Confined Space Entry

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• Confined Spaces
come in all
shapes and
sizes!
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
 CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM
• CONFINED SPACE FATAL ACCIDENTS -
– 35% Supervisor or Higher
– 64% Did not need to enter
– 66% Water / Wastewater / Sewer / Construction
– 78% Oxygen deficient or IDLH toxic
– 95% No confined space training
– 100% No (or inadequate) powered ventilation
– 100% No instrument at site (to measure hazardous
atmosphere)
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
• Major Points
– Written plan of action for rescue is required.
– Ventilation is necessary if there is the potential for
atmosphere to move out of the acceptable range.
 CATEGORIZING WORK SPACES
• SPACE LARGE ENOUGH TO ENTER AND
• LIMITED OR RESTRICTED ENTRY OR EXIT AND
• NOT DESIGNED FOR CONTINUOUS OCCUPANCY
 CATEGORIZING WORK SPACES
• Requires a Permit if:
– HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE
– ENGULFMENT HAZARD
– CONFIGURATION HAZARD
– ANY RECOGNIZED SERIOUS HAZARD
 Categorizing Work Spaces
• Confined space
– Restricted means of entry/exit
– Large enough for employee to enter & work
– Not designed for continuous occupancy
• Permit required confined space
– Potential for hazardous atmosphere
– Potential of material engulfing worker
– Configuration that may trap worker
– Contains other recognized hazards
 PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED
SPACE PROGRAM
• Atmospheres • Other Hazards
– Oxygen-deficient –Engulfment
atmosphere
–Falling Objects
– Oxygen-enriched
atmosphere –Temperature Extremes
– Flammable atmosphere –Falls / Slick/wet surfaces
– Toxic gases and vapors –Toxic / Corrosive chemicals
–Moving parts/ equipment
HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE
One slip and you’re gone!
• Too much Oxygen over 23.5%
• Too little Oxygen under 19.5%
• Flammable atmosphere 10%LEL
• Carbon Monoxide 35ppm
 OXYGEN-DEFICIENCY
O2 Content Effects and Symptoms (at patm)
15-19% Decreased ability to work strenuously. May impair coordination
and induce early symptoms in persons with coronory,
pulmonary, or circulatory problems.
12-14% Respiration increases in exertion, pulse up, impaired
coordination, perception, and judgment.
10-12% Respiration further increases in rate and depth, poor judgment,
lips blue.
8-10% Mental failure, fainting, unconsciousness, ashen face, blueness
of lips, nausea, and vomiting.
6-8% 8 min., 100% fatal; 6 min., 50% fatal; 4-5 min., recovery with
treatment.
4-6% Coma in 40 sec., convulsions, respiration ceases, death.
NOTE: Exposure to atmospheres containing 12% or less oxygen will bring about
unconsciousness without warning and so quickly that individuals cannot help or protect
themselves.
(Source: Compressed Gas Association Bulletin SB-2)
 CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
• Colorless, odorless noncombustible gas
• Heavier than air
• By-product of:
– Carbonation
– Inerting
– Organic decay
• grain elevators, sewers, storage bins, wells
– Fermentation
• digesters, molasses pits, beer and wine vats
 CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
• Colorless, odorless gas
• Slightly lighter than air
• Chemical asphyxiant
• Primary source: incomplete combustion of organic
material
• Gasoline-fueled combustion engines
 CONCENTRATION OF CO
AND SYMPTOMS
Percent ppm Effects
0.02 200 Possibly headache, mild frontal in 2-3 hrs.
0.04 400 Headache, frontal, and nausea after 1-2 hrs.; occipital after 2-1/2
to 3-1/2 hrs.
0.08 800 Headache, dizziness and nausea in 3/4 hour, collapse and
possibly unconsciousness in 2 hrs.
0.16 1,600 Headache, dizziness and nausea in 20 min.; collapse,
unconsciousness, possibly death in 2 hr.
0.32 3,200 Headache and dizziness in 5 to 10 min., unconsciousness and
danger of death in 30 min.
0.64 6,400 Headache and dizziness in 1 to2 min., unconsciousness and
danger of death in 10 to 15 min.
1.28 12,800 Immediate effect; unconsciousness and danger of death in 1 to 3
min.
(Source: Hamilton & Hardy)
 SYMPTOMS OF CO
EXPOSURE
Percent* Symptoms
0-10 Shortness of breath on exertion
10-20 Tightness across forehead, slight headache
20-30 Throbbing headache
30-40 Severe headache, nausea, vomiting, collapse on exertion
40-50 All symptoms increased, pulse rate and breathing
increased
50-70 Coma, interrupted breathing (Cheyne-Stokes), death

* Percent saturation of Hemoglobin with CO [Blood Levels]

(Adapted from Dubois and Geiling)

 PHYSICAL HAZARDS
• Thermal effects (heat and cold),
• Moving machine parts
• Noise
• Vibration
• Radiation
• Fatigue while working in a confined space
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
By removing the hazard, it
is possible to reclassify a
permit space as a non-
permit required space
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS
• Evaluate workplace
• Inform employees of
– existence, location, & danger
• If employees enter:
– Develop written program
– Train and educate employees
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
• Air Testing Monitor
• Full Body Harness
• Communication
Equipment
• Protective Eyewear
• Protective Helmet
• Protective Boots
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
• Entry into Permit Required
Spaces takes teamwork!
• Supervisor, Entrant and
Attendant depend on each
other.
 ENTRY DUTIES
SUPERVISOR
• Know space hazards & consequences
• Verify emergency plans, test procedures, and
proper equipment
• Terminate/cancel permits (upon completion or
change
• Remove unauthorized personnel
• Ensure operation remains consistent with entry
permit and conditions
 ENTRY DUTIES
AUTHORIZED ENTRANT
• Know space hazards and consequences
• Use appropriate PPE
• Maintain communication with attendant
• Exit ASAP on order or when hazard is observed
• Alert attendant when prohibited condition exists
or symptoms of exposure
 ENTRY DUTIES
ATTENDANT
• Perform no other duties that interfere Know
existing & potential hazards
• Summon rescue & emergency service
• Keep unauthorized personnel out
• Order evacuation as necessary
• Maintain communication
• Remain outside space
 WRITTEN PERMITS
• Valid for a specified amount of time
• Lists equipment for safe entry
• Lists atmospheric testing results
• Specifies rescue team provisions
• Signed by the site supervisor
• Identifies by name:
– The supervisor
– Attendant
– Entrant
 PERMIT SYSTEM
• Permit signed by supervisor
• Entry permits include:
– Test results & tester initials or signature
– Supervisor name & signature
– Name of space and personnel (by duty)
– Purpose & control measures in place
– Name & number of rescue/emergency service
– Acceptable entry conditions
– Special equipment & communication procedures
 WRITTEN PROGRAM
• Identify and evaluate space
• Test conditions in space and monitor
• Perform testing for atmospheric hazards
• Prevention of unauthorized entry
• Establish/implement procedures & practices
• Identify employee duties
• Provide, maintain, & require PPE
• One attendant minimum
• Procedures for calling rescue & emergency service
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
GAS DETECTOR
•Oxygen content
•Flammability
•Explosion potential
•Carbon monoxide
•Hydrogen sulfide

Critical issues -
•Training
•Procedures
•Calibration
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
• Draw samples without entering the space!
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
• Normal Readings
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
Bad Reading!! Evil Reading!!
Oxygen level too low!!
Alarm is going off!!
 ROLE OF ENTRANT
• Authorized to enter
• Be aware of prohibited conditions
• Use Personal Protective Equipment
• Evacuate immediately on order of attendant
• Begin self rescue in hazards
• Be alert to exposure
 ROLE OF ATTENDANT
• Must be stationed outside to monitor
• Special training to recognize hazards
• Maintain effective contact with entrant
• You are the entrant’s eyes and ears
• Order evacuation in hazardous situation
 COMMUNICATION
• Entrant and attendant must maintain contact
• Have backup communication system
• Methods
– Simple voice
– Radios
– Telephone
– “Tug Signals” on the cable
 SELF-RESCUE
• At first sign or trouble notify attendant and begin
evacuation
• Attendant notifies other workers to evacuate
• Rescue team notified if necessary
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
• At times a simple fan will
ventilate the permit
required confined space
enough to eliminate the
hazard
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
NON-ENTRY RESCUE

• Entrant wears a harness

• Cable attached to the harness
• Use a hand crank!
• Wristlets may be used
RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
 EMERGENCIES
• Employer responsibilities:
– Rescuers provided with required PPE
– Trained to perform rescue duties
– Rescuers have authorized entrant’s training
– Practice rescue exercises completed yearly
• Full body harness and mechanical device
 EMERGENCIES
Confined Space Rescue
teams must practice
annually at each confined
space they may provide
rescue from
The employer must verify
that the rescue team can
perform rescue missions!