Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Permit-Required Confined Spaces 29 CFR
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Why Comply???? Confined space entry is a leading cause of occupational fatalities in this country.
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Statistics Standard covers 240,000 workplaces and 12.2 million workers Workers make 4.8 million entries/year Standard may prevent 85% of fatalities and nearly 11,000 injuries
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Definition of a Confined Space Limited means of egress Can be bodily entered Not designed for continuous occupancy
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Definition of Permit-Required Confined Spaces Contains or has potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere Contains the potential for engulfment Internal configuration that can trap or asphyxiate entrant Any other serious safety or health hazards
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Typical Permit-Required Spaces Chemical storage tanks Waste or storage pits Grain bins Underground tunnels Railroad cars under construction
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Typical Non-Permit-Required Spaces Utility closets Below-grade trenches Storage vaults Utility subbasements
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Potential Confined Space Hazards Engulfment Oxygen deficiency (19.5% or less) Oxygen enrichment (23.5% or higher) Flammable gases or vapors Combustible dusts Toxic substances IDLH atmospheres Physical hazards
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Atmospheric Testing Hazards must be tested in this order: –Oxygen content –Combustibility/flammability –Toxic atmospheres Entrants must be allowed to observe monitoring
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Reasons for Space Ventilation Maintain oxygen levels above 19.5% Maintain toxic gases and vapors at acceptable levels
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Types of Personal Protective Equipment Harnesses Retrieval lines Chemical protective clothing Welding apron/sleeves Respirators Gloves Safety glasses
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Safety Department Responsibilities Formulate and manage the confined spaces program Maintain a space inventory Maintain a list of “Authorized Personnel” Maintain copies of space permits Direct the confined space training program Maintain rescue equipment Coordinate contractor activities
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Supervisor Responsibilities Conduct a pre-entry briefing Ensure that personnel are evacuated when necessary Ensure that permits are complete and removed when work is finished Ensure that all necessary equipment is returned to its proper location Oversee all necessary confined space activities
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Attendant Responsibilities Attend pre-entry briefing Know the hazards of the space Control access to the space Maintain communication with entrants Not to enter the space for rescue Summon emergency services Assist rescue efforts from outside the space
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Attendant Responsibilities (cont.) Remain at the site while entrants are inside Order a space evacuation when conditions warrant such an action Maintain an accurate count of the number of entrants
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Entrant Responsibilities Attend the pre-entry briefing Know the hazards of the space Use appropriate equipment properly Exit the space if: –An alarm is activated –Communication is lost –Unknown exposures are encountered –Ordered to do so
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Authorized Person Responsibilities Familiarize themselves with characteristics of spaces Verify that all hazards and sources of energy have been controlled in the space Ensure that confined space permit is posted Rescind any permit for noncompliance with permit requirements
Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Rescuer Responsibilities Understand the hazards of the space Be certified in emergency first aid and CPR Understand appropriate entry procedures Know how to use rescue equipment Practice confined space rescues at least annually