

z Emphasize the importance of teamwork and having safety partners; no one

should ever enter a confined space by themselves

5) Providing training and establish safe practices for

permit space entry.

z Ensure every worker involved understands the proper precautions for the confined
space, including characteristics of the space, hazard controls, testing/monitoring
results and what they mean, how to communicate within the space, and how rescue
procedures will take place

z Employees should be trained on the signs and symptoms of exposure to

atmospheric hazards

z Other training topics depend on work activities and

specific industry: respiratory protection, electrical
safety, lockout/tagout, fall protection, noise, machine
guarding, etc.

z Training must be redone whenever conditions within

the space or operations change WS31755

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 6) Providing PPE and other confined space work equipment.

z Employers are responsible for providing and maintaining the proper equipment, training
workers on how to use this equipment, and for enforcing correct use and wear

z Signs should be posted to remind workers they cannot enter the confined space
without first donning the proper PPE

z Beyond PPE, essential confined space equipment includes: communication,

lighting, air supply and/or ventilation, testing and monitoring, barriers and shields,
ladder and other equipment for safe egress, and rescue/emergency equipment
such as retrieval devices

z Communication equipment may range from verbal communications, hand signals,

electronic equipment such as intercoms, or light signals

7) Establishing procedures for ensuring that pre-entry

testing and preparations are completed.

z Acceptable entry conditions and how they will be

attained should be specified. Includes the use of
hazard controls such as ventilation, Lockout/Tagout,
isolation, blanking or blinding, physical guards or other
types of barricading equipment, removing potentially
engulfing material, electrical safety procedures, and
WS31471
explosive hazard safeguards

z Ensure that once pre-entry preparations are completed, acceptable conditions can be
maintained throughout the duration of the entry

z Ensure that egress equipment such as fall arrest systems and ladders are in proper
working order

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 8) Developing a system for continual monitoring of the space.

z Ensure that the space will be continually tested and monitored to affirm that
acceptable conditions are maintained throughout the course of operations

z Provide each entrant with the results of any testing that is conducted

z Entrants must be given the opportunity to observe both

the pre-entry and subsequent testing of the permit space

z If evaluations are believed to be inadequate, the space

must be re-tested in the presence of the worker who
requested the re-evaluation

9) Developing a means of rescue and other

emergency measures.
LS31182

z Ensure emergency services are secured for the entrants.

This may involve both an onsite rescue team and an offsite supplemental service

z If onsite rescue team, ensure that at least one member of this team is certified in
first aid and CPR

z If offsite rescue team, ensure their availability for the duration of the confined
space operation

z Communicate to all employees that unauthorized personnel must never attempt a

rescue themselves

10) Developing a procedure for the closure of confined space operations.

z When the task is completed, the confined space permit is canceled by the
entry supervisor; duration of a permit cannot exceed the time required to
complete operations

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 z Procedures must be established for closing off the permit space, including
covering or barricading the entrance and leaving safety signage posted

z All canceled entry permits must be saved and filed by the employer for at least
one year

11) Issuing the entry permit.

z Once each of the above steps have been completed

and documented for a confined space task, the CONFINED SPACE
ENTRY PERMIT
entry permit may be issued. This permit confirms DATE/TIME OF ISSUE:

that pre-entry procedures have been met and the SITE LOCATION:

EXPIRATION:
space is safe to enter by authorized entrants PURPOSE OF ENTRY:

SITE HAZARDS:

z The entry permit identifies:

CONTROL MEASURES:

 Purpose of the entry CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY:

 Date and duration TEST RESULTS:

EVENT COMMUNICATION VIA:

 Personnel that will serve as entrant(s), AUTH. ENTRANT(S):

attendant(s), an entry supervisor AUTH. ATTENDANT(S):

ENTRY SUPERVISOR:

STANDBY PERSON:

 Hazards of the space and measures used to RESCUE SERVICE:

control or eliminate these hazards PHONE #:

REORDER PART#: CONFINEDPERMIT-TAG

1-866-777-1360 | www.creativesafetysupply.com

 Acceptable entry conditions

CONFINEDPERMIT-TAG

 Results of initial and periodic testing

 Rescue and emergency services that may be summoned and the means for
summoning (such as a phone number)

 Equipment to be provided

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

  Communication procedures to be used between entrants and attendants to
maintain contact throughout duration of entry

 Any other necessary information

12) Maintaining the written permit-required confined space program.

z Employers are responsible for implementing and maintaining this program, or

may otherwise designate specific employees to do so on their behalf

z Employers must ensure that contractors are familiar with the established
confined space program so work between regular employees and contractors can
be coordinated, and there will not be any actions that endanger personnel

z OSHA mandates that the confined space program must be reviewed if: hazardous
conditions not covered by the permit develop during operations, unauthorized
entry occurs, there is a change in the configuration or use of the space, an injury
or near miss occurs during entry, or employees complain about the effectiveness
of the program

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 Tips and Tools for Confined Spaces

Creating a successful confined space program requires the right tools and a safety-
focused mindset. These supplies enhance your program and make it easier to follow the
steps of your facility’s specific permit-required confined space procedure.

Signs and other forms of communication help workers stay safe

Communication is vital to confined space safety, and

one of the first steps to a confined space program is to
clearly mark the entrance of any type of confined space.
OSHA-compliant confined space safety signs inform
employees of the existence, location, and dangers of these
areas. Make sure your warning signs and other notices are
compliant and industrial grade with a LabelTac® industrial
label printer, which helps you create signs and labels for
your entire facility. These labels have compliant colors,
phrases, and symbols to warn workers of danger and
www.creativesafetysupply.com/
ensure effective communication. They also provide stark
labeltac-printer-models/ reminders not to enter confined spaces without authorization
or the proper PPE.

Set up barricades to keep unauthorized personnel out

The entrances to confined spaces should be guarded by a railing or other type of barrier.
This will prevent unauthorized workers from entering, and prevents objects from falling
through the opening, which may end up injuring the entrants. Protect workers in your
confined spaces with railings and SafetyTac® inline printed floor
marking tape. These provide visual cues or physically
prevent people from being able to enter. Floor tape is
especially beneficial, as you can customize messaging
to provide specific warnings (such as “Entry Can Be
Fatal” or “Buddy System is Required”), and you’ll have
the ability to clearly outline the entire entrance of the
confined space. www.creativesafetysupply.com/safetytac-inline-print/

Confined Space Safety Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

Ensure entrants and attendants have the essential PPE

Workers need a variety of personal protective equipment as they perform tasks in

confined spaces. Depending on the nature of the work, employers may be required to
provide hard hats, hearing protection, respiratory protection, and fall arrest systems. PPE
signs remind workers to don this essential equipment before they enter confined spaces
and help keep safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Take confined space safety seriously

One of the most common problems with confined spaces is workers assume that if they
entered safely once, they’ll be able to enter again. People often disregard the potential for
hazards to develop, or think that a large surface area makes the space exempt from being
classified as confined. Precautions need to consistently take place so confined spaces don’t
endanger workers’ lives. The importance of recognition, training, communication, and rescue
planning should never be disregarded. Due to the variety of hazards involved in confined
space operations, and the fact that lives are at stake, both employers and employees should
remember that regulatory requirements are minimum standards and the aim is to exceed
these at all times.

Confined space safety is one of the most complex subjects in occupational health and
safety because it requires the extensive knowledge and practice of a wide range of
specializations. A facility should take considerable measures to ensure its unique spaces
are thoroughly understood, and to ensure that any confined space accident does not result
in successive fatalities. Recognition and training are critical; having prior knowledge and
being prepared can spare your facility from suffering a common occupational tragedy.

Becoming OSHA compliant with LabelTac® helps with

avoiding OSHA fines and dangerous working conditions.

OSHA complaint labeling allows for the creation of an environment

that has clear visual guidance for all employees. Test out these
compliant labels yourself by requesting a box of samples!

What’s included:
- A selection of LabelTac® label samples
- SafetyTac® shape samples for floor marking
- A comprehensive installation guide
CREATE A
SAFER,
SMARTER
FACILITY.

Creative Safety Supply is your one stop shop for...

Label & Sign Printers Virtual Floor Signs Lean & Safety Posters

Ready-to-Order Labels Pallet Alignment Markers Training Books & DVDs

Industrial Floor Signs Foam Tool Organizers Spill Kits & Sorbents

Floor Marking Tapes 5S Tools & Supplies Facility Branding

...and much more!

www.creativesafetysupply.com | 1-866-777-1360