Confined Spaces – Part 2

An Overview of the
Confined Spaces Standard

January, 2011
 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 - WAC 296-809
Part 2 of this overview will cover the following:

 Confined space entry procedures

 Confined space permits

 Employee training needs

 Confined space worker duties

 Emergency and rescue services

 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.

Confined Spaces Entry Procedures
What Determines 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 can assure that there are no hazardous

atmospheres or other hazards, can you avoid the required
permit procedures for entry.
Confined Space Entry Procedures (continued)
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.
 Alternate entry requirements (continued)

• 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.
 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
 Air Monitoring – Check All Levels
Different gases and vapors can be found at different levels

Methane: 0.55
Ammonia: 0.59 Lighter than
Carbon Monoxide: 0.96
air gases
Nitrogen: 0.97

Air: 1.0
Hydrogen Sulfide: 1.2
Carbon Dioxide: 1.5
Heavier than
Gasoline vapors: 3-4
air gases
Jet Fuel vapors: 4.7
 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 Don’t place a blower intake near a
running engine!
area of clean air.
• Exhaust ventilation must be used
when welding or using chemicals in a
confined space.
• Watch out for pockets of unventilated
contaminated air.
 Written Permit System
What is required in a written permit system?

A written permit for each entry

Extensive employee training

Employee assigned duties

 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

 The Written Permit (Continued)
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

 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.
 Respiratory Protection (continued)
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.
 Employee Training Take
Time
To
General Requirements Train

• Train before assigning duties

• Train before changing duties

• Train whenever operations present a new hazard

 Employee Training (Continued) Take
Time
To
General Requirements Train

Retrain whenever there is reason to believe:

There are deviations from the established

procedures

There are inadequacies in the employee’s

knowledge of procedures.
 Employee Training (Continued)
General Requirements

Training must establish proficiency.

The employer must certify that this training has been done
and meets the confined space regulations.

ining
Space Tra
Confined

Training must be done by qualified, knowledgeable trainers.

Use professional trainers as needed.
 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.

 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

 Permit System Job Duties (Continued)
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.
Permit System Job Duties (Continued)
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

attempts to enter the space
Permit System Job Duties (Continued)
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 and when to summon

• Knows how to do non-entry rescues

Permit System Job Duties (Continued)
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

 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.
 Rescue Services
Using Outside Rescue Services
Carefully evaluate the prospective service’s ability
to perform as needed.

Tell the service about the hazards inside the space

Let the service practice mock rescues in the confined
space.

Note: Some fire departments are not

trained or not available to do confined
space rescue. Check with them first.

For further information on evaluating a rescue service, click here.

 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

 Non-entry Rescue
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.
 Non-entry Rescue
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.
 Additional Information
L & I Confined Spaces Webpage
For more information on how to put together a
confined space program for your workplace, go
to: http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/confinedspace/helpfultools.htm

OSHA – Confined Spaces Webpage

NIOSH - Confined Spaces Webpage
WorkSafe BC – Confined Spaces online video – 13 minutes
For additional assistance, you can call one of our consultants.
Click below for local L & I office locations:
http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/consultation/regional_consultants.htm

Note: For review, a 3 question quiz with answers follows this slide.
 Confined Space Quiz

Question 1
When is a written permit system required to enter a
confined space?

a) Any time you enter a confined space

b) When the hazards are not all eliminated
c) When a hazardous atmosphere is detected
d) When the confined space can’t be ventilated
 Confined Space Quiz

Question 1 - Answer
When is a written permit system required to enter a
confined space?

a) Any time you enter a confined space

b) When the hazards are not all eliminated
c) When a hazardous atmosphere is detected
d) When the confined space can’t be ventilated

Both answers are correct

 Confined Space Quiz

Question 2

Which of the following is not a duty of an attendant?

a) Constantly monitors the confined space

b) Keeps in communication with the entrant
c) Enters the confined space to rescue an
entrant who has collapsed
d) Summons help when an entrant collapses
 Confined Space Quiz

Question 2 - Answer

Which of the following is not a duty of an attendant?

a) Constantly monitors the confined space

b) Keeps in communication with the entrant
c) Enters the confined space to rescue an
entrant who has collapsed
d) Summons help when an entrant collapses
 Confined Space Quiz

Question 3

When should you call the local fire department to rescue

workers in a confined space?

a) In an emergency
b) After all attempts to rescue the workers have failed
c) After you have checked with them first
d) Never, they don’t know what to do
 Confined Space Quiz

Question 3 - Answer

When should you call the local fire department to rescue

workers in a confined space?

a) In an emergency
b) After all attempts to rescue the workers have failed
c) After you have checked with them first
d) Never, they don’t know what to do