ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

ELEMENT NINE

Confined Space Entry

Page 1 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

Instructor show video program or power points with this section

ELEMENT 9 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

9.1
The hub of confined space rules is a required entry permit system that applies to
specifically defined "permit-required confined". Facilities must evaluate their
workplaces to identify all confined spaces that meet the definition for "permit-required
confined space" (permit space). If one or more permit spaces on-site, the facility must
comply with the remaining provisions of the confined space rule, including preparation
of a written confined space entry program, prior to entry of any confined space by an
employee.

Facilities that do not allow employees to enter permit spaces must take action to
prevent unauthorised entry, such as introducing barriers, supplemented by signs, or
informing employees of the existence and location of permit spaces. Also, facilities
must inform contractors hired to perform entry operations of information regarding the
permit space and hazards.

Prior to entry into permit spaces by employees, each facility must develop a written,
permit-space entry program, available for inspection by employees and their
representatives, to:
• Prevent un-authorized entry of permit spaces;
• Identify and evaluate hazards before employees enter permit spaces;
• Develop and implement entry procedures and practices;
• Provide testing, monitoring, communications, personal protective, rescue, and other
equipment at no cost to employees;
• Evaluate permit-space conditions when entry operations are conducted;
• Provide at least one attendant outside the permit space during entry operations;
• Designate personnel with roles in entry operations, identify duties, and train;
• Develop procedures to summon rescue and emergency services;

Page 2 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

• Develop a system to prepare, issue, and cancel entry permits; and

• Review the permit-space entry program when deficiencies are found, or at least
within one year after each entry.

A confined space can be defined as a space that: has adequate size and configuration
that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; has limited means of
access or egress; and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

A permit-required confined space is defined as a confined space that presents or has the
potential present one or more of the following: an atmospheric hazard; an engulfment
hazard; a configuration hazard; or any other recognised serious hazard.

9.2
Prior to entering any permit space, acceptable entry conditions must be verified through
testing and an entry permit must be completed and signed by an entry supervisor to
authorise entry. The entry permit must spell out:
• Purpose of the entry;
• Identity of the permit space;
• Hazards posed by the permit space;
• Specific measures taken to remove or control permit space hazards;
• Date and duration of the permit;
• A system of tracking authorised entrants;
• Name of the current attendant and entry supervisor;
• Acceptable entry conditions;
• Recorded test results corresponding to entry conditions;
• Rescue and emergency services that can be summoned;
• Communication procedures to be used between entrants and attendants;
• A list of all equipment used to comply with entry requirements;
• Any additional permits issued to authorise work in the permit space.

The entry permit must be made available at the time of entry to authorised entrants.
Also, the duration of the permit cannot exceed the time required to complete the
authorised work within the space. Permits must be canceled by the entry supervisor
when authorised work is completed or when a prohibited condition arises. Canceled
permits must be retained for one year, to be used in the annual review of the permit
space program.

Other key aspects of a permit-space entry operation include accurate identification,

testing, evaluation and control of hazards, determination of acceptable entry conditions,
isolation of the space prior to entry, and periodic testing and monitoring of permit space
conditions throughout the entry operation.

Page 3 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

This regulation also mandates that an attendant and entry supervisor monitors entry
operations for the duration of the entry permit. The rule also assigns specific duties to
personnel (entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, emergency responders, and rescue
personnel) involved in permit space entry operations. Additionally, specific training,
both initial and refresher are required for all participants in permit space entry
operations.

9.3 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM ( EXAMPLE )

9.3.1 Introduction
A confined space entry program is intended to coordinate the practices and procedures
to protect employees from the hazards of entry into confined spaces. A Confined Space
Entry Program is an integral part of 'our' Health & Safety Program.

9.3.2 Scope
This guideline describes the requirements for a Confined Space entry Program. It is
intended to assist each division and their respective plants by providing a framework
for establishing and maintaining their own confined Space Entry Program directed at
their specific activity. Each site will continue to meet or exceed all governmental
standards and regulations established for the region or location of operation. Plant
Management at each location should determine the scope of a Confined Space Entry
Program. This guideline should also apply to outside contractors who perform work
involving confined space entry operations at our locations.

A Confined Space Entry program should contain the following key elements:
• Recognition, identification and safeguarding of all confined spaces;
• A written detailed program;
• Pre-entry preparation;
• Testing of the atmosphere;
• Use of safeguards to assure risks are eliminated;
• Duties of the safety observer/attendant, entry supervisor, and authorised entrant;
• Written permit system;
• Emergency response;
• Employee training;
• Program administration, documentation, evaluation; and
• Outside contractors

9.3.3 Recognition, identification, and safeguarding of all confined spaces

• Each plant site should evaluate the workplace to determine if there are any confined
spaces on the premises.

Page 4 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

Note: A confined space is a space that:

• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform
assigned work; and
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos,
storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pit spaces that may have limited means of entry
and exit; and
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
• Once all spaces are identified, each space should be reviewed and defined as
permit-required confined space or non-permit required confined space.
Note: Permit-required confined space (permit space) means a confined
space that has one or more of the following characteristics.
Instructor show Confined Space Entry Video or Power Point
Presentation
• Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
• Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;
• Has an external configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated
by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downwards and tapers to a
smaller cross-section; or
• Contains any other recognised serious safety or health hazard.

If the workplace contains permit-required confined spaces, plant management should

inform exposed employees by posting signs at each space indicating the existence and
location of the confined space. Note: A sign reading "Danger -- Permit-Required
Confined Space. Do not enter” or similar language would satisfy this requirement.

Plant management should take effective measures to prevent inadvertent entry into any
permit-required confined space.

Page 5 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

If a confined space has been determined to be a non-permit confined space this

guideline would not be applicable. Other standards should be consulted to determine
their applicability to the non-permit-confined space.

Note: Non-permit confined space means a confined space that does not
contain, or with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to
contain any hazard capable of causing serious injury or death.
Instructor show non-permit confined space video or power point
presentation

9.3.4 Written Detailed Confined Space Entry Program

A written detailed confined space entry program should be established for all plant
locations where permit-required confined spaces are present. The written plan should
be made available to employees and their representatives and should address the
following:
• Prevention of unauthorized entry into permit spaces;
• Identification and evaluation of hazards before employees enter permit spaces;
• Development and implementation of entry procedures and practices;
• Provisions for testing, monitoring, communications, personal protective equipment,
rescue, and other equipment at no cost to employees;
• Evaluation of permit space conditions when entry operations are conducted;
• Provisions of at least one attendant outside the permit space during entry
operations;
• Identifications of specific duties and roles for all personnel involved in permit-
required confined space entry operations;
• In-depth training of all personnel involved with permit space entry operations;
• Procedures to summon rescue and emergency services;
• Provisions for review and upgrading of permit-required space entry procedures; and
• Provisions for reclassification of permit-required confined spaces to non-permit
confined spaces.

9.3.5 Pre-entry Preparation

There are three major areas of responsibility that should be taken into consideration in
preparation for entering any permit-required confined space. These considerations are
as follows:
• The entry team (specific duties of each team member are defined later)
• A pre-entry briefing with all entry team members, including safety observer and
rescue team should be conducted. This briefing should be the responsibility of the
Supervisor, and include topics such as:
• The task or assignment to be completed;
• The tools and equipment to be used; (may include non-sparking tools,
• grinders, welding and cutting instruments, etc.);

Page 6 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

• The potential hazards or risks involved with the task or assignment, (may include
Oxygen deficiency, flammables, toxic chemicals, heat
• stress, mechanical hazards, etc.);
• How to recognize symptoms of overexposure from the various potential hazards or
risks;
• Personal protective to be utilised, (may include respirators, hearing protection,
special gloves and full protective suit, boots, face and eye protection, etc.);
• Emergency response actions detailing each individual's role and responsibility;
• What if scenarios should be discuss, along with the appropriate response to each
situation; and
• Each team member should fully understand his/her responsibility and job task prior
to entry into the permit space.

The equipment utilized

• A review and discussion of the types of equipment that will be utilised for permit
space entry should be conducted. This review should consider topics such as:
• Electrical equipment that would be used within the permit space should be 12 volt,
or ground fault isolated outside of the space;
• Welding leads should be in good repair;
• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's) should be at the location and on
standby if in-house rescue teams are utilised and have to enter the permit space;
• Harnesses, lifelines and retrieval systems should be supplied;
• Communication equipment for entry and emergency notification should be supplied
and in good working order;
• Location of emergency showers and eyewash stations should be discussed and
identified; and
• Ventilation equipment should be in-place and functioning properly.

The permit space to be entered

Consideration of the various potential materials within the space itself and/or
surrounding area should be discussed. This review should consider topics such as:
Any conditions making it unsafe to remove a permit-required confined space entrance
cover should be eliminated before the cover is removed. When entrance covers are
removed, the openings should be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or
other temporary barrier that will prevent accidental fall through the opening and will
protect each employee in the space from foreign objects entering the space;
All machinery and all valves should be locked-out and tagged by qualified personnel;
All pipelines and leads carrying various chemicals into the space should be blinded-off
or should be double blocked and bled;
The space should be drained of material and cleaned by flushing with water or steam;
and ventilation equipment should be in-place and operational. Whenever possible, the
use of tempered cool air should be considered when conditions exist for heat stress.

Page 7 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

9.3.6 Testing Of The Atmosphere

Instructor show video or Power Point Presentation on atmospheric testing
equipment

Before an employee enters the permit space, the internal atmosphere should be tested
with a calibrated direct-reading instrument(s). This instrument(s) should be of
sufficient sensitivity and specificity to identify and evaluate atmospheres that may exist
or arise.

Measurements of each atmospheric contaminant parameter should be taken for at least

the minimum response time of the test instrument, as specified by the manufacturer.

The order in which testing should be completed is as follows:

• Oxygen content;
• Flammable gases and vapours; and
• Potential toxic air contaminants.

There should be no hazardous atmosphere within the space whenever any employee is
inside the space. However, special considerations or emergencies may arise in the
course of work where entry into a permit-required confined space hazardous
atmosphere may be necessary or unavoidable. If this situation occurs, all possible
precautions (engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and other
safeguards), should be utilised to minimise the entrant's exposure to the hazardous
conditions. Individuals who participate in these situations should be thoroughly trained
in handling all aspects of these special conditions or emergencies.

Hazardous atmosphere is an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of

death, incapacitating, impairment of ability to self-rescue (escape unaided from a
permit space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the following:
• Atmospheric Oxygen concentration below 19.5% or above 23.5%;
• Note: 19.5% Oxygen does not guarantee safe entry.
What replaced the rest of the Oxygen ?
• Flammable vapour, gas or mist in excess of 10% of its lower flammable limit
(LFL);

Page 8 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

• Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL; Note:
This concentration may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures
the vision at a distance of 5 feet or less;
• Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health;
and
• For air contaminants for which there is no determined dose or permissible exposure
limit, other sources of information, such as material safety data sheets that comply
with the Hazard Communication standard, published information, and internal
documents can provide guidance in establishing acceptable atmospheric
concentrations.

Certain contaminants (carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, methane gas,

etc.) have non-existent to very poor "sense of smell" warning properties. These types
of contaminants should be taken into consideration (if applicable) when testing the
confined space.

When monitoring for entries involving descent into atmospheres that may be stratified,
the atmosphere envelope should be tested at a distance of 4 feet in the direction of
travel and to each side. If a sampling probe is used, the entrant's rate of descent should
be slowed to accommodate the sampling speed and detector response.

If ventilation equipment is utilised prior to atmospheric testing, this equipment should

be turned off during the actual testing. This situation provides a worst case scenario for
testing purposes. Upon completion of the atmospheric testing, the ventilation system
should be reactivated.

9.3.7 Use Of Safeguards To Assure Risks Are Eliminated

The use of safeguards assures that risks eliminated as a result or pre-entry preparation
and atmospheric testing do not reappear. Several safeguards should be taken into
consideration and are as follows:
• Utilization of personal protective equipment appropriate to the potential hazards in
the permit-required confined space, (sharp edges, chemical irritants, noise, heat,
etc.);
• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) should always be on stand-by at permit
space entrances is in-house rescue teams are utilised and have to enter the permit
space;
• Harnesses and lifelines should be utilised or within reach;
• Continuous ventilation of the permit space should be performed if needed to
maintain adequate Oxygen levels or reduce potential risk from toxic chemicals or
flammables. This would ensure adequate Oxygen and reduce risk of heat stress.
Two or more vent/openings should be considered and may help avoid dead spaces
or air channeling; and

Page 9 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

• Continuous monitoring of the atmosphere conditions within the permit space should
be conducted during occupancy. Monitoring equipment should be hung on the
employee's belt or on other equipment. The monitoring device should contain an
audible alarm with a digital readout.

9.3.8 Duties Of The Safety Observer / Attendant

At least one (1) safety observer/attendant should always be present outside the permit
space for the entire time of the entry or until relieved by another qualified attendant;
Responsibilities of the attendant should be clearly identified and understood by the
entry team. These responsibilities should include the following:

• Understand the potential hazards that may be encountered during entry of a permit
space. This would include the signs, symptoms, and consequences of the exposure,
along with the behavioral effects of all potential hazards;
• Continuously maintain an accurate account of authorised entrants in the permit
space;
• Communicates with authorized entrants as necessary to monitor entrant's status and
alert entrants of the need to evacuate;
• Monitors activities inside and outside the permit space to determine if it is safe for
entrants to remain in the space, and orders the authorised entrants to evacuate the
permit space immediately under any of the following conditions:
• If the attendant detects a prohibited condition;
• If the attendant detects a behavioral effect of an entrant due to a potential chemical
agent exposure;
• If the attendant detects a situation outside the space that could endanger the entrant;
and
• If the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all functions and duties.
• Summons rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines
that entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards;
• Ensures that unauthorized persons stay away from the permit space, advises the
unauthorised persons that they must exit immediately if they have entered the
permit space, and informs the authorised entrants and entry supervisor if
unauthorised persons have entered the permit spaces;
• Performs non-entry rescues; and
• Performs no duties that may interfere with the attendant's primary duty
• To monitor and protect the authorised entrants.

Page 10 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

9.3.9 Duties of the Entry Supervisor

To understand the potential hazards that may be encountered during entry of the permit
space. This would include the signs, symptoms, and consequences of the exposure
along with the behavioral effects of all potential hazards;

Verifies, by checking, that all tests have been conducted and all procedures and
equipment are in-place before endorsing a permit;

Terminates entry if necessary and cancels permits;

Verifies that rescue services are available and the means for summoning them are
operable;

Removes unauthorised individuals who enter the permit space; and

Determines that acceptable conditions continue, as specified in the permit, when shifts
and entry supervisors change.

9.3.10 Duties of Authorised Entrants

To understand the potential hazards that may be encountered during entry of the permit
space. This would include the signs, symptoms, and consequences of the exposure
along with the behavioral effects of all potential hazards;

Properly use equipment as required;

Communicate with the attendant as necessary;

Alert the attendant to warning signs or the existence of a hazardous condition; and

Exit as quickly as possible whenever ordered or alerted (by alarm, warning sign, or
prohibited condition) to do so.

9.3.11 Written Permit System

A permit-required confined space entry permit system should be established by each

location, which has identified confined spaces.

The written permit system should implement the means, procedures, and practices,
necessary for safe entry into permit-required confined space operations.

The written permit system should verify that conditions within the permit-required
confined space are acceptable for entry throughout the duration of the authorised entry.

Page 11 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

This verification should be in the form of an Entry Permit, which should include the
following information:

• The permit space to be entered;

• The purpose of the entry;
• The date and authorised duration of the entry permit;
• The authorized entrants within the space;
• The attendant;
• The hazards of the permit space to be entered;
• The measures used to isolate the permit space and to eliminate or control permit
space hazards before entry;
• The acceptable entry conditions;
• The results of initial and periodic tests performed;
• The rescue and emergency services that can be summoned, and the means for
summoning those services;
• The communication process used by authorised entrants and attendants to maintain
contact during the entry;
• Equipment, such as personal protective equipment, testing equipment,
communications equipment, alarm systems, and rescue equipment;
• Any other information which is necessary; and
• Any additional permits, such as hot work, that have been issued to authorise work
in the permit space.

The completed permit should be posted at the entry site.

The duration of the permit should not exceed the time required to complete the assigned
task.

The entry supervisor should terminate entry and cancel the entry permit when:

• Entry covered by the permit has been completed; and

• A condition that is not allowed under the permit plan arises on or near the permit
space.

Plant management should retain each canceled entry permit for one (1) year to facilitate
the review of the permit-required confined space entry program. Cancelled permits
should be reviewed annually.

Page 12 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

9.3.12 Emergency Response

In-house

Each member of the rescue service should be provided with, and trained to use
properly, the personal protective equipment and rescue equipment necessary for
making rescues from permit-required confined spaces.

Each member of the rescue service should be trained to perform their assigned duties
and should also receive the training required for authorised confined space entrants.

Each member of the rescue service should practice making permit space rescues at least
once every twelve (12) months.

Each member of the rescue service should be trained in first aid and CPR. At least one
(1) member of the rescue service should be certified in first aid, CPR and should be
available during required confined space entry operations.

To facilitate nonentry rescue, retrieval systems or other methods should be used

whenever an authorised entrant enters a permit space, unless the retrieval equipment
would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the
entrant.

If an injured entrant is exposed to a substance for which a material safety data sheet
(MSDS) or other similar written information is required to be kept at the worksite, that
MSDS or other information should be made available to the medical facility treating
the exposed entrant.

Outside Personnel Emergency Response

If outside rescue services are utilised for permit-required confined space entry rescue
operations, plant management should inform these outside services of all the potential
hazards that may exist with the confined space.

Plant management should provide the outside rescue service with access to all permit
spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that the rescue service can develop
appropriate rescue plans and practice rescue operations.

9.3.13 Employee Training

Initial and annual refresher training should be provided to employees who have
responsibilities dealing with the confined space entry program. This training would
provide employees with the necessary understanding, skills, and knowledge to perform
the job safely.

Refresher training is also conducted whenever an employee's duties change, when

hazards in the confined space change, or whenever an evaluation of the confined space
entry program identifies inadequacies in the employee's knowledge.

Initial and refresher training should be documented.

Page 13 of 14 Total Safety

ELEMENT 9 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INSTRUCTOR & TECHNICIAN COURSE HSI009

9.3.14 Program administration, documentation and evaluation

Each facility having a confined space entry program should develop a written confined
space entry program document and ensure that a copy of the current program document
is kept readily available in the pertinent facility. This document should be reviewed
annually and updated as needed.

Employee training on any aspect of the confined space entry program should be
documented and kept on file for a period of five (5) years.

9.3.15 Outside Contractors

If a facility having a confined space entry program should develop a written the
premises, and has elected not to enter these spaces with plant personnel but with
outside contractors, the following elements of a Confined Space Entry Program should
be completed:
• Identification of the permit-required confined space within a written confined space
entry program;
• Posting of the permit-required confined space (i.e. signs, or labels);
• Effective measures should be taken to prevent inadvertent entry into any permit-
required confined space;
• An awareness training program should be established for all affected employees;
• The outside contractor should be informed that entrance into the space requires a
permit-required confined space entry program;
• The outside contractor should be apprised of all of the potential hazards involving
the space;
• The outside contractor should be apprised of any precautions or procedures which
have been implemented by the facility for the protection of employees in or near the
permit space; and
• The outside contractor should be debriefed at the conclusion of the entry operations
regarding the permit space program and hazards confronted or created during the
entry operations.

Page 14 of 14 Total Safety