1 This Door Leads to a Room If You Never Enter the Room, IS IT
STILL A ROOM?
Slide 3
2 We NEVER go in there. Evaluate a space based on on whether
you enter the space or not! Evaluate a space based on
definitionsnot on whether you enter the space or not!
Slide 4
WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? A Confined Space is a space that
meets all three criteria: Large enough to enter and perform work in
Has limited means of entry and exit Is not designed for continuous
human occupancy Some examples: Tank, pit, silo, tunnel, well,
sewer, underground utility vault
Slide 5
4 Large Enough to Bodily Enter Average Person Capable of Full
Body Entry bodily enter and Perform Assigned Work There Must be a
Means of Entry This could be pre-existing opening or one the
employer has mandated be created
Slide 6
5 Restricted Entry or Exit Porthole, portable ladder, vertical
fixed ladder, hatchway, etc. Internal configuration which makes
movement in space difficult KEY PHRASE: Route/Method of Exit
Creates an Impediment to Self Rescue
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6 Not Meant for Continuous Human Occupancy The space is not a
workstation Employees may have assigned tasks which put them in
those spaces on a routine basis as an excursion to flip a switch,
check a reading, clean a filter or trap, etc. Does include longer
excursions like maintenance, service, or repair
Slide 8
PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE (PRCS) A permit required
confined space is one that contains or has the potential to contain
serious safety or health hazards Examples of hazards include:
engulfment, toxic atmosphere, puzzling configuration, heat or cold
stress, slipping hazards, flammable atmosphere, oxygen deficiency
Sewers, tanks, vessels, wells are examples of PRCS. Entry occurs
when your body breaks the plane
Slide 9
CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS TWO MAJOR FATALITY FACTORS Failure to
recognize and control the hazards associated with confined space
Atmospheric hazards Physical hazards Inadequate or incorrect
emergency response Rushing in spontaneously to rescue man down At
least 60% of all fatalities are would be rescuers
Slide 10
JOURNEY FROM AN IDENTIFIED CONFINED SPACE TO A PERMIT REQUIRED
CONFINED SPACE
Slide 11
10 Is the CONFINED SPACE permit required ? A confined space is
a Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS) when one or more hazards
exist in the space : 1.Actual/potential atmospheric hazards 2.
Materials that could engulf entrant 3. Internal configuration that
could trap or asphyxiate entrant 4. Any other serious safety or
health hazard
Slide 12
11 Analysis for Hazards Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Health-IDLH Capable of Causing Death Capable of Causing
Incapacitation Conditions Cause Inability to Self Rescue
Slide 13
HAZARDS Oxygen deficiency - inadequate ventilation, consumption
of oxygen from welding, bacterial action (decomposition), rust
Oxygen displacement - simple asphyxiates like nitrogen or carbon
dioxide replace O 2 Flammable atmospheres from gases, vaporized
solvents, enriched O 2 Toxic gases - decomposition of matter
generates hydrogen sulfide (heavier than air), carbon monoxide from
welding, chlorine from bleach
Slide 14
OXYGEN DEFICIENCY 19.5% = minimum for safe entry 16% - impaired
judgment and breathing, accelerated heartbeat 14% - faulty judgment
and rapid fatigue 6-10% - nausea, vomiting, inability to perform
simple tasks, unconsciousness less than 6% - rapid loss of
consciousness, death in minutes
Slide 15
14 Analysis for Explosivity H 2 S and CH 4 (methane) are
naturally occurring and are flammable Standard requires such
airborne hazards to be controlled to below 10% of the LEL. (Refer
to MSDS) Remember to consult conversion sheet which comes with air
monitor - some flammables can require adjustments of +/- 30%
Slide 16
FLAMMABILITY HAZARDS Ignition source may be as simple as static
electricity or spark from a tool Ignition triangle Oxygen Gas,
vapor, or dustIgnition source
17 Analysis for Engulfment Flowable materials in containers
which are intact can be assumed to keep their integrity The volume
of the material in the space must be sufficient to cause death or
impediment to self rescue
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18 Internal Configuration Sloping Floors and Walls Bottoms of
Feed Hoppers or Silos Drainage areas Sluice ways Baffles High and
Low Pipes Low Ceiling Especially Hazardous when combined with
engulfment hazards
Slide 20
19 Other Serious Hazards Exposed, Live Electrical Circuits
Unguarded Mechanical Hazards Critters Slippery Surface Noise
Vibration Heat Poor Visibility Others
Slide 21
HEAT STRESS - SYMPTOMS If the body cant cool itself through
sweating, heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur Heat exhaustion
symptoms: headache, dizziness, weakness, confusion, vomiting,
fainting, pale clammy skin What to do? Move to cool area, elevate
legs, remove heavy clothing, drink cool water, apply wet cloth to
skin Heat stroke symptoms: dry pale skin with no sweating
Slide 22
HEAT STRESS - CONTINUED Heat Stroke symptoms: hot red skin that
looks sunburned inability to think straight, seizure,
unconsciousness what to do? Call 911, move victim to cool area,
loosen heavy clothing, place icepacks at armpits & groin How to
protect yourself: work during coolest part of the day, use spot
ventilation, and use buddy system drink plenty of cool water, a cup
every 15 minutes, take frequent breaks, acclimatization avoid
alcohol or caffeine, certain medications may increase risk
Slide 23
PROCEDURES Conduct pre - entry evaluation, including a pre job
discussion Identify & eliminate all potential hazards that
could enter the space - atmospheric and physical Use forced air
ventilation, perform lock out tag out if needed Complete the Entry
Permit. Who is the entrant, attendant, supervisor?
Slide 24
PROCEDURES (CONT.) Conduct initial monitoring with Gas detector
and fill out results on Permit Keep gas engines a safe distance
away Use full body harness for PRCS; set up retrieval unit; use two
way communications
Slide 25
JOB DUTIES AUTHORIZED ENTRANTS Know the hazards that may be
faced during entry Wear appropriate PPE Maintain communication with
Attendant Recognize signs of overexposure Evacuate space ASAP when
given order or unsafe condition or overexposure detected AN
EMPLOYEE WHO IS AUTHORIZED BY THE EMPLOYER TO ENTER A CONFINED
SPACE
Slide 26
25 AUTHORIZED ENTRANT cont. Must communicate with the attendant
as necessary to enable the attendant to monitor their status and to
enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the
space
Slide 27
26 AUTHORIZED ENTRANT cont. ENTRANT MUST ALERT ATTENDANT
WHENEVER: Entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of
exposure to a dangerous situation Entrant detects a prohibited
condition
Slide 28
27 AUTHORIZED ENTRANT cont. ENTRANT MUST EVACUATE AS QUICKLY AS
PRACTICAL WHENEVER: Attendant or supervisor orders so Entrant
recognizes warning signs/symptoms of hazardous exposure Entrant
detects prohibited condition Evacuation alarm is activated
Slide 29
Job Duties For a Confined Space ATTENDANT Maintain position
outside entrance AT ALL TIMES while entrants are in confined space
Recognize signs and symptoms of overexposure Prevent unauthorized
access Maintain communication with entrants Initiate emergency
response when required
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29 ATTENDANT cont. Remain outside the space unless relieved by
another attendant Know possible behavioral effects of hazards in
entrants Continuously maintain an accurate count of authorized
entrants in the permit space and ensure that there is a means for
identifying authorized entrants (i.e.. Rosters, ID badge)
Slide 31
30 ATTENDANT cont. Communicate with entrants to monitor their
status Alert entrants to evacuate if attendant detects: prohibited
condition behavioral effects of hazards in entrants dangerous
situation outside space That s/he can no longer perform as
attendant
Slide 32
31 ATTENDANT cont. Summon rescue/emergency services as soon as
it is determined entrants may need assistance to escape
Slide 33
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Upon recognition of emergency, entrants
leave space ASAP Emergency = any condition such as energy release
or hazardous atmosphere detected Attendant contacts COC via phone
to call 911 if entrant injury occurs or entrant is experiencing
signs of overexposure or oxygen deficiency Use retrieval equipment
to remove entrant Do NOT enter space!!!!
Slide 34
33 ATTENDANT cont. UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL Warn them that they
must stay away If they have entered the space, advise them to leave
immediately Inform authorized entrants and supervisor if
unauthorized personnel have entered the space
Slide 35
JOB DUTIES ENTRY SUPERVISOR Conduct pre entry evaluation and
discussion Ensure all personnel are aware of hazards Implement
control procedures as needed, such as ventilation Coordinate
initial testing of space Complete Entry Permit
Slide 36
35 ENTRY SUPERVISOR cont. Verify that rescue service, if
required, is available and that the means for summoning them are
operable Sign the permit indicating that entry may begin Ensure
removal of unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to
enter the permit space during entry operations
Slide 37
36 ENTRY SUPERVISOR cont. AUTHORIZE & OVERSEE ENTRY!
Determine that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the
entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained at
intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within
the space, and whenever responsibility for entry operations is
transferred
Slide 38
37 ENTRY SUPERVISOR cont. TERMINATES ENTRY When operations
covered by permit are completed When a condition that is not
allowed under the permit arises in or near the space
