1. Understanding the Hazards, Eliminating the Risk
Confined Space
Understanding the Hazards, Eliminating the Risk
Presented by:
Larry Sailer, CLCP
There are always questions and concerns about the requirements that should be followed for entering an confined space. This program should help satisfy some of those questions and help you make the proper decisions before entering these types of work areas. When you understand the hazards, you can eliminate the risk.

2. Bureau of Labor Statistics
There are an estimated 50,000 emergency responses to occupational confined space incidents every year.
300 to 500 fatalities.
Over 50% of the fatalities are the would-be-rescuers.
According to the Bureau of Labor - to next slide

3. OSHA Standards Permit required space: 1910.146
Confined space: (b) definitions
Gen, Trans, Dist: (a)
Job Briefings: (c)
Haz Energy Control: (d)
Enclosed space: (e)
Working on/near Energized: (l)
URD Elect Installations: (t)
Enclosed space: (x) definition
The OSHA Standards that we will be referring to can be found in:
– Permit Required Confined Spaces
(b) – Definitions
(a) – General application – covers Generation, Transmission and Distribution
(c) – Job Briefings
(d) – Hazardous Energy Control (lockout / tagout) Procedures
(e) – Enclose Spaces “It does not cover vented vaults if a determination is made that the ventilation system is operating to protect employees before they enter the space”
(l) – Working on or near energized parts.
(t) – Underground Electric Installations.
(x) – Definitions

4. What is the Criteria to Classify an area as a Confined Space
Limited means of egress and entry
Large enough that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work
Not designed for continuous employee occupancy
defines a confined space as having

5. Permit Required Confined Spaces
Has One or More of the following:
Contains or has the 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 converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section: or
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.
Permit required spaces have one or more of the following –
A permit signed by the entry supervisor, must be posted at all entrances or otherwise made available to entrants before they enter a permit space. The permit must verify that pre-entry preparations outlined in the OSHA standard have been completed. The duration of entry permits must not exceed the time required to complete an assignment.
The entry supervisor must cancel entry permits when an assignment is completed or when new conditions exist. New conditions must be noted on the canceled permit and used in revising the permit space program. The standard requires that the employer keep all canceled entry permits for at least one year.

6. Here are some examples of a Confined Space
Tanks - Grinders - Silos, Vessels, Storage Bins, Hoppers and the main one that were concerned with the VAULT. Should a vault be considered as a confined space? Waite for response. The vault is considered a confined space. Where does the permit and non permit come into play.

7. Alternative to a full Permit-Entry
If an employer can demonstrate with monitoring and inspection data that the only hazard is an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere that can made safe for entry using continuous force air ventilation, the employer may be exempted from some requirements, such as permits and attendants.
Under certain conditions described in the standard, the employer may use alternate procedures for worker entry into a permit space. For example, if an employer can demonstrate with monitoring and inspection data that the only hazard in an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere that can made safe for entry using continuous forced air ventilation, the employer may be exempted from some requirements, such as permits and attendants. However, even in these circumstances, the employer must test the internal atmosphere of the space for oxygen flammable gases and vapors, and the potential for toxic air contaminants before any employee enters it. The employer must also provide continuous ventilation and verify that the requirement measurements are performed before entry.
(e) Enclosed Spaces – It does not apply to vented vaults if a determination is made that the ventilation system is operating to protect employees before they enter the space.
(e)(9) – If continuous forced air ventilation is provided, testing is not required provided the procedures used ensure that employees are not expose to the hazards posed by oxygen deficiency.
(t) URD Electrical Installations – A ladder or other climbing device shall be used to enter and exit a manhole or subservice vault exceeding 4 feet in depth.

8. Hazardous Atmosphere
Oxygen level less than 19.5% or greater than 23.5%
Flammable gas, vapors or dust
Potential toxic air contaminants
According to OSHA the Hazardous Atmosphere Test is the most critical test that should be performed before entering a confined space. The Oxygen level we breath is approximately 20.9% so (CLICK) ………constitutes a Hazardous Atmosphere. We may also encounter (CLICK)… in a vault. (CLICK) to next slide.

9. Flammable Gasses or Vapors
Weights less than Oxygen
Methane Gas
Weights about the same as Oxygen
Carbon Monoxide
All gasses do not weigh the same. When testing a vault you should test the upper third of the vault first for gasses that…, The middle third next for gasses that … and then the lower third for gasses that …What is a good example of a gas that weighs less than Oxygen? Waite for response. … What is a good example of a gas that weighs about the same as Oxygen? Waite for response.… What are some good example of a gases that weighs more than Oxygen? Waite for response.
Propane,Carbon Dioxide,
Chlorine, Hydrogen Sulfide
Weights more than oxygen

10. What Is Considered Entry
Entry means the action by which a person passes through an opening into a confined space.
Entry is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the Entrant’s body breaks the plane of an opening into the space.
…, to next slide.
Breaking the plane of the entry is considered an entry into a confined space.

11. Entry Requirement Pre-entry check list Entry supervisor Attendant
Qualified entrant
Rescue retrieval system
Ventilator
What is the first thing that you need to do before entering a Vault? - The pre-entry check list will help determine the type of vault you have. Who must be present at time of entry? Waite for response. What else is required at time of entry? Waite for response.

12. Entry Requirement (continued)
Communication Equipment
Barriers
Atmosphere and Gas Detector
S.C.B.A
Ladder (If vault is greater than 4ft. In depth)
Fire Extinguisher
Completed Permit (If required)
Other equipment that may be required before entry into an enclosed / confined space.

13. What is a Qualified Employee
Qualified employees shall be trained and competent in:
The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electrical equipment.
The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of the exposed live parts.
Ask the question, What is a Qualified Employee?
(l)(1) – Only qualified employees may work on or with exposed energized lines or parts of equipment. Only qualified employees may work in areas containing unguarded, un-insulated energized lines or parts of equipment operating at 50 volts or more. Electric line and equipment shall be treated as energized unless provisions of Hazardous Energy Control - lockout/tagout and de-energizing lines and equipment for employee protection (sections d and m)

14. What is a Qualified Employee (continued)
C. The minimum approach distance of the voltage to which the qualified employee will be exposed.
D. The proper use of the special precautionary techniques, Personnel Protective Equipment, Insulating and shielding materials, and Insulating tools for working on or near exposed energized parts of electrical equipment.
, to next slide.

15. Entry Supervisor Responsibility
Tail Gate Discussion.
Type of work to complete.
Who is going to do what.
Go over material needed.
Safety Rules Required.
Explain emergency procedures.
Explain how to operate emergency equipment.
Check respirator.
Discuss any known hazards.
Remove any hazards from around outside of entry area.
Only one person can be in charge. The Entry Supervisor is that person. What is the first duty as an Entry Supervisor? Waite for response.….. . During the tailgate discussion you must cover - to next slide.

16. Entry Supervisor Responsibility (Continued)
Atmosphere readings.
Determine the space safe for entry.
Document entrants
Terminate permit if conditions change within the space.
The entry supervisor is also responsible for documenting on the permit.

17. Entrants Responsibilities
Must attend tailgate discussion
Know the hazards of the job.
Use appropriate equipment
Exit the space if:
a. An alarm is activated
b. Communication is lost
c. Unknown exposures are encountered
Entrants also have responsibilities. What are some of their responsibilities? Wait for response. To next slide.

18. Attendants Responsibility
Must attend tailgate discussion
Must be Certified in CPR and First Aid.
Must be Trained in proper rescue techniques.(non-entry)
Must be Trained in use of retrieval system.
Must be Trained in proper use of S.C.B.A.
What are the attendants responsibilities? Waite for response.
When the employer’s permit entry program allows attendant entry for rescue, attendants may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue if they have been trained and equipped for rescue operations as required by (k)(1) and if they have been relieved by a qualified attendant.

19. Attendants Responsibility (continued)
Must be able to Communicate with authorized entrants.
Monitor both inside and outside the space.
Remain outside the space during entry operation.
Keep unauthorized persons from entering the space.
Know the hazards associated with the entry.
Records gas and oxygen readings as required.
More duties of the Attendant.

20. Attendants Responsibility (continued)
CAN NOT PERFORM OTHER DUTIES THAT MIGHT INTERFERE WITH YOUR PRIMARY DUTY !
As an Attendant what is the main thing that you can not do? Waite for response.
(i)(10) – Performs no duties that might interfere with the attendants primary duty to monitor and protect the authorized entrants.