BROWNCOUNTY
CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM
Purpose of this program:
This program is intended to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146
This program is intended to protect workers that may enter a confined space. Employees will be made aware of the hazards of a confined space, how to enter a confined space safely and what to do in case of an emergency.
Identification of Confined Spaces:
Confined Space. A space that:
(1)Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
(2)Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and
(3)Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
NOTE: Confined spaces are labeled and shall not be entered without the appropriate permit. If there is an unlabeled space that you feel qualifies as a confined space, notify your supervisor and the Safety Coordinator before entering.
Classification of Confined Spaces:
Confined spaces are classified on the basis of measurements of the oxygen content, flammability, toxicity, physical hazards, and mechanical hazards. All personnel will assume a confined space is permit-required until proven otherwise by testing and inspection.
A Permit-Required Confined Space:
- contains or has the potent to contain a hazardous atmosphere or
- contains a material that has the potential for engulfing or entrapping an entrant or
- has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section, and/or
- contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards.
A Non-Permit Confined Space: means a confined space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.
CONTENTS
1) Scope
2) Responsibilities
3) Testing
4) Emergency and Rescue Procedures
5) Non-Permit Confined Spaces
6)Contractors
7)Definitions / Terminology
8)Confined Space entry decision flow chart
See the written Confined Space program in the Safety Coordinator’s office for the entry permit and equipment descriptions.
1)Scope
This program contains requirements for employees of the Facility Management Department while working for the department in their normal work duties. This program does not cover:
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) situations: IDLH spaces will be handled by someone other than the Facility Management staff. We value our employees and do not believe in putting them at unnecessary risk, thus, these situations will be handled by others with more experience in entering an IDLH space. NOTE: Only for rescue situations may a Facility Management employee enter an IDLH space if, and only if, they have the resources to protect themselves and are properly trained for rescue.
Outside contractors: Contractors are covered in the Confined Space Program. (See section 6.)
Spaces outside of the realm of the Facility Management department: These spaces will be covered by other departments and shall not be entered before contacting the Safety Coordinator.
2) Responsibilities:
Safety Coordinatorwill:
1)Serve as the focal point for implementation and coordination of this program.
2)Ensure all appropriate personnel are trained in confined space requirements.
3)Maintain confined space records.
4)Evaluate the effectiveness of procedures implemented to protect the entrants.
5)Assist in training employees.
6)Review the confined space program at least annually.
Department Managerwill:
1)Ensure the inspection, testing maintenance, and documentation of safety and rescue equipment is accomplished.
2)Be responsible for the identification, evaluation, and classification of all confined spaces.
3)Be responsible for developing local controls and procedures for confined space entries.
4)Describe the acceptable entry conditions under which permits may be issued.
5)Identify the types and locations of spaces to be entered.
6)List PPE, monitoring and rescue equipment, and conditions under which it will be used.
7)Designate frequency and type of atmospheric monitoring.
8)List other controls required (e.g. Lockout/Tagout, ventilation, etc.)
9)Include provisions for entry during potential emergency conditions.
10)Review and approve non-routine entry permits.
Entry Supervisor:Duties of entry supervisors. The employer shall ensure that each entry supervisor:
- Knows the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
- Verifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin;
- Terminates the entry and cancels the permit;
- Verifies that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable;
- Removes unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations; and
- Determines, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained.
Confined Space Attendants: The definition of Attendant is an individual stationed outside a Permit Space who monitors an authorized Entrant and who performs all Attendant’s duties assigned in our Confined Space program:
1.Knows the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
2.Is aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants;
3.Continuously maintains an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space and ensures that the means used to identify authorized entrants who are in the permit space;
4.Remains outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant;
5.Communicates with authorized entrants as necessary to monitor entrant status and to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space;
6.Monitors activities inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe for entrants to remain in the space and orders the authorized entrants to evacuate the permit space immediately under any of the following conditions;
7.If the attendant detects a prohibited condition;
8.If the attendant detects the behavioral effects of hazard exposure in an authorized entrant;
9.If the attendant detects a situation outside the space that could endanger the authorized entrants; or
10.If the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all the duties required
11.Summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that authorized entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards;
12.Takes the following actions when unauthorized persons approach or enter a permit space while entry is underway:
13.Warn the unauthorized persons that they must stay away from the permit space;
14.Advise the unauthorized persons that they must exit immediately if they have entered the permit space; and
15.Inform the authorized entrants and the entry supervisor if unauthorized persons have entered the permit space;
16.Performs non-entry rescues as specified by the employer's rescue procedure; and
17.Performs no duties that might interfere with the attendant's primary duty to monitor and protect the authorized entrants.
Confined Space Entrants: (Entrants) are employees who we authorize to enter a Permit Space.
1.Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
2.Properly use equipment as required;
3.Communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the attendant to monitor entrant status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space;
Alert the attendant whenever:
4.The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation, or
5.The entrant detects a prohibited condition; and
Exit from the permit space as quickly as possible whenever:
6.An order to evacuate is given by the attendant or the entry supervisor,
7.The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation,
8.The entrant detects a prohibited condition, or
9.An evacuation alarm is activated.
3) Testing:
Confined Space Tester and Monitor: The person designated to conduct tests of confined space atmospheric conditions must be trained in the operation and care of the specific testing equipment to be used.
Calibration: All equipment will be calibrated prior to use by either the Safety Coordinator or a member of the CSPT. The user will field check equipment according to the manufactures instructions immediately before testing the confined space.
Equipment: All equipment used in confined space shall be approved for Class 1, Division 1 use. Only direct reading equipment with current calibration will be used.
Atmospheric Monitoring: Many operations, due to the potential to generate hazardous conditions, may require atmospheric monitoring as work progresses. No single rule can be established. The supervisor in charge of entry, shall establish frequency and type of tests for atmosphere and shall enter these requirements on the entry permits. Continuous monitoring of O2, LEL, & Toxicity should be considered for all permit required operations. The entry supervisor shall evaluate the following types of operations for continuos atmospheric monitoring:
1)Work which has the potential of generating hazardous concentrations of toxic materials.
2)Application of paint, epoxies, etc. which may involve toxic or flammable vapors.
3)Cleaning operations, sludge removal, etc. that may produce a hazardous environment.
Testing sequence: Oxygen content, flammable hazard, toxic material. (NOTE: this is an OSHA requirement; however, our gas tester tests four gasses simultaneously.)
4)Emergency and Rescue Procedures:
If self rescue or non-entry rescue can not be performed, contact rescue personnel immediately by dialing 911. Also call the entry supervisor immediately for assistance in the rescue operation.
Self Rescue: Employees are trained to exit from the confined space as rapidly as possible without help, the entrant must also know toxic effects or symptoms of exposure to the anticipated hazard, the entrant must also be able to relay an alarm to the attendant and to attempt self-rescue immediately.
Rescuers may enter a space if the space does not contain a hazardous atmosphere (i.e. the employee tripped and broke his ankle and needs assistance getting out). The attendant must first wait for the entry supervisor before entering the space.
When an employee collapses or is non-respondent, all rescuers should consider the space to be IDLH and take the appropriate precautions. Call 911. Note: this is the only situation that it is acceptable to enter a known IDLH space, IF you have the appropriate PPE, AND you can enter the space without putting yourself in unnecessary danger, AND you have been trained for this type of rescue.
Non-Entry Rescue: This is the preferred method of rescue.
1)Entrants must wear a chest or full body harness with a retrieval line attached to the center of their back (near shoulder level) or above the Entrant’s head.
2)Wristlets can be used instead of a harness if using the harness is not feasible or creates a greater hazard than if wristlets are used.
3)The other end of the retrieval line must be attached to a fixed point or mechanical device outside the Permit Space so that rescue can begin as soon as needed.
4)A mechanical device (such as a winch) must be available if entrants are working in a vertical space that is more than five feet deep.
5)There are exceptions to the requirement, retrieval equipment does not have to be used if it would increase the overall risk or injury, or increase the chance of an accident to entrants working in confine spaces, or if it would not contribute to the ability to rescue entrants.
Emergency Rescue Information: OSHA wants to make sure that medical personnel treating an entrant who has been injured in a confined space have as much helpful information as possible. OSHA requires that if an injured entrant is exposed to a substance for which you are required to keep a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or other similar written information on site, that information must be made available to the medical facility treating the exposed entrant.
5) Non Permit Confined Spaces: These confined spaces are not considered hazardous and have no potential to become hazardous. Entries into non-permit confined spaces are allowed without an entry permit, but it is required that the entrant wear a “Four Gas Detector” and to evacuate if the alarm goes off.
Welding, Cutting, and Brazing: Hot Permits must be completed before hot work is performed in confined space. Note: A Non-Permit Required Confined Space will become a Permit Required Confined Space when hot work is performed.
- Compressed gas cylinders or gas manifolds are prohibited in a confined space.
- Gas supplies will be turned off at the cylinder.
- Electric ARC units are prohibited in a confined space.
6)Contractors
All contractors will be notified of hazards concerning the entrance of particular confined spaces. This notification will be done in writing by the Department Manager or Safety Coordinator. All contractors are to have their own Confined Space program prior to undertaking a contract that entails the entrance of confined spaces.
7) Definitions / Terminology:
SHALL and WILL mean MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
SHOULD means the PREFERRED METHOD
MAY means ACCEPTABLE METHOD
Atmospheric Monitoring: The quantitative analysis of a confined space environment to identify a potentially hazardous atmosphere.
Attendant: An individual stationed outside one or more permitted spaces who monitors the authorized entrants, and who performs all attendant’s duties assigned in the permitted space program.
Confined Space: Is an area large enough and configured so that a worker can bodily enter and perform assigned work. Has limited or restricted means for entry and /or exit, and is not designed for continuos occupancy.
Blanking or Blinding: Means the absolute closure of a pipe, line, or duct by the fastening of a solid plate (such as a spectacle blind or a skillet blind) that completely covers the bore and that is capable of with standing the maximum pressure of the pipe, line, or duct with no leakage beyond the plate.
Engulfment: The surrounding and overwhelming of a person by finely divided particulate matter or liquid.
Entrant: Any employee who is trained and authorized to enter a confined space.
Entry Permit System: The system for ensuring safe entry into and work within confined spaces.
Entry Permit: The written authorization for entry under defined conditions into a confined space for a stated purpose during a specified time.
Entry Supervisor: This person is responsible for authorizing entry, overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry if a change in conditions warrant.
Field Check: Checking an instrument for proper response.
Functional Manager: The senior operating official at all levels exercising managerial control of an activity or operation.
Hazardous Atmosphere: An atmosphere presenting a potential for death, disablement, injury, or acute illness.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH): Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life that would cause immediate or delayed adverse health effects.
Inerting: Reducing the atmosphere of a Confined Space chemically non-reactive.
Isolation: Positively preventing any unwanted form of energy from entering the confined space.
Linebreaking: The intentional opening in a confined space of a pipe, line, or duct that is or has been carrying any material that is capable of causing injury or illness.
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): The lowest concentration of flammable or combustible vapor which can be ignited by a spark of flame.
Non-Permit Confined Space: A space that does not contain, or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazards capable of causing death of serious physical harm.
Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL): The limit for the airborne concentration of a specified substance for a specified time.
Organization Rescue Team: A group of two or more employees who are trained to perform rescues from confined spaces.
Oxygen Deficiency Atmosphere: An atmosphere countering less than 19.5 percent oxygen.
Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere: An atmosphere containing more than 23.5 percent oxygen.
Permit Required Confined Spaces: A confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:
- Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
- Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing the entrant;
- Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls of by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section;
- Contains any other recognized safety or health hazard.
Permit Required Confined Space Program: The overall program developed for controlling and protecting workers in entering confined spaces.
Prohibited Condition: Any set of conditions in a permit space where the hazards potential exceeds the limits authorized by the entry permit.
Qualified Person: A person who is trained to recognize the hazards of a confined space and how to evaluate those anticipated hazards.
Retrieval Line: A line or rope secured at one end to a workers full body harness, with the other end secured to a lifting or retrieval device.
Welding, Cutting and Brazing Permit: The written authorization to perform “HOT WORK” operations.
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Revised 11/2010
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Revised 11/2010