Confined Space

Entry

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 Confined Space Overview
• Definitions
• Confined Space Hazards
• Equipment Requirements

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 Learning Objectives
• Regulatory Requirements
• Definitions
• Confined Space Hazards
• Hazard Identification

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 Learning Objectives
• Responsibilities
• Entry Permits
• Lock-Out / Tag Out
• Atmospheric Monitoring
• Training Requirements
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 Learning Objectives
• Alternate Entry Procedures
• Reclassification
• Respiratory Protection

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 Facts
• About 2.1 million workers enter
permit confined spaces Annually
• The majority of fatalities in confined
space emergencies occur to rescuers

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 Confined space is defined as the
interior of an enclosed area or
structure
• (a) is enclosed or partially enclosed,
• (b) is not designed or intended for continuous
human occupancy,
• (c) has limited or restricted means for entry or
exit that may complicate the provision of first
aid, evacuation, rescue or other emergency
response service, and
• (d) is large enough and so configured that a
worker could enter to perform assigned work; 7
 Engulfment

• Being buried by free flowing loose granular

materials such as sawdust or earth
• Being drowned in liquids

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 Isolation

• Separating piping from a confined

space

• May include blanking, blinding and

double block & bleed

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 Examples of
Confined Spaces Are:
• Vessels • Silo’s
• Tanks (septic, etc.) • Trenches
• Pipes (sewer, drain, • Tunnels
utility, etc.) • Storage Bins
• Vaults • Manholes
• Pits • Bore holes

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 Entry into Confined Spaces
may be necessary to
periodically perform the
following functions:
• Construction • Inspection
• Maintenance • Cleaning
• Removal • Repairing

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 Hazards presenting a potential
for injury, illness or death

• Toxic gases above the • Flammable gas above

PEL 10% of the LEL
• Oxygen deficiency • Potential for IDLH
• Oxygen enrichment atmospheres
• Potential for
engulfment

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 Ignition Sources
• A fire or explosion can occur due to:
– Static electricity
– Metal friction
– Unapproved lamps or electrical equipment
– Cigarettes Therefore NO SMOKING
– Sparks from grinding or welding

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 Toxic Contaminants
• Above TLV should be considered a serious
potential hazard
• IDLH conditions pose serious danger to
workers
• Contaminants may already be inside the
space and/or introduced by work
operations

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 Oxygen deficient atmosphere
• May occur as a result of
– The work being done (welding)
– Chemical reactions (rusting)
– Bacterial decomposition
• May also occur by displacement of
another gas
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 Low oxygen symptoms
• 16% - Rapid breathing, drowsiness
• 14% - Faulty judgement, rapid
fatigue
• 12% - Unconscious
• 6% - Death

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 In Potential
Oxygen deficient atmospheres

• Users Must wear SCBA or

combination airline with
egress cylinder

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 The hazards of each confined
space shall be identified by:

• Review of the past and current uses of

the confined space
• Physical characteristics, configuration
and location of the space

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 Existing or potential confined
space hazards

• Oxygen deficiency
• Flammable or explosive atmosphere
• Toxic Atmosphere
• Mechanical devices
• Physical obstacles
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 Hazards identified need to be
evaluated by a qualified person
with respect to:
• Scope of the hazard exposure
• Likelihood of hazard occurrence
• Consequence of hazard occurrence
• Potential for changing conditions
• Strategies for eliminating or controlling
• Emergency response capabilities
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 Pre-Planning -
Blinding/Flushing
• Pipes/lines must be disconnected, blinded
or blocked off
• Physical locks are placed on breakers,
valves and chains
• Space shall be emptied, flushed or purged
of flammable or hazardous substances to
the extent feasible
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 Entry - Air Quality
• Test air initially & periodically with
calibrated and tested air monitor to
determine whether dangerous and/or
oxygen deficiency exists
• Eliminate ignition source introduction
until the hazardous condition has been
eliminated
• Obtain hot work permit for ignition
producing activities
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 Entry - Air monitoring

• Oxygen deficient or enriched atmospheres

– Test for Oxygen first
– Less than 19.5% are IDLH
– Greater than 23.5 are Oxygen enriched

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 Entry - Air monitoring

• Flammable or Explosive Atmospheres

– Greater than 10% LEL are deemed
hazardous

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 Entry - Air monitoring

• If other toxics are suspected, must test or

provide adequate protection for worker if
above the PEL for the substance
• CO & H2S are most common toxics in
confined space entry

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 Entry - Air monitoring

• Maintain a written record of the

monitoring performed prior to and during
confined space operations.
• Employees shall have access to the
monitoring results

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 Entry - Air monitoring

• If dangerous air contamination/Oxygen

deficiency does not exist, entry into the
space requires that:
– Air monitoring shall be done with sufficient
frequency to ensure that a dangerous air
contamination and/or oxygen deficiency does
not occur during the operation

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 Entry - Retrieval Systems
• Approved retrieval system shall be set up
• Provide, inspect and test safety, rescue and
retrieval equipment
• The retrieval system shall be attached to
the workers using an approved harness
and line
• Wristlets may be used if it can be
demonstrated that a harness is not feasible
or creates a greater hazard
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 Entry - Retrieval Systems
• Retrieval line must be attached to a properly
rated mechanical devise or fixed point
outside the permit space
• The mechanical device must be available to
retrieve personnel from a vertical type
permit space 5 or more feet deep
• Lines & ropes should be configured within
the space as the Entrants’ route
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 Entry Permit

• Shall authorize entry only by designated

and trained workers, into a specific
confined space and for a specific purpose.
The following items are required on each
entry permit

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 Items for Entry Permit
• Known or suspected hazards
• Steps to isolate the space; lockout/tagout
• Measures to remove or control potential
hazards
– purging, inerting, ventilation
• Testing/monitoring equipment and
procedures for their use

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 Items for Entry Permit

• Emergency response team available

• Rescue equipment provided on-site
• The personal protective equipment to be
used

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 Items for Entry Permit

• Check list to assure & certify that all pre-

entry requirements have been met
• Name of person authorizing or in charge of
entry
• Name of attendant

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 Entry

• Recommended positive ventilation before

and during all confined space entries
– Where no fixed ventilation system exists, use a
portable explosion proof mechanical blower
– Place the blower intake line so that the make-up
air is not taken from a contaminated
environment

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Evaluation - Reclassification

• The only actual or potential hazard is

atmospheric contamination
• Continuous forced ventilation alone is
sufficient to maintain entry conditions
• Collect monitoring and inspection data to
support decision

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Reclassification Compliance
• Must have written entry procedures
• Non-atmospheric hazards remain eliminated
• Testing and inspection confirm all hazards
have and remain eliminated throughout
operations

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Reclassification Compliance
• Written documentation of hazard
elimination
• Documentation available to employees
• If hazards develop:
– employer must reevaluate confined space
operations to see if permit-required entry is
required

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 Pre-entry
• Barricade/guard rail entrance
• Test atmosphere with Calibrated
instrument
• Provide continuous forced ventilation
– Until hazards are eliminated
– Until entrants have vacated space
– Must be clean air supply

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 Entry
• Perform periodic atmospheric testing to
insure no hazardous atmosphere develops
• If hazardous atmosphere is detected:
– Immediately evacuate
– Investigate causes
– Implement additional protective measures prior
to re-entry

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 Confined Space Definition
• A space with concurrent existence
– Existing ventilation is insufficient to remove
dangerous air contamination and/or oxygen
deficiency which may exist or develop
– Ready access or egress for the removal of a
suddenly disabled employee is difficult due to
the location and/or size of the openings

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Dangerous Air Contamination

• Greater than 20% of the LEL

• Toxics greater than IDLH
• Oxygen less than 19.5%

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 Operating Procedures

• Written program
• Employee Training
– Potential hazards
– Operating procedures
– Rescue procedures (may be self rescue)

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 Pre-entry

• Hazardous lines must be blocked/blinded

• Exceptions!
– Sewers & storm drains where no dangerous air
contamination could occur
– Gas Utility distribution systems

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 Procedures

• Purge, flush & empty to extent feasible

• Test air - record data

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 Air Quality
• Acceptable Air - no hazards
– Test air frequently/continuously
• Dangerous Air Contamination
– augment existing ventilation
– retest atmosphere
• Controlled Air Quality
– enter space

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 Possible Dangerous Air

• Use appropriate, approved respiratory protection

• Use belt or harness for possible rescue
• One standby employee required
– suitable respiratory protection with
independent air source
– entry for rescue only upon notice to another
employee with sight
– communication is required if employee out of
sight
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Possible Combustible Gases

• No ignition sources (welding/cutting)

• Approved intrinsically safe lighting

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 Top opening entry

• Approved suspension harness

• Hoisting devise or other means of retrieval

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 Respiratory Protection

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 Program Requirements
• Written Plan on how it will be administered
• Complete assessment and knowledge of the
respiratory hazards
• Procedures and equipment to control the
hazards; engineering controls, work
practices
• Guidelines for selection of PPE

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 Program Requirements

• Employee Training Program Covering:

– Hazard Recognition
– Dangers associated with respiratory hazards
– Proper care, use, maintenance and inspection of
respirators

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 Respiratory Hazards Oxygen
Deficiency

• Must use supplied air respirator with egress

cylinder or
• Self contained breathing apparatus

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Particulate Contaminants

– Dust

– Mist

– Fume
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 Gas & Vapor Contaminants

• Inert gases
• Acidic gases
• Alkaline gases
• Organic compounds
• Organometallic compounds

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 Respirator Selection

• What is the Hazard

• What is the concentration level

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Respirator Protection Factors

• Depends on the applicable OSHA standard

– Lead
– Asbestos
– General Industry
– Other regulation
– DOE/DOD
– Your company policy
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 Respirator Maximum Use
Concentrations
• PEL of the contaminant times the respirator
protection factor is the Maximum Use
Concentration, but
• Must be less than the IDLH level
• Must have adequate warning properties
• Must be able to be filtered/absorbed

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