CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

A Confined Space is any space that:

 Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work
 Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (e.g., tanks, tankers, silos, storage bins, vaults
and pits)
 Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy

TYPES OF CONFINED SPACES:

1. Permit-Required Confined Spaces

- a permit-required confined space is a confined space that meets 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 be trapped or asphyxiated
by inwardly converging walls or a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a
smaller cross-section
 Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard

CONSIDERATIONS FOR A PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE:

A. Atmospheric Monitoring
Uses a specific monitoring instrument to detect a hazardous atmosphere. It should never be
assumed that a confined space is safe or that an employee will be fine if he or she doesn’t linger
in a confined space or perform dangerous work there. A person can be overcome in a hazardous
atmosphere in a matter of moments. Even quick and simple work in an area not recognized as a
confined space can result in injuries or death by asphyxiation or as a result of an explosion.

Characteristics of atmospheric conditions to be met:

 Oxygen Content must at least be 19.5% to 23.5%

 Flammability must be below 10% of the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL)
For gases, mists or combustible gas
 Toxic Gases must be below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) or Threshold
Limit Value (TLV) or Time-Weighted Average of a substance

Sequence of testing for atmospheric hazards:

a. Test for OXYGEN content

b. Test for COMBUSTIBLE GASES or VAPORS
c. Test for TOXIC GASES or VAPORS
 B. Alternative Entry Procedure
Entry on a confined space can be waived of a written program, permit, attendant or rescue team
provided that the following conditions are met:

 The only hazards on a confined space is atmospheric

 Hazards can be controlled with the use of a continuous forced-air ventilation
 Atmosphere is tested periodically during entry

If at any given time a hazardous atmosphere is detected during the entry, the following are
required:

 Each employee must leave the space immediately.

 The space must be evaluated to determine how the hazardous atmosphere
developed.
 Steps must be taken to protect the employees from the hazardous atmosphere
before a subsequent entry takes place.

2. Non-Permit Required Confined Spaces

- Permit-required confined spaces may be reclassified as non-permit-required confined
spaces if certain criteria are met. If these criteria are met, rescue teams, special PPE, etc.,
are not required. The criteria include the following:

 The space poses no actual or potential hazardous atmospheres.

 All hazards within the space can be eliminated without entry into the space,
such as locking and tagging equipment so it cannot be operated while
employees are working inside.
 Forced-air ventilation to control atmospheric hazards does not constitute
elimination of hazards.

NOTE:
It is important to note that the difference between an alternative entry procedure and a
nonpermit-required confined space is the use of forced-air ventilation. If forced-air ventilation is
used during an entry, it cannot be classified as a nonpermit-required confined space. It must be
classified as an alternative entry procedure.

CONFINED SPACE (PERMIT-REQUIRED) ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

 Implementation of measures necessary to prevent unauthorized entry into the permit-required

confined space
 Identification and evaluation of hazards in the permit space before employees enter it
 Development of procedures and practices necessary to conduct safe permit space entries
 Maintenance of equipment to ensure safe entry into a permit space
 Evaluation of permit space conditions during entry operations
  Provision of at least one attendant outside the permit space (an explanation of duties and
training requirements of the attendant follows)
 Designation of employees who have active roles in entry operations and identification of the
training requirements for those employees
 Development and implementation of procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services
 Development of a permit system to include preparation, issuance, use and cancellation of
permits
 Coordination of entry operations when more than one employer is involved
 Cancellation of a permit after the work is complete
 Review of entry operations to correct problems that may have occurred during the entry
operation
 Review of the written program annually, making revisions as needed

EQUIPMENT USED FOR SAFE ENTRY ON CONFINED SPACE:

- Gas-detection equipment
- Ventilating equipment
- Communication equipment if necessary
- PPE to be used when engineering controls such as ventilation equipment is not practical
- Lighting
- Barricades to prevent unauthorized entry
- Equipment, such as ladders, to provide for safe access to and egress from the permit space
- Rescue and emergency equipment, unless this service is provided
- Any other equipment that would be used for safe permit space entry

TRAINED PERSONNEL FOR CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

1. Authorized Entrants
Authorized entrants are employees who have been trained and approved to enter a confined
space. These employees must have had training regarding the potential hazards of the confined
space, as well as the signs and symptoms of overexposure to any of the hazards. They should be
familiar with all equipment, know if the equipment is explosion-proof, and know how to tell
when it is properly grounded. Authorized entrants must know how to communicate with the
attendant, especially if a prohibited condition or a hazardous situation arises. Entrants must
agree to exit immediately if an order is given to do so or an alarm goes off. Entrants must wear
full-body harnesses with retrieval lines attached to the center of their backs or above their
heads or wristlets if full-body harnesses are shown to be infeasible.

2. Authorized Attendants
Authorized attendants must be able to monitor situations inside and outside confined spaces so
they can order entrants to evacuate a space if a dangerous situation arises in either place.
Attendants must be well aware of the hazards of the confined space and also aware of the
physical and behavioral effects of hazard exposure so that they would notice the effects in any
of the entrants. If an emergency situation arises in the confined space, the attendant is the
person responsible for summoning emergency services and performing whatever rescue
operation he or she has been trained and equipped to perform. Another responsibility is
 keeping all unauthorized entrants out of the confined space. Under no circumstances is an
attendant permitted to leave the space until replaced by another attendant or all entrants have
come out of the space.

3. Entry Supervisors
Entry supervisors must know the hazards of confined spaces and the signs and symptoms of
overexposure to those hazards. They must verify that permits are filled in, the appropriate
testing and procedures have been completed, and all equipment is in place. The supervisor is
the person responsible for knowing when and under what conditions to cancel a permit and
terminate the work. Supervisors must also remove unauthorized persons. Finally, they are
responsible for making sure rescue services are available and the means for calling them are
operable.

4. Rescue and Emergency Services

A rescue team must have the capability to reach any victim within a time frame that is
appropriate for the hazard in the permit space. The rescue team must be proficient in
performing the needed rescue service. The contractor must also inform the rescue team of all
types of permit-required confined spaces they have and give them time to practice and develop
rescue plans.

THE WORK PERMIT SYSTEM

1. Employers are required to develop and implement a permit system. This system will ensure all
steps have been taken to protect employees from hazards that may be in a confined space.

2. Entry supervisors are required to sign the completed permit, authorizing the permit operations
to begin. Authorized entrants must have the opportunity to review the permit before they enter
the permit space. Also, a copy of the permit must be posted at the entry point of the space.

3. An estimated time for an entry operation must be provided on the permit. Once the time has
expired, the permit is canceled and the operation must cease. In addition, the entry supervisor
must cancel the entry when the operation is complete or when a condition arises in the space
that was not allowed under the original permit conditions. Unpermitted conditions must be
noted on the entry permit.

4. The permit must be retained for one year so it can be reviewed when the written program is
reviewed.

Reference: OSHA Confined Space Standard, 29 CFR 1910.146

OSHA Standard for Safety Training and Education, 29 CFR 1926.21