Permit Required Confined Space Training Guide

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Permit Required Confined Space Training Guide

• This Program Is Provided to Protect Authorized
  Employees That Will Enter Confined Spaces and May
  Be Exposed to Hazardous Atmospheres, Engulfment
  in Materials, Conditions Which May Trap or
  Asphyxiate Due to Converging or Sloping Walls, or
  Contains Any Other Safety or Health Hazards.

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What Is a Confined Space

• It is large enough or so configured that an
  employee can bodily enter and perform work.
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit
  (I.E. Tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins,
  hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may
  have limited means of entry).
• In not designed for continuous employee
  occupancy.
• NOTE annually there are 62 fatalities and 12,643
  injuries and illnesses contributed to confined
  space hazards.

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What Is a PERMIT-RQUIRED Confined Space

• Permit required confined space (permit space),
  means a confined space.
• that has one or more of the following
  characteristics
• Contains or has a 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 covering walls or by a floor which
  slopes downward and tapers to a smaller
  cross-section.
• Contains any other recognized safety or health
  hazard.

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Confined Space Hazards

• Atmospheric Hazards
• Oxygen Deficiency
• Combustible
• Flammable
• Explosive
• Toxic gases / Vapors / Dust / Mists
• Other Possible Hazards
• Rodents / snakes / spiders
• Poor lighting
• Wind weather

• Physical Hazards
• Unguarded machine parts
• Thermal hazards
• Exposed electrical circuits
• Slip / fall hazards
• Engulfment
• Entrapment
• Hazardous chemicals
• Biological agents
• Noise
• Vibration

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Hazardous Atmospheres

• Flammable Atmospheres
• Enriched oxygen levels
• Vapors of flammable liquids
• Chemical reaction
• Combustible dust
• By-products of work

• Toxic Atmospheres
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Welding operations
• Discharge of hazardous chemicals

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Hazardous Atmospheres (Continued)

• Irritant (Corrosive) Atmospheres
• Primary
• Exert no systemic toxic effects ( on the entire
  body)
• Chlorine , ozone, sulfuric acid
• Secondary
• Weakens defense reflexes
• Benzene/ ethyl-chloride/ refrigeration

• Asphyxiating Atmospheres
• 20.9oxygen 78.1 nitrogen 1 argon
• O2 consumption lt17 hypoxia
• Welding
• Number of people
• Increased CO2
• Colorless odorless
• O2 lt 14 16 physiologic effects

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General Safety Hazards

• Mechanical
• Electrical or mechanical equipment that would
  cause injury LOTO
• Inspect for leaks vapors, gases valves closed
• Physical Hazards
• Pipe temperatures hot or cold
• Noise
• Vibration
• Structural Hazards
• Horizontal pathways
• Overhead structural members
• Vertical shafts

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Controlling Hazards

• First evaluate the workplace does it meet the
  criteria that requires a permit.
• Post signs warning personnel to stay out of the
  area.
• Use barriers as required.
• Follow the Confined Space Entry Permit.
• Conduct air monitoring to identify and evaluate
  hazards.
• Identify the conditions that will make the space
  acceptable to enter safely.
• Flush, ventilate, or otherwise eliminate
  atmospheric hazards before allowing entry.

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Confined Space Entry Permit

• This is the Key to the confined space safety
  program.
• The permit identifies
• The space to be entered.
• Purpose, date and authorized length of entry.
• Names or workers authorized to enter, attendant
  and entry supervisor.
• Hazards associated with the space.
• Results of initial and periodic tests.
• Methods used to isolate, eliminate or control the
  hazards.
• Acceptable entry conditions.
• Equipment PPE, lighting, ventilating,
  testing/monitoring, ladders retrieval.
• Emergency services phone numbers.
• Additional permits Hot Work LOTO.
• Special employee safety information.

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Ventilation Guidelines

• Clean and purge space before entering
• Sewer lids should not be lifted prior to initial
  atmospheric testing
• Initial atmospheric test before using ventilation
  equipment
• Keep all ignition sources away from potential
  combustible atmospheres
• Report all suspected leaks into or out of space
• Always ventilate prior to entry and during
  occupancy
• Elevate blower intake 10 inches above ground to
  reduce CO from vehicles
• Locate blower 5 ft. away from space opening
  know direction location exhaust will exit
• Minimize hose length and bends
• Increase initial purge time by 50 if atmosphere
  is toxic or space has irregular shape
• Blower must provide 20 air changes per hour
• Supply ventilation is more effective than exhaust
  ventilation
• Direct supply ventilation to area occupied by
  worker
• Use local exhaust for localized contaminant
  sources (such as welding fumes)

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Acceptable Entry Conditions

• Confined Space Entry permit posted.
• Oxygen level 19.5 23.5.
• Lower Explosive Level 0.
• Toxic fumes/vapors LESS than PEL.
• No engulfing material in space.
• No hazardous chemicals or material.
• Drained - or - Flushed.
• Rescue Team Available.
• Attendant is present and equipment in place.
• Communication is established between attendant,
  entrants, supervisor.
• Space Temperature lt 100 degrees F.
• LOTO Electrical, Mechanical, and pipes.
• Ventilation established and maintained.
• Additional conditions required on the permit or
  Entry Supervisor.

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Duties of Entry Supervisor

• Entry supervisors are responsible for the overall
  permit space entry and must coordinate all entry
  procedures, test, permits, equipment and other
  relevant activities. The following duties are
  required
• Know the hazards including signs symptoms of
  exposure.
• Verifies- all test, specified equipment in place,
  permit completed.
• Terminate the entry and cancel permit when
  complete.
• NOTE anyone can terminate the entry.
• Verify rescue services are available or able to
  be summoned.
• Remove unauthorized persons from the area.
• Determine whenever responsibility for a permit
  space entry operation is transferred.

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Duties of Attendant

• At least two attendants are required outside the
  permit space into which entry is authorized for
  the duration of the entry operation.
• Attendants duties
• Know the hazards that may be faced during entry
  including signs and symptoms of exposure.
• Be aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard
  exposure on entrants.
• Continuously maintain an accurate count of
  entrants.
• Remain out side the permit space during entry
  operations until relieved by a qualified
  replacement.
• Maintain consent communication with entrants.
• Monitor activities inside and outside the space
  to ensure it is safe for the entrants to remain
  in the space.
• Summon rescue and other emergency services the
  moment the entrants need assistance.
• Perform non-entry rescue as specified by the
  rescue procedures and entry supervisor.
• DO NOT perform duties that might interfere with
  the attendants primary duty to monitor and
  protect the entrants.
• Keep unauthorized persons clear of the of the
  permit space.
• Keep the entry supervisor aware of any changes,
  work in progress, equipment operation etc

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Duties of the Entrants

• All entrants must be authorized by the entry
  supervisor to enter permit space, have received
  the required training, use the proper equipment,
  and observe the entry procedures and perform the
  following
• Know the hazards that may occur during the entry
  including signs or symptoms related to
  exposure.
• Properly use the equipment required for safe
  entry.
• Maintain communication with the attendant at all
  times.
• Alert the attendant whenever the entrant
  recognizes any warning signs or symptoms of
  exposure or any prohibited condition is detected.
• Exit the permit space as quickly as possible
  whenever-the attendant to entry supervisor gives
  the order to evacuate or entrant detects a unsafe
  condition.

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Confined Space Entry Procedures

• Conduct Pre-entry Briefing
• Assemble and check equipment
• Establish Acceptable Entry Conditions
• Conduct initial air sampling
• Execute Complete Entry Permit
• Station Entry Attendant
• Establish Monitoring of Atmosphere
• Establish Communication
• Execute Hot Work Permit if Applicable
• Post Confined Space Entry Permit
• Enter Space
• Post-Entry Debrief When Entry is Completed