1. WISHA Confined Spaces Standard
Confined Spaces – Part 2
An Overview of the
WISHA Confined Spaces Standard

2. Purpose of This Module
This two-part module provides basic information for employers about the hazards of confined spaces, how to control these hazards and what WISHA requirements apply when employees enter confined spaces.
Some employers may elect to contract out confined space work. In those cases, employers are obligated to fully inform contractors of the confined space hazards at their facilities.
This overview does not replace the confined spaces standard. For the complete WISHA confined space rule requirements, see Confined Spaces Chapter Part M

3. Confined Spaces Overview
Part 2 of this overview will cover the following:
Confined space entry procedures,
Employee training needs,
Confined space worker duties,
Emergency and rescue services.

4. Entry into a Confined Space
How is entry into a confined space classified?
Written Permit System – required for any high hazard entry
Alternate Entry Procedures – allowed for controlled atmospheric hazards only
No Permit – allowed only if all hazards are eliminated
Hazards must be determined before entering a confined space.

5. Confined Space Entry Procedures
What are “alternate entry procedures”?
If the only hazard is atmospheric (toxic gas or oxygen deficiency) and it is controlled by ventilation, then you may use less restrictive alternate entry procedures.
These procedures have fewer requirements – no written permit system is required.
Don’t assume that the only hazard is atmospheric without investigation and reliable information.

6. Confined Space Entry Procedures
What are alternate entry requirements?
Employees must be trained on confined space hazards,
The atmosphere in the confined space must be tested before and during entry,
Continuous ventilation must be used,
If a hazardous atmosphere is detected, or ventilation stops, the space must be promptly exited.

7. Confined Space Entry Procedures
The Importance of Air Monitoring
Air monitoring is required whenever there is a possibility of hazardous atmospheres.
Atmospheric conditions can change quickly in a confined space.
A portable gas monitor with an alarm should be used by the person entering the confined space and checked frequently.
Confined space gas monitor

8. Confined Space Entry Procedures
Ventilation of Confined Spaces
Fresh air blowers or exhaust fans are typically used.
Blower or fan should not be undersized.
A blower intake must be placed in an area of clean air.
Don’t place a blower intake near a running engine!
Exhaust ventilation must be used when welding or using chemicals in a confined space.
Watch out for pockets of unventilated contaminated air.

9. Confined Spaces Entry Procedures
What Affects Your Options
If the atmosphere can’t be controlled or there are other uncontrolled hazards, you must use the written permit system for entry into a confined space.
If you are unsure about the hazards, you must assume a high hazard and use a written permit system for entry.
Only if you are sure there are no hazardous atmospheres or other hazards, can you avoid the required procedures for entry.

10. Written Permit System What is required in a written permit system?
A written permit for each entry
Extensive employee training
Employee assigned duties

11. The permit states what is done and who does it:
The Written Permit
The permit states what is done and who does it:
Describes each individual’s roles and responsibilities,
Specifies safety equipment
and respiratory protection,
Tells how long the job will take,
States hazards found in the space.
For a sample permit, click here

12. The written permit also includes the following:
Methods used to control the hazards
Acceptable entry conditions
Necessary equipment including PPE
Air monitoring testing results
Communication procedures
Name and telephone of the rescue service

13. Respiratory Protection
Respirators may be required to enter a confined space safely
Respirators must be worn to enter a space with an oxygen deficiency or toxic chemical levels above the PEL.
A supplied air respirator is required for oxygen deficiency or toxic chemical levels that are immediately dangerous to life or health.
A respirator that does not supply fresh air is not recommended for use in a confined space.

14. Respiratory Protection
Employees who use respirators
Employees must have complete training on the proper use of these respirators.
Employees must also be medically evaluated to make sure they can safely wear these respirators.
To see complete requirements for respirator use, click here.

15. Employee Training General Requirements Train before assigning duties
Train before changing duties
Train whenever operations present a new hazard

16. Employee Training General Requirements
Retrain whenever there is reason to believe:
There are deviations from the established procedures,
There are inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge of procedures.

17. Employee Training General Requirements
Training must establish proficiency.
The employer must certify that this training has been done and meets the confined space regulations.
Confined space training
Training must be done by qualified knowledgeable trainers. Use professional trainers as needed.

18. Designated Jobs
Any permit-required confined space entry has designated jobs for employees:
Entrant – person who actually goes into the confined space
Attendant – person watching the entrant
Entry Supervisor – supervises the operation
Each position requires specific training and assigned duties.

19. Permit System Job Duties
Entrant’s Knowledge and Duties
Knows and understand the hazards in the space,
Knows and uses equipment properly,
Is able to communicate with the attendant.

20. Permit System Job Duties
Entrant’s Knowledge and Duties
Knows what the acceptable entry conditions for the space are,
Knows how to contact the attendant if conditions become unacceptable,
Exits the space when ordered, when alarm sounds, or when dangerous situation is noted.

21. Permit System Job Duties
Attendant’s Knowledge and Duties
Knows and understands the hazards in the space,
Knows the behavioral effects from exposures to hazards in the space,
Knows and tracks who is in the space at all times,
Warns away an unauthorized person who gets near or enters the space,

22. Permit System Job Duties
Attendant’s Knowledge and Duties
Stays outside the confined space at all times and monitors activity constantly,
Communicates with entrants to monitor conditions and knows when to order an evacuation,
Knows how and when to summon emergency help and does not enter space to rescue,
Knows how to do non-entry rescues.

23. Permit System Job Duties
Entry Supervisor Knowledge and Duties
Knows the hazards in the confined space,
Checks the permit procedures,
Terminates or cancels the permits as needed,
Verifies that rescue services are available,
Removes any unauthorized person from the space.

24. Rescue in a Confined Space
Confined space rescue is very dangerous
60% of all confined space fatalities are would-be rescuers.
Rescuers often enter a confined space without thinking about the hazards.
Rescues cannot be done without proper equipment and training.
Not all fire departments can do confined space rescuing.

25. Using Outside Services
Rescue Services
Using Outside Services
Carefully evaluate the prospective service’s ability to perform as needed.
Many fire departments are not trained or not available to do confined space rescue. Check with them first.
Tell the service about the hazards inside the space.
Let the service practice mock rescues in the confined space.
For further information on evaluating a rescue service, click here.

26. Using In-house Service
Rescue Services
Using In-house Service
A serious and expensive decision
Air-supplying respirators are usually needed
Rescue team must be trained on confined space rescues
Rescue team must also know first aid & CPR
Rescue team must practice rescues yearly

27. What is a non-entry rescue?
Non-entry rescue is retrieving a person out of a confined space without going into the space.
Entrants must wear full body harnesses with a retrieval line attached.
Best suited for manholes and tanks and cannot be used in every situation.

28. Non-Entry Rescue Equipment
It is usually impossible to pull a person out of a confined space unassisted.
A retrieval line is attached to a mechanical device or a fixed anchor point outside the space.
The mechanical device must be capable of lifting a person from a 5-foot deep space.
Special rescue tripods are available.

29. Additional Information
More information is available on WISHA webpage
This presentation is just an overview and does not cover all requirements.
For more information on how to put together a confined space program for your workplace, go to:
For additional assistance, you can call one of our consultants. Click below for local L & I office locations:

30. When is a written permit system required to enter a confined space?
Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 1
When is a written permit system required to enter a confined space?
Anytime you enter a confined space
When the hazards are not all eliminated
When a hazardous atmosphere is detected
When the confined space can’t be ventilated
a) Is incorrect. b), c), and d) are correct.

31. Confined Spaces Quiz Question 2
Which of the following is not a duty of an attendant?
Constantly monitors the confined space
Keeps in communication with the entrant
Enters the confined space to rescue an entrant who has collapsed
Summons help when an entrant collapses
c) Is the correct answer. An attendant must not attempt rescue of a person in a confined space unless the entrant is wearing a harness and retrieval line

32. Confined Spaces Quiz Question 3
When should you call the local fire department to rescue workers in a confined space?
In an emergency
After all attempts to rescue the workers have failed
After you have checked with them first
Never, they don’t know what to do