NMA Confined Space Entry Standard - 404

3 March 2020
Revision 2.2.1

© 2020 by Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

This document contains Chevron’s confidential and proprietary information. Use of this document is
prohibited, except as authorized by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and/or its affiliated Chevron companies.

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Key Terms and Definitions ...................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Requirements............................................................................................................................. 1
Appendix G1: NMA Specific Tasks for Confined Space Entry Roles ....................................... 4
Appendix G2: Atmospheric Testing, Acceptable Limits ............................................................ 5
Appendix G3: Emergency Rescue ................................................................................................. 5
Appendix G4: Confined Space Ventilation Guide ....................................................................... 5

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1.0 Introduction
Confined Space Entry requirements are designed to help prevent injuries to personnel, property
damage or adverse environmental impact. Confined spaces are defined as spaces large enough and so
configured that a worker can bodily enter and perform assigned work, have limited or restricted
means for entry or exit (e.g. tanks, vessels, furnaces, pipelines, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, sumps,
pits and excavations) and are not designed for continuous worker occupancy.

This NMA Confined Space Entry Standard – 404 aligns with the corporate and U&G requirements for
confined space entry, including confined spaces with special hazardous characteristics (e.g. OSHA
permit-required confined space).

This standard applies to work performed by Chevron employees and their delegates and contractors
within NMA.

2.0 Key Terms and Definitions

See the MSW Process Glossary for key terms and definitions.

3.0 Requirements
1. Always consider safer alternatives before performing confined space entry (e.g. use of mechanical
tools to perform tank cleaning). The following are some examples of a confined space:
a. Any type of vessel
b. Any type of steam generator, boiler, heat exchanger or furnace
c. Stationary and portable tanks
d. Sumps or pits
e. External floating roofs that are not at their maximum height
f. Access to the top of an internal floating roof
g. Excavations
h. Pipeline (large enough to allow a person to place his or her head inside)
i. Barge compartments
j. Cofferdam and void spaces
k. Ballast tanks
l. Cargo tanks

2. Confined spaces must be visibly identifiable to the workforce (e.g. signage, barricades, etc.).
3. Measures must be in place to prevent unauthorized entry into confined spaces. ((e.g. Barriers,
Entry (Safety) Watch))
4. Always conduct a planning phase hazard analysis for confined spaces with special hazardous
conditions in accordance with the NMA Hazard Analysis Procedure prior to beginning confined
space activities.
5. A confined space entry planning phase hazard analysis must also include, but is not limited to:
a. Acceptable entry conditions (e.g. oxygen concentration, %LEL, etc.).
b. Gas testing frequency.
c. Personal protective equipment requirements.
d. Isolation of hazardous energy requirements.
e. Prevention of unauthorized entry into the confined space.
f. Specialized equipment (e.g. respiratory equipment, rescue equipment, first aid, etc.).
g. Continuous ventilation requirements. (see Appendix G4)
h. Heat stress conditions. (See NMA OE Guidance on occupational hygiene heat stress.
The potential for heat stress during confined space entry must be evaluated and
managed by the Work Team Lead based on the conditions at the entry site.)
i. Illumination / lighting conditions.

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 j. The structural integrity of the structure.
k. The potential hazards including:
i. The identity and nature of the substance last contained in the confined space.
ii. Chemical: gases & vapors (benzene, carbon monoxide, steam, etc.), liquids
(hydrocarbons, sulfuric acids, etc.), solids (dust, welding fumes, etc.).
iii. Physical: electrocution risk, oxygen deficiency, noise, naturally occurring
radioactive materials (NORM).
iv. Other: engulfment, entrapment, fall potential, etc.
v. Pyrophoric Scale – Iron sulfide that can be formed in tanks which store sulfur
containing products, e.g., sour crude oil, naphtha, etc., due to a reaction
between sulfur compounds and rust. The reaction between iron sulfide and
air can generate sufficient heat to ignite any flammable vapors in the vicinity.
vi. Any areas that could trap and later release product or vapor.
l. The state of health, fitness and training of the authorized entrants

6. Rescue plans must be developed for a confined space with special hazardous characteristics and
include, but are not limited to:
a. Location of trained responders (onsite and/or offsite).
b. Rescue equipment.
c. Accessibility to confined space.
d. Use of retrieval systems (e.g. chest/full-body harness with retrieval line, wristlets,
mechanical devices for vertical spaces greater than or equal to 1.52 meters (5 feet),
etc.) to eliminate the need for entry-required rescue.
e. Required frequency of rescue drills (drills must be performed annually at a
minimum).
7. Always wait for the rescue team to arrive in emergency situations before attempting to enter a
confined space.
a. Only trained rescue personnel should enter a confined space during emergency
situations. See Appendix G3: Emergency Rescue
8. Confined Space entry permits must be used for confined spaces with special hazardous
conditions. All confined space entries require confined space entry permit authorization in
accordance with the NMA Permit to Work Procedure.
9. Work must be stopped, hazards assessed and mitigated, and all permits must be revalidated prior
to work resuming when, including but not limited to:
a. The job site is left unattended for any period of time. e.g. all personnel exited the
confined space due to a lunch break or work stoppage and no one remained at the site
to monitor the conditions in the confined space
b. The Entry Watch leaves the confined space entry area without a qualified
replacement.
c. Gas testing results exceed acceptable atmospheric working conditions.
d. Equipment failure (e.g. portable or continuous gas testing equipment; ventilation
system, etc.).
e. An incident and/or near miss occurs.
f. The Qualified Gas Tester did not conduct gas testing
g. The scope of work has changed, such as work not originally anticipated being added
h. Facility emergency alarms were activated
i. Unsafe conditions are found that were not previously known
j. The workers reached the time limit designated on the Confined Space Entry Permit
9.1 During any non-emergency work stoppage, the job site must be left in a safe condition, with
non-essential equipment turned off and the entrance secured.
10. A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) must be conducted at the work site in accordance with the NMA
Hazard Analysis Procedure prior to beginning confined space activities.
11. Gas detection must be performed by a Qualified Gas Tester in accordance with the NMA
Portable Gas Detection Standard when conducting confined space activities.

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 a. Workers have the right to observe gas testing and gas monitoring activities.
b. A separate Confined Space Entry permit must be issued for the Qualified Gas Tester
in accordance with the NMA Permit to Work Procedure if he or she must enter a
confined space with special hazardous characteristics for initial testing.
c. If initial readings are not acceptable, then further ventilation is required.
i. Refer to Confined Space Ventilation Guide on Appendix G4.
ii. Appendix G2: Atmospheric Testing, Acceptable Limits lists some examples
of testing considerations and limits. Refer to the permit documentation for
additional testing requirements and acceptable limits.
12. Confined spaces with special hazardous characteristics must include, but are not limited to, the
following additional precautions:
a. Onsite rescue team.
b. Rescue equipment.
c. Entry watch
d. Entry supervisor or equivalent.
13. Confined spaces with special hazardous characteristics must have a dedicated entry watch and an
entry supervisor (or equivalent) that perform the following required activities:
a. Maintains constant contact (voice and/or visual) with workers inside the confined
space.
b. Maintains the entry log of all persons entering and leaving a confined space onsite (at
the confined space point of entry). The log must be updated for each authorized entry
and exit from the confined space.
c. Remains outside the confined space until relieved of duty or until all workers have
exited the confined space.
d. Monitors conditions and activities to evaluate the safety of entry.
e. Understands communication protocols for emergency situations (e.g. knows who to
contact).
14. Entry into inert atmospheres is always considered a highly hazardous activity. Entry into a
confined space under an inert atmosphere requires special consideration and is prohibited for
everyone except persons specially trained in inert atmospheric entry (usually specialized
contractors). Inert atmosphere entry requirements include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Always consider alternative activities prior to entering inert atmospheres.
b. Always conduct a planning phase hazard analysis with input from a Subject Matter
Expert.
c. Always use written inert atmosphere entry procedures.
d. Always use an air-supplied positive pressure breathing apparatus with a self-
contained cylinder (escape set) or other independent backup air supply.
e. Always requires approval by a Chevron high level manager (e.g. facility manager,
operations manager, Offshore Installation Manager, etc.).
15. Downgraded confined spaces do not require an onsite rescue team and entry supervisor. To
downgrade a confined space with special hazardous characteristics, the following conditions must
be met:
a. No hazardous atmosphere exists.
b. The potential for a hazardous atmosphere does not exist.
c. No engulfment hazards exist within the confined space.
d. No access/egress hazards exist.
e. No recognized serious potential safety or health hazard exists.
f. Documentation of the downgrade (i.e. date of downgrade and authorization.
signature) must be maintained at the worksite and attached to the permits in
accordance with the NMA Permit to Work Procedure.
16. An annual documented review of all confined space entries with special hazardous characteristics
(including permits) must be conducted to assess the need for execution improvement.
17. Personnel assigned responsibilities in confined space roles must be trained and competent.
a. Training requirements must be documented.

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 b. Competency assessments must be documented.

The following roles and responsibilities are specific to confined space entry and are further
defined in the NMA MSW Training and Competency Verification Standard:
• Authorized Confined Space Entrant – Authorized Workers
• Entry Supervisor – Facility Supervisor
• Entry (Safety) Watch
• Qualified Gas Tester
• Rescue Personnel
In addition to the roles and responsibilities, additional responsibilities and tasks for roles listed
above and for the Site Checker (Operator/Facility Representative) and the Backup Person are
outlined in Appendix G1: NMA Specific Tasks for Confined Space Entry Roles.

Appendix G1: NMA Specific Tasks for Confined Space Entry Roles

Appendix G1 - NMA
Specific Tasks for Confined Space Entry Roles.docx

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Appendix G2: Atmospheric Testing, Acceptable Limits

Appendix G2 -
Atmospheric Testing, Acceptable Limits.docx

Appendix G3: Emergency Rescue

Appendix G3 -
Emergency Rescue.docx

Appendix G4: Confined Space Ventilation Guide

Confined Space
Ventilation Guide.pdf