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Confined or Enclosed Spaces

Recognizing theResponsibilities

Course GoalsImprove awareness of potential confined space

hazards.Describe confined spaces and hazards.Understand responsibility in confined space

activities.

Why Attend?Confined space accidents occur frequently.Approximately 200 deaths each year.Personal safety and health.Government regulation.

Common Misconceptions I don’t smell or see anything funny. It’s alright to enter. I’ll just stick my head in and take a look. I’m not really entering

the space. Everything checks out. We can go to work, and put the testing

equipment away. I’ll be able to hold my breath and get out if anything does happen.

Accident CausesIgnorance or overconfidence contribute to

many confined space accidents.

Definitions

Confined or enclosed space

Permit - required confined space

Attendant Authorized entrant

Entry supervisor Entry permit Hazardous atmosphere Immediately Dangerous

to Life or Health (IDLH)

As defined by the standard, we will discuss the following:

Designed for Continuous Occupancy

Not aConfined

Space

Limit Means ofEntry/Exit

Large Enoughto Enter

Hazardous Atmosphere

•Toxic•02 Enriched•02 Deficient•Fire/Explosion•Etc.

Engulfment

Dry/Wet Product Traps

Occupant

Internal Configuration

•Sloped Floors•Foot/Hand Traps•Entrapment•Etc.

Other Hazards•Electrical•Radiation•Noise•Vibration•Moving Parts•Heat/Cold•Poor •Communication

Non-permit Confined Space

Classifying Confined Spaces

Permit-required Confined Space

No NoNoNo

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes YesYesYes

AttendantAn authorized individual stationed outside of a

confined space, who has the responsibility of observing the authorized entrants.

Authorized EntrantAn employee authorized by the employer to

enter a confined space, to work in a confined space, and who has received appropriate training to perform assigned duties under the entry permit program.

Entry SupervisorThe person responsible for determining if

acceptable entry conditions are present, for authorizing entry, for overseeing entry operations and for terminating entry as required.

EntryThe act by which a person intentionally passes

through an opening into a confined space. Entrant is considered to have entered as soon as any part of the entrant’s body breaks the plane of an opening into the space.

Entry Permit

The printed document that is provided to allow and control entry into a confined space.

Hazardous Atmosphere

An atmosphere which exposes an employee to a risk of death or incapacitation, injury or acute illness.

Immediately Dangerous to Life of Health (IDLH)

IDLH indicates any condition which possesses an immediate threat of loss of life.

Entrant Responsibilities An entrant must:

know the hazards which may be faced during entry. recognize the signs and symptoms of exposure to a hazard. understand the consequences of exposure to a hazard. maintain contact with the attendant. notify the attendant when the entrant self-initiates evacuation. be aware of PPE such as retrieval lines, respirators or clothing, needed

for safe entry and exit. use PPE properly. protect themselves from external hazards. perform no other duties that interfere with primary duty.

Attendant Responsibilities An attendant must:

maintain an accurate count of all persons in the space. recognize potential confined space hazards and monitor activities

inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe for entrants to remain in the space.

maintain effective and continuous communication with authorized entrants during entry.

summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that authorized entrants need to escape from permit hazards.

have first aid and CPR certification.

Entry Supervisor Responsibilities

An entry supervisor must: determine that the entry permit contains the proper information

before authorizing or allowing entry. determine at appropriate intervals whenever acceptable entry

conditions are not present. cancel the entry authorization and terminate entry whenever

acceptable entry conditions are not present. take the necessary measures for conducting an entry operation

such as closing off a confined space and cancel the permit, once the work authorized by the permit has been completed.

Possible DangersOxygen deficiencyCombustible / flammable / explosive

atmospheres.Toxic gases or vaporsPhysical hazardsCorrosive chemicalsBiologicalsUnknowns

How Hazards Occur Previously stored products. Unexplained leaks / spills. Chemical reactions. Operations accomplished within space. Inerting with non-flammable products.

Chemical Exposure You can be adversely exposed to a harmful chemical through

several routes of entry into the body including: eyes / skin contact absorption inhalation ingestion injection

Harmful effects may not show up until several hours after a single exposure, others can be immediate.

Medical treatment should be obtained as soon as possible. Review of MSDS allows prevention of toxic exposure.

Physical HazardsEvaluation of a confined space must consider

the following potential hazards: temperature extremes noise slick / wet surfaces falling / sharp objects.

Effects of Oxygen

15-19% = Decrease ability to work strenuously 12-14% = Respiration increases, pulse rises, impaired coordination,

perception, judgement. 10-12% = Respiration further impaired, lips turn blue. 8-10% = Mental failure, fainting, unconsciousness, ashen face, nausea

and vomiting 6-8% @ > 8 min = 100 % fatal 4-6% = Coma in 40 seconds, convulsions, respiration ceases, death.

Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide

The following is expressed in parts per million 10 Permissible exposure limit 8 hrs.50-100 Mild eye and respiratory

irritation1 hr.200-300 Marked eye and respiratory

irritation1 hr.500-700 Unconsciousness or death 30-60 min.1000 and up Unconsciousness or death minutes

Space LargeEnough to

Enter

LimitedMeans of

Entry/Exit

Designedfor

ContinuousOccupancy

HazardousAtmoshere

Engulfment InternalConfiguration

Other

AHU #s 1-6 North SectionMechanical Room

Tight Space Electrically -driven movingparts (fan)

Sewage Ejection Pit, NorthSection Mechanical Room

Methane,hydrogen sulfide,oxygen deficiency

Sewage Pit Not to beentered byPersonnelPermit-required

Boiler Condensate Return Pit,South Basement MechanicalRoom

Water Pit Permit-required

Boilers, South BasementMechanical Room

Natural gas,steam, dust

Tight spaces Permit-required

Water Tower, North 2 Water Tight spaces,electrically-driven movingparts (fan)

Permit-required

Cooling Tower, North 2

Water Tight space,electrically-driven movingparts (fan)

Permit-required

Confined Space Hazard Assessment

Monitoring Before employees enter any confined space, the

internal atmosphere must be tested with a calibrated direct - reading instrument, for oxygen content, flammable gases, vapors and toxic air containment. Employees or their authorized representatives must be given the opportunity to observe the pre-entry testing, and any subsequent testing of the space.

Testing Test BEFORE entering the space. Test at different levels. Test for:

oxygen content flammable or explosive substances. Toxic gases or vapors.

Test Before and During work where the atmosphere may change. Some examples are: welding drilling sludge removal cleaning with solvents

Testing When testing the atmosphere of a confined space, it is necessary to test all

areas (top, middle, bottom) of a confined space. Some gases or vapors are heavier than air and will settle to the bottom of a

confined space. Some gases are lighter than air and will be found around the top of a confined

space. If testing reveals oxygen deficiency, or the presence of toxic gases or vapors,

the space must be ventilated and re-tested before workers enter. Never trust your senses to determine if the air in a confined space is safe. You can not see or smell many toxic gases or vapors, nor can you determine

the level of oxygen present. The atmosphere shall be tested with an instrument capable of sounding an

audible alarm.

TestingEntry shall not be allowed or shall be voided if:

A flammable vapor or gas greater than 10% of the LEL is present.

An airborne combustible dust at a concentration that obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet exists.

An oxygen concentration below 19.5% or above 23.5%.

Permit SystemThe employer shall prepare a permit in a

standardized format through which the employer identifies all conditions which must be evaluated to ensure safe entry.

Let’s review the permit.

Ventilation Ventilation by a blower or fan may

be necessary to remove harmful gases or vapors from a confined space. The method and equipment chosen are dependent upon: The size of the confined space

openings. The gases to be exhausted. The source of make-up air.

When air is added to the space this is positive ventilation; when air is removed, it is termed negative ventilation.

Ventilation Under certain conditions where flammable gases or vapors have

displaced the oxygen level, but are too rich to burn forced air ventilation may dilute them until they are within the explosive range.

If inert gases are used in the confined space, the space should be well ventilated and re-tested before a worker may enter.

A common method of ventilation requires a long hose. One end of the hose is attached to a fan and the other lowered into a manhole or opening.

Never use pure oxygen to ventilate a confined space. Ventilate with fresh air from a clean source.

VentilationIf work inside the space could generate

flammable vapors or produce an oxygen-deficient or hazardous atmosphere, continuous forced air ventilation must be provided and monitored. No internal combustion pumps, generators, or blowers can be

used in any confined space. When setting up to enter a confined space, make sure that the

location of this type of equipment will not allow carbon monoxide to enter the space.

Communication Contact between the entrant and the attendant is extremely

important and constant communication must be maintained. Communication may be accomplished by:

• Sight• Verbal• Radio• Rope• Hand signals

Communications must be identified, in place and operable for emergency purposes.

Personal Protective Equipment

For most confined spaces, the minimum PPE required is safety glasses, safety shoes, and hard hats.

Additional PPE will be required as defined by the hazards that may be encountered in the confined space. Gloves Protective clothing Hearing protection Respirators Goggles / face shield

Needed EquipmentPrecautionary EquipmentWarning signsBarricades and pylonsPortable lighting (preferably low voltage)Fire extinguishers

Equipment Lighting and electrical equipment Low-voltage (12 volt) lighting is preferred inside confined

space All other lighting sources must be protected by an approved

ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) Lighting and tools should be on separate circuits with GFCI’s Transformers, GFCI’s, and disconnects located outside the

confined space All electrical tools used inside the confined space must use a

GFCI.

Safety Equipment Safety harness and lifeline

A safety harness and lifeline must be worn by all personnel entering a permit space.

Where the entrance is too restricted to allow removal of a person equipped with a safety harness, use a shoulder type or wrist harness.

When making a vertical entry into a permit space which is 6 feet deep or more, fall protection is required.

Safety EquipmentMaintain safety equipment in top working order:

Always inspect equipment prior to use. Report any defects or malfunctions to your

supervisor immediately. Never wear or use defective equipment.

LaddersWhen a ladder is needed for entry into the

confined space, they shall be secured and shall not be removed while anyone is inside the confined space.

Welding and BurningWelding and burning is referred to as hot work.

Hot work means any operation capable of providing a source of ignition, such as welding, cutting, burning , or heating.

Any hot work inside a confined space will result in the space becoming a permit-required confined space.

Welding and Burning When welding or burning in a confined space check:

Hose connections for leaks Hoses are removed from the space at the end of the work

shift, or any time entrants leave the space. Welding machines and gas cylinders are outside the space. All electric and gas supplies are shut off and equipment

removed from the confined space when operations are suspended.

All welding and burning equipment have shutoff valves inside the space and that the attendant can quickly secure gas and /or electric supply outside the space.

Isolation Isolation is the process where a confined space is removed from

service and completely protected against any release of energy and /or material.

Isolation is achieved by bringing any energy source to “zero.” Sources of energy include:

• chemical• electrical• pneumatic• mechanical• hydraulic

Equipment may have many sources of energy.

IsolationLock and Tag Out all sources of energy.

De-energizing electrical sources, preferably at disconnect switches remote from the equipment.

Blanking and bleeding create an absolute closure of a pipe, line or duct by fastening a solid plate that completely covers the opening.

Securing mechanical moving parts within the confined space with latches, chains, chocks, blocks or other devices.

Warning Signs of Exposure(To Hazardous Substances)

Shallow or rapid breathing Dry throat or cough Intoxicated feeling Blurred vision Chest pains Feeling disoriented Loss of coordination Weakness Skin itching or rash

How to Respond If someone in a confined space signals for help or

becomes unconscious: Call for help and evacuate employees from the area. Continue running ventilation equipment if required for the

space. Remove victim using the rescue equipment, rather than

entering space. Get medical attention as soon as possible. Isolate the area until the cause of the accident is identified and

corrected.

General Safety Practices Never enter a confined space if you are not authorized to do so. Get out if you feel dizzy, light headed or sick. Report any hazardous conditions or injuries. Never remove respirators while working in a confined space. Don’t smoke in confined spaces. Stay alert at all times. Concentrate on the job you are doing at all times. Respect and handle equipment properly.

Ten Basic Rules for Confined Space Entry

Planning sessions by qualified persons Training the personnel Testing of atmosphere Continuous monitoring of atmosphere Standby people / communication Entry permit Ventilation Tools and equipment Lockout / Tag-out Rescue plans

RescuePerson for safety watchSecondary observerWritten planSafety signalsCommunication with outsideRemember, 50% of deaths during rescues happen

to the rescuer.

Rescue TeamThe employer shall have either an in-plant

rescue team or an arrangement under which an outside rescue team will respond to a request for rescue service.

Rescue PlanA rescue plan must be developed and reviewed

by the entry supervisor, attendant, and the entrant or his / her authorized representative prior to entry. The plan should include:

• Who to call• How to call• How personnel are to be removed from the permit space

in case of an emergency.

In-plant Rescue When using in-plant rescue

services: Personnel assigned to an in-plant

rescue team are provided with and trained to properly use required PPE.

The in-plant rescue team is trained to perform the assigned rescue functions and has received the training required for authorized entrants.

Practice at least once every twelve months.

FA and CPR certified (at least one member of the team.)

Outside Rescue Team Rescuers must be aware of the

hazards they may confront when called upon to perform rescues.

Must be adequately trained and equipped to perform rescues of the type needed.

Rescuers must be at such a distance to respond in a timely manner.