Confined Space EAR Training

b. Confined Space (EAR) 29 CFR 1910.146. A logo with a lion head Description automatically generated.

What is a Confined Space?. DANGER CONFINED SPACE ENTER BY PERMIT ONLY.

A Confined Space is Characterized by: Large enough to enter & perform work and Has limited/restricted entry/exit and Not designed for continuous occupancy.

What is a Confined Space?. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, process vessels, and pipelines..

Permit-Required Confined Space PRCS) Written Plan Outline.

Permit-Required Confined Space PRCS) Written Plan Outline.

Entry Permits. Permit Space to be entered Purpose of entry Date & authorized duration of permit Authorized entrants Authorized Attendants Name & Signature of entry supervisor Hazards of permit space to be entered Isolation of hazard control measures Acceptable entry conditions.

Entry Permits. Results of initial & periodic atmospheric monitoring Rescue & emergency services Communication procedures Equipment required for entry & rescue operations Other necessary information & other required permits.

Permit-Required Confined Space. OSHA uses the term "permit-required confined space“ or “permit space” to describe a 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 to engulf an entrant; Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by floor which slopes downward and tapers to smaller cross-section; Contains any other recognized safety or health hazard, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires, or heat stress..

Some common Examples of Confined Spaces Ships/Barges Process Vessels Chemical Tanks Mobile Tanks Non-Process Areas Drilling and Drill Sites Pipelines.

Definitions: Engulfment Surrounding & effective capture of the entrant by a liquid or finely divided (flowable) solid substance that can be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system Can exert enough force on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction or crushing.

Definitions: Entry Action by which the entrant passes through the opening into permit-required confined space Entry includes ensuring work activities in the space and is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant’s body breaks the plane of the opening into the space.

Definitions: Isolation Process by which the permit space is removed from service & completely protected against the release of energy & material into the space by such means as: Blanking or blinding; Misaligning or removing sections of lines, pipes or ducts; Double block & bleed system; Pipes or ducts; Lockout or Tagout of all sources of energy; Blocking or disconnecting all mechanical linkages.

Definitions: Line Breaking Intentional opening of pipe, line or duct that is or has been carrying flammable, corrosive or toxic material, inert gas or any fluid at volume, pressure or temperature capable of causing injury.

Responsible Personnel for Entry. DANGER CONFINED SPACE ENTER BY PERMIT ONLY.

Who is a Responsible Person? Authorized Entrants Attendants Entry Supervisor Rescue and Emergency Services Employees responsible for rescue duties must be trained: As authorized entrants & In specific rescue duties.

Authorized Entrant An employee that is authorized by the employer to enter a permit space.

Duties of Authorized Entrants Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on mode, signs or symptoms & consequences of exposure A rescue starts with entrants making good observations!! Ensure that equipment is used properly Communicate with the attendant as necessary This enables the attendant to monitor the entrant(s) status and enable attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space Entrant(s) will alert the attendant whenever: The entrant recognizes any warning sign(s) or symptom(s) of exposure to a dangerous situation The entrant(s) detect a prohibited condition The Entrants must Exit from space immediately when: An order to evacuate is given by the attendant or entry supervisor The entrant recognizes any warning sign(s) or symptom(s) of exposure The entrant(s) detect a prohibited condition The evacuation alarm is activated.

Duties of Attendant Individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors authorized entrants & performs all attendant’s duties assigned in the employer’s permit space program.

Duties of Attendant Knows the hazards that may be faced during entry Be aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure to authorized entrants Continuously maintain an accurate count of authorized entrants Remain outside permit space during entry operations (until relieved by another attendant or entrant(s) exits the space) Communicates with authorized entrants Monitors activities inside & outside the space Summons rescue & other emergency services (if needed) Performs non-entry rescues, as specified by employer’s rescue procedure (Ex. Use to tripod or rescue pole) Performs no duties that might interfere with primary duty to monitor & protect authorized entrants.

Duties of Entry Supervisor The Entry Supervisor is the person responsible for: Determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at the permit space where the entry is planned For authorizing the entry For overseeing entry operations For terminating entry Note: The entry supervisor may serve as attendant or authorized entrant, if that person is trained & equipped as required for each role filled. Duties of the entry supervisor may be passed from one individual to another during entry operations.

Duties of Entry Supervisor The Entry Supervisor: Knows the hazards that may be faced during entry, including the signs or symptoms & consequences of exposure Verifies, by checking that appropriate entries have been made on permit, all tests specified by the permit have been conducted & that all procedures & equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit & allowing entry to begin Terminates entry & cancels permit.

Duties of Entry Supervisor The Entry Supervisor: Verifies that rescue services are available & means for summoning are operable Removes unauthorized individuals who enter or attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations Transfers responsibility for permit space entry operations to other crews at intervals dictated by hazards.

Duties of Rescue & Emergency Services Emergency Services are personnel designated to rescue employees from permit spaces Note: Rescue personnel may be industry emergency personnel, an outside rescue service or a combination of teams. The employee who designates rescue & emergency services shall: Evaluate prospective rescuer’s ability to respond to a rescue in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified Shall establish an Onsite rescue team or arrange for rescue by outside rescue service/team which will respond promptly to a request.

Confined Space Entry Procedures (Permit-Required Entry).

Characteristics: Internal Configuration: Open – no obstacles, barriers or obstructions with space (Ex. water tank) Obstructed – permit space contains some type of obstruction that rescuer would need to maneuver around, such as baffle, vessel internals, access platforms, etc. Large equipment, such as ladders or scaffold brought into a space for work purposes, would be considered obstruction if positioning or size of equipment would make rescue more difficult.

Characteristics: Elevation Elevated – permit space where entrance portal or opening is above grade greater than > 4 feet Usually requires knowledge of high angle rescue procedures because of difficulty in packaging & transporting patient to ground from portal Non-Elevated – permit space where entrance portal or opening is above grade less than < 4 feet Will allow rescue team to transport injured employee normally, without additional rigging.

Characteristics: Portal Size Restricted – portal less than < 24” in least dimension Too small to allow rescuer to simply enter space while using SCBA Too small to allow normal spinal immobilization of injured employee Unrestricted – portal greater than > 24” in least dimension These portals allow relatively free movement into and out of permit space.

Characteristics: Space Access Horizontal – portal located on side of permit space Use of retrieval lines could be difficult Vertical – portal located on top of permit space; rescuers must climb down, or at bottom of permit space, rescuers must climb up to enter space May require knowledge of rope techniques or special patient packaging to safely retrieve downed entrant.

Entry Permit System includes the following: Method of obtaining a permit Entry supervisor endorsement of the permit Process for allowing entry Verification of information Availability of permit to authorized entrants Verification that all necessary equipment is in place Ensuring that entry procedures are understood Permit is posted by entrance Method for the Entry supervisor to cancel the permit at any time.

Entry Permit System (Criteria) Initiator / Requestor Pre-entry preparation checklist Hot Work? SDS (Safety Data Sheet)? Atmospheric testing complete? PPE? Self-Rescue Equipment? Rescue Service Available?.

Atmosphere Testing. DANGER CONFINED SPACE ENTER BY PERMIT ONLY.

Definitions: Hazardous Atmosphere An atmosphere that may expose employees to risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (which is unaided escape from the permit space), injury or acute illness from one or more following causes: Flammable gas Vapor or mist in excess of 10% of the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL).

Definitions: Hazardous Atmosphere Airborne combustible dust at concentration that meets or exceeds the LFL Note: Concentration may be approximated as condition in which dust obscures vision at distance of 5 feet or less Atmospheric oxygen concentration <19.5% or > 23.5%.

It is impossible to detect a hazardous atmosphere without instruments designed for that purpose. It should never be assumed that a confined space is safe or that an employee will be fine if they don’t linger in a confined space or perform dangerous work there..

Types of Atmospheric Hazards Oxygen Content Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere less than < 19.5 (asphyxiation) Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere greater than > 23.5 Flammability (LEL) Toxic Contaminants (such as H2S).

Atmospheric Testing (Always in this ORDER!) Oxygen content (19.5% to 23.5%) Flammability (below 10% of the lower explosive limit – LEL - for gases, vapors, mists or combustible dust) Toxic Gas (below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), Threshold Limit Value (TLV) or Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of a substance) AND… Use a calibrated direct reading instrument.

Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which dose or PEL could result in employee exposure in excess of dose or PEL Note: Atmospheric concentration of any substance not capable of causing death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury or acute illness due to health effects is not covered.

Any other atmospheric condition that is IDLH Note: For air contaminates which OSHA has no dose or PEL, other sources of information, such as SDSs, published information & internal documents can provide guidance in establishing acceptable atmospheric conditions.

A condition that poses immediate or delayed threat to life or cause irreversible adverse effects or interfere with individual’s ability to escape unaided from the permit space.

Gas Detectors Test for: Oxygen Content Flammability Toxicity.

Atmosphere Testing Personal Monitors. [image] MSA Solaris Multigas Detector with Datalogging 4 Gas CO O2 H2S LEL Methane.

Unstable or dangerous work surfaces Falling Objects Insects or animals Biological.

Multiple Employers Entry Coordination. DANGER CONFINED SPACE ENTER BY PERMIT ONLY.

Host employers must coordinate entry operations Entry supervisors must determine that entry operations are consistent with the permit Acceptable entry conditions must be maintained Task must be understood and designated before entry is granted permission Rescue Plans / Procedure must be communicated with the multiple employers.

Rescue Emergency Services. DANGER CONFINED SPACE ENTER BY PERMIT ONLY.

Rescue Teams Personnel designated to rescue employees from permit spaces Note: Rescue personnel may be industry emergency personnel, outside rescue service or a combination of teams.

Rescue and emergency services Employer who designates rescue & emergency services Evaluate the prospective rescuer’s ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified.

Rescue Retrieval Systems. DANGER CONFINED SPACE ENTER BY PERMIT ONLY.

Testing Process by which hazards that may confront entrants are identified & evaluated Testing includes specifying tests that are to be performed in the permit space Note: Testing enables employers to devise & implement adequate control measures for protection of authorized entrants & determine is acceptable entry conditions are present immediately prior to & during entry.