Department of University Safety & Assurances

www.safety.uwm.edu
US&A (v. 2/07)
 What you need to know

• Training topics include:

– confined space
identification and hazards
– air monitoring
– controlling hazards
– communications
– blowers
– emergency retrieval
system use
– emergency procedures

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Step I: What is a confined space?

• (a) Is large enough and

so configured that an
employee can enter and
perform assigned work;

• (b) Has limited or

restricted means for
entry or exit, and

• (c) Is not designed for

continuous employee
occupancy.

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

• manholes and pits

• steam pit
• electrical pit
• signal pit
• storm drain manhole
• sump pit
• tanks at the Power
Plant
• others - see inventory UWM Steam Pit #1 at
Power Plant
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Examples at UWM

Pit 1: Outside
Power Plant

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 2: Between
Holton and
Merrill Halls

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 3: between
Chapman and
Sandburg

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 4: East side of

Lapham Hall

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 5: Southeast
of Lapham Hall

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 6: North of Child

Care Center
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Examples at UWM

Pit 7: Goat Hill

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 8:
South of
Lapham
Hall

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 10:
South of
EMS

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 11: Union

US&A (v. 2/07)
 Examples at UWM

Pit 12?:

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit 13: Mitchell Hall

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pit #14: Southwest

corner of Golda Meir
Library
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Examples at UWM

• Signal Pit outside

Power Plant

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

• Permit-required Confined
spaces at the Power Plant
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Examples at UWM

Steam Pit west of Mitchell

Mitchell north-wing
Hall
roof steam line chase
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Examples at UWM

• Acid Neutralization
Pit in Lapham Hall
– Serviced by Outside
Contractor

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Examples at UWM

Pump House
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Other Hazardous Spaces

• Elevator Pits
– Lockout/Tagout
– Sump Pits?

US&A (v. 2/07)

Step 2: Is It A Permit-Required
Confined Space?

• Use this flowchart

to determine if an
enclosed space is
a “confined
space” and
whether a
“confined space”
is a “permit-
required confined
space”

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Step III: Hierarchy of Permit-
Spaces

(c)(7) Reclassification-Hazards Eliminated

(c)(5) Alternate Entry-Hazards Controlled

(by continuous forced air ventilation)

(c)(4) Permit Space Entry-Hazards

Cannot be Eliminated nor Controlled

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Hierarchy of Permit-Spaces

Refer to
Handout

US&A (v. 2/07)

 C4 Permit Confined Space
• Lapham Hall and
Chemistry--the
laboratory fume hood
system “Gas
Chambers”

US&A (v. 2/07)

C4 Permit Confined Space

US&A (v. 2/07)

C5 Alternate Entry with Continuous
Ventilation

US&A (v. 2/07)

C5 Alternate Entry with Continuous
Ventilation

• Electrical Pits
• Signal Pits
• Steam Pits

US&A (v. 2/07)

 C5 Alternate Entry -Hazards
Controlled by Continuous Ventilation

US&A (v. 2/07)

 C7 Hazards Eliminated

• Mitchell Hall
Basement Utility
Chase.
(Looking north, from south
access panel. The
immediate south end is
a C7 Hazard Eliminated
space; the rest of the
chase is a
“C-5” confined space.)

US&A (v. 2/07)

C7 Reclassification-Hazards
Eliminated

US&A (v. 2/07)

Confined Space and Hazardous Space
Inventory

www.safety.uwm.edu/EHS/CONFINEDSPACE/index.html

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Other Hazardous Spaces

• Some enclosed
areas and roofs
are labeled with
special
precautions.

US&A (v. 2/07)

What you need to know

• Be sure you can

identify a confined
space
• You need to know
what safety
measures to take
prior to entering a
confined space

US&A (v. 2/07)

 What Are the Hazards?

• Oxygen Hazards • Engulfment

– too much or too little
• Toxic Hazards
– gases, vapors or fumes
(examples: hydrogen
sulfide, sulfur dioxide,
carbon monoxide)
• Flammable or Explosive
Hazards
– vapors or dusts in
concentrations large
enough to ignite
– shifting liquid or solid
substance that traps
employee
• Configuration
– Walls or floor which slope
downward or taper in can
trap an employee
• Energy Hazards
– Contact with mechanical
or electrical equipment,
steam or other sources
of heat

US&A (v. 2/07)

Atmospheric
Hazards
 Multi Gas Meters

• Multi-gas meters for

confined
space/hazardous
space air monitoring.

• Though similar, each instrument has unique

features and operating characteristics. These
devices measure "real-time" oxygen content,
flammability/explosion potential, carbon
monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
concentrations.
US&A (v. 2/07)
 What is Air?

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Hazardous Atmospheres

• Asphyxiating
(simple and chemical)
• Flammable
• Toxic

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Location of PPS Meter

• Multi-gas
meters are kept
in Mitchell Hall
B8

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Abbreviations: Flammable
• UEL % Upper Explosive Limit
• LEL % Lower Explosive Limit
• ALARM at 10% LEL

Example:
Gasoline

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Methane (CH4)

• Natural gas, marsh gas, swamp gas

• Due to gas leak or organic decay
• Colorless/odorless flammable gas, or scented
• LEL = 5%; UEL = 15%
• I s Methane Toxic?

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Colorless, odorless, noncombustible gas

• Heavier than air
• Common in solid and compressed liquid
forms
• Carbonation
• Inserting
• Organic decay (grain elevators, sewers,
storage bins, wells)
• Fermentation (digesters, molasses pits, beer
and wine vats
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Abbreviations: Toxicants

• ppm parts per million

1% = 10,000 ppm
• IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life or
Health
• PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
• TLV Threshold Limit Value
• TWA 8-hour Time Weighted Average
• STEL Short Term Exposure Limit (15 min)

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Colorless, odorless gas

• Slightly lighter than air
• Chemical asphyxiant
• Primary source: incomplete combustion
of organic material
• Gasoline-fueled combustion engines

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

• Sewer gas, stink gas (rotten eggs)

• Odor threshold: 0.02-0.2 ppm
• Colorless, flammable gas
• Heavier than air

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Contaminants

US&A (v. 2/07)

Physical
Hazards
 Engulfment

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Configuration

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Lockout/Tagout

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
is an integral component
of any confined space

management
program.

• Confined space entry

procedures and LOTO Checking the 'key-box' and LOTO
are not simply OSHA procedures posted adjacent to the
worksite at Boiler #1 in the Heat Plant
and DILHR mandated
work rules, but are part
of an effective safety/risk
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Noise

• Noise can be amplified

because of the design
or acoustic properties
of a confined space.
Excessive noise can
permanently damage
hearing as well as
affect communications
regarding work
performed or warnings.

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Other Atmospheric Conditions

• While not an air

contaminant, high
temperatures and
high humidity can
make work
uncomfortable in
some locations such
as steam pits

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Falling Objects

• Workers in
confined spaces
should be aware
of the potential for
falling objects.
• In particular,
hazards are
prevalent in
spaces that have
topside openings
for entry and
where work is
being done above
the worker.

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Other Hazards

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Other Hazards

US&A (v. 2/07)

Psychological
Hazards
 Psychological Hazards

• These include
claustrophobia or other
problems associated
with being in a dark,
cramped or isolated
space.
• Such hazards can be
magnified by a worker’s
physical condition.
• A person in poor
physical condition may
become easily fatigued.

US&A (v. 2/07)

Equipment &
Emergency
Retrieval
 Communication

• Alert supervisor
upon entering and
leaving

• For Permit Space

Entry, maintain
contact with
attendant throughout
entire scheduled
operation
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Ventilators/Blowers

• Always push clean air in

• If using a portable generator to
power blower, make sure
exhaust from generator is
positioned downward from the
confined space
• If using an extension cord to
power blower, use GFCI cord
• Do not use blowers in
enclosed spaces where
damaged asbestos exists

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Purge Times

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Safety Equipment

• Do not enter a
confined
space without
hands-on
training in
use of
equipment

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Safety Equipment

• Body Harness:
Straps which may be
secured about an
employee in a
manner that will
distribute the fall
arrest forces over at
least the thighs,
pelvis, waist, chest
and shoulders with
means for attaching
it to other
components of a
personal fall arrest
system

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Safety Equipment

• Adjusting harness
– Your harness must fit and
be adjusted correctly in
order to work comfortably
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Safety Equipment

• Lanyard:
A flexible line
used to
secure a
body belt or
Lanyards body
harness to a
lifeline or
directly to a
point of
anchorage.

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Safety Equipment

• Connector:
A device used to couple (connect)
parts of the personal fall arrest
system, such as a carabiner, or
it may be an integral
component of part of the
system (such as a buckle or
“D-ring” sewn into a body belt
or body harness, or a snap-
hook spliced or sewn to a Carabiners
lanyard or self-retracting
lanyard.)

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Safety Equipment

• Lifeline:
A line provided for direct
or indirect attachment to
a worker’s body belt,
body harness, lanyard
or deceleration device.
Such lifelines may be
horizontal or vertical in
application

Retractable life lines

US&A (v. 2/07)
 Other PPE

• Hard Hat
• Boots
• Safety Glasses

US&A (v. 2/07)

Protecting Openings to Confined
Spaces
• When opening is in a
public walkway, ADA
compliant barricades must
be set up to protect the
pedestrian traffic from all
directions.
• Barricades must be lit
during hours of darkness.
• When out of pedestrian
traffic and sidewalks,
tripod and attendant
should be sufficient to
protect public from
confined space openings.
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Assembling Tripod

• Extend legs so
that the tripod
will stand at
least 8’ above
the opening
• Fully extend the
legs if using
tripod on “built
-up” manholes
• Use better body
mechanics
US&A (v. 2/07)
Attaching Winch to Tripod

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Attaching Lifeline to Tripod

• Disconnect
the pulley
assembly
• Run lifeline
over the
pulley
• Reconnect
the pulley
assembly

US&A (v. 2/07)

Attaching and Testing Winch

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Positioning Tripod

• Adjust the legs

so that the
pulley is
centered over
the opening of
the confined
space

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Emergency Response

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Entry Supervisor’s Duties

The authorized entry supervisor’s duties include the

following:

• Know space hazards including information on the mode of

exposure, signs or symptoms and consequences of exposure
• Verify emergency plans and specified entry conditions such as
permits, tests, procedures and equipment before allowing entry
• Terminate entry and cancel permits when entry operations are
completed or if a new condition exists
• Take appropriate measures to remove unauthorized entrants
• Ensure that entry operations remain consistent with the entry
permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Emergency Retrieval

• All UWM workers will be trained to do non-entry rescue

• Rescue involving entry into the confined space will be done by

the Milwaukee Fire Department Urban Rescue Team
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Non-Entry Rescue

DO NOT ENTER THE

CONFINED SPACE
YOURSELF!!
• Call for help. Use your
two way communication
to get assistance.
• Call campus police at 9-
911. Relay your • While awaiting help, use
location, the nature of retrieval system to get
the incident and
emphasize the incident your partner out of the
has occurred in a space, only if the rescue is
confined space. a simple vertical
withdrawal.
US&A (v. 2/07)
 Non-Entry Rescue

• Do not move your partner

if you suspect a head or
neck injury has
occurred.
• Do not attempt a non-
entry rescue if the person
would be dragged around
a corner or between
obstacles which could
entangle your partner.

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Review

• If you are
involved at
all in
confined
space work,
be sure you
are
comfortable
with
emergency
procedures

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Potential Hazards

• Identify
the
potential
hazards of
this
confined
space

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Is This Safe?

Is this Safe?

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Is This Safe?

INCORRECT
Even putting your head into
confined space without
ventilation and monitoring can
be dangerous

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Is This Safe?

CORRECT
Confined space should be
ventilated before entry.

US&A (v. 2/07)

 Conclusion

• Remember – A safe worker is a happy worker!

US&A (v. 2/07)