Confined Spaces 29 CFR is the OSHA regulation that requires employers to protect employees in general industry from the hazards of entering a confined space that can cause immediate danger to life and health.

Confined Spaces What is a confined space? A space that is large enough to be entered; has limited means of entry and exit; and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Two Types of Confined Spaces A confined space that does not meet the requirements of a Permit Required Confined Space; and A Permit Required Confined Space.

Permit Required Confined Space A permit required confined space is a space that has one of the following characteristics: Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere

Contains a material such grain or sawdust that has the potential for engulfing an entrant Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section

Contains any recognized serious safety or health hazard

Employers Requirements The employer must evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required spaces. A decision flow chart can be found in Appendix A of 29 CFR

Employers Requirements If the employer determines that there are permit spaces, these spaces must be posted with danger signs indicating the existence and location of the danger posed by the permit space. The employer has the choice of allowing or not allowing employees to enter the space.

Employers Requirements If the employer decides that its employees WILL enter permit spaces, you must have a written permit space program. Initial and refresher training must be conducted for all affected employees.

Permit Required Program If you have permit required spaces, and you allow your employees to enter the space you must have the following: A written program There are numerous requirements within a written program i.e., a permit. (See handout)

Testing and monitoring equipment Ventilating equipment Communications equipment Proper PPE Lighting equipment Barriers and shields Rescue equipment

Lockout/Tagout Scope & Application The OSHA Standard for the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) 29 CFR covers the servicing maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected start-up or release of stored energy could possibly cause injury to employees

Types of Energy Mechanical Hydraulic Pneumatic Chemical Thermal Electrical

Lockout/Tagout Applies Whenever the employee: - removes or bypasses machine guards or other safety devices, resulting in exposure to hazards at the point of operation; - places any part of their body in contact with the point of operation of the machine or piece of equipment; - places any part of their body into a danger zone associated with a machine operating cycle.

Does Not Apply While servicing or maintaining cord and plug connected electrical equipment (the plug must be removed from the energy source and remain under the exclusive control of the employee performing the service or maintenance. During hot tap operations that involve transmission and distribution systems for gas, steam, water, or petroleum products when they are performed on pressurized pipelines; when continuity of service is essential and shutdown impractical and an equivalent form of employee protection is provided.

Definitions Authorized Employee – An employee who performs servicing or maintenance on machines and equipment. Lockout or tagout is used by these employees for their protection. Affected Employee – An employee who performs the duties of their job within an area in which the lockout or tagout is implemented while servicing or maintenance activities are being performed.

Definitions (cont’d) Lockout – The placement of a lockout device on an energy isolating device, per facility procedure, ensuring that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed. Tagout – The placement of a tagout device on an energy isolating device, per facility procedure, to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not operate until the tagout is removed.

Definitions (cont’d) Lockout Device – Any device that uses positive means, such as a lock, to hold an energy isolating device in a safe position preventing the energizing of machinery or equipment. Tagout Device – Any prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, securely fastened to an energy isolating device, indicating that the affected machine or equipment must not be operated until the tagout device is removed. Energy Isolating Device – Any mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy (e.g., circuit breaker)

Lockout vs. Tagout If an energy isolating device is capable of being locked out, it must be locked out unless it can be shown that a tagout system provides full employee protection

Written Procedures Identifies the information authorized employees must know in order to control hazardous energy during service or maintenance and includes the following minimum elements: –Statement on how the procedure will be used; –Procedural steps necessary to shut down, isolate, block, and secure machines and equipment; –Steps designating the safe placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and responsible person; –Specific requirements for testing machines or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of locks, tags, and other energy control measures.

Energy Control Procedure Preparation for shutdown Shutting down the equipment Equipment isolation Application of Lockout/Tagout devices Release of stored energy Verification of equipment isolation

Preparation for Shutdown Understand the types and amounts of energy that power the equipment Understand the hazards associated with the energy Understand how to safely control the energy

Equipment Shutdown Shut the system down using available operating controls Follow whatever procedure is appropriate for the equipment to avoid endangering anyone during the shutdown

Equipment Isolation Be sure to isolate all energy sources, secondary power supplies as well as primary supplies Never just remove a fuse when you can disconnect the equipment completely

Application of Devices All energy isolating devices are to be locked, tagged or both When lockout is used, every employee in the work crew must attach their personal lock

Release of Stored Energy Ensure all parts have stopped moving Relieve trapped pressure Block or brace parts that could fall Bleed lines and vent valves open If stored energy can re-accumulate, then monitor conditions to make sure it stays below hazardous levels

Verify Equipment Isolation Ensure all danger areas are clear of personnel Verify disconnect switch or circuit breaker cannot be moved to the “on” position Attempt to start equipment by engaging all activating controls and return controls to the “off” position when testing is complete

Removing Lockout/Tagout Ensure all tools re removed from the work area and that the system is fully assembled Notify everyone in the work area that the lockout/tagout is being removed Remove lockout/tagout devices – each device must be removed by the person who put it on

Shift Changes If service or maintenance activities last longer then one shift - lockout/tagout protection must not be interrupted If the employee who applied the device is not there to remove it – then it can only be removed in an emergency and under the direction of the supervisor

Contractors The outside contractor and the on-site employer must exchange lockout/tagout information and decide who’s program will be used Employees on-site must understand the rules used by the contractor

Periodic Inspections Inspections must be performed and certified annually by supervision to assure: –That the energy control procedures continue to be implemented and that employees are familiar with their responsibilities – Certification must identify the machine or equipment and include the date of inspection, and of individual performing the inspection, and any deviations and corrective actions

Important Always turn machines off to make minor adjustments. Always lockout machines if more than a minor adjustment is needed.

Types Of Lockout Devices Gate Valve Handle Cover Ball Valve Handle Cover Butterfly Valve Cover Single Pole Breaker Multiple Pole Breaker Cord and Plug

Types, cont. Wall Switch Chains Scissor Lock Hasp Blinds, i.e, skillet

Accidents 59 - days without a recordable accident 74 - days with a lost time accident You are entering the most dangerous time for accidents.

What can you do to help to reach 100? Correct unsafe behavior Point out slip, trip and fall hazards Place cones on slip hazards Don’t put off telling someone of a hazard

Questions ?