Confined Space Safety

Presented by: Allan DeLange, CL Coatings, LLC

Introduction
This webinar is being presented to
issue guidance addressing the
hazards and controls for surface
preparation and coating application
in confined spaces.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this
webinar, you will be
able to:
Identify confined space industry
standards
Define a confined space
Recognize hazards in a Permit
Required Confined Space (PRCS)
Define methods for control and
elimination of hazards in a Permit
Required Confined Space (PRCS)
Become familiar with the
elements of a Permit-Required

Introduction
Note: This webinar is not a
substitute for:
- A confined space safety plan
- A confined space training course
- A OSHA regulation on confined
space

Confined Space Industry

Standards
During the webinar reference will be
made to the following industry
standards:
OSHAs General Industry Standard 29 CFR
1910.146 Permit Required Confined
Spaces
OSHAs Safety and Health Regulations for
Construction 29 CFR 1926
OSHA is working on a proposed rule on

What is a Confined
Space?
An area being large
enough and so configured
that an employee can
enter and perform
assigned work; having
limited or restricted
means for entry; and not
designed for continuous
occupancy

Examples of PRCSs
Some examples of PRCSs commonly
encountered in industrial and marine
coating operation include:
Interiors of storage tanks
Silos
Ship holds
Boilers
Penstocks

Examples of PRCSs

Examples of PRCSs

Examples of PRCSs

Hazards of Confined
Spaces

Confined Spaces can be Deadly

Some Confined Spaces are more
Hazardous than others
Confined Space Conditions can change
rapidly
Hazards can often be eliminated or
controlled before entry
Surface Preparation and Coating
Application Hazards usually require a
written Permit System for Entry

Main Hazards

Oxygen Deficiency
Hazardous Atmospheres
Abrasive Blasting & Waterjetting
Toxic Materials (Coatings)
Moving Parts
Electricity
Physical Hazards (Heights)

Hazardous Atmospheres
A hazardous atmosphere in a
confined space has one or more of the
following:
Flammable gas, mist or vapor
Flammable Dust
Oxygen content below 19.5% or above
23.5%
Air contaminant concentrations that
would cause death, incapacitation or
permanent health problems

Fire and Explosion

Hazard

Flammable gases, vapors or dusts will

ignite from a spark or flame if above
the Lower flammable limit (LFL)
Gas or vapor levels higher than 10%
of the LFL are considered hazardous
and the confined space cannot be
entered until levels are reduced

Engulfment / Entrapment
Engulfing materials include liquids or
loose solids such as grain, sand or
other granular material.
Entrapment can occur in a space
configured in a way that can trap a
worker, for example, sides sloping
towards the center.

Toxic Materials
The most common toxic chemicals in
confined space fatalities are hydrogen
sulfide and carbon monoxide.
Other toxic chemicals can include
welding fumes, vapors from chemical
residues or chemical products used in
the confined space.
Chemicals can quickly reach toxic levels
in the air of a confined space, especially
gases, solvent vapors or sprayed

Other Recognized
Hazards

Electrical lines, steam lines, or

hydraulic lines
Mechanical hazards (moving parts)
Hazards caused by work operations
Welding
Abrasive Blasting
Waterjetting
Spray Painting

Entry Permits are

Required:

When there is an actual or potential

Hazardous Atmosphere, or
When the space contains loose
material that can engulf a person, or
When the space is configured in a way
that can trap a person, or
When there is any other recognized
serious safety and health hazard

Permit Required Confined

Space
Whenever a hazard is present in the
confined space, it should be
considered a permit-required confined
space (PRCS)

Confined Space Entry

Program
Establish and implement a written
confined space entry program that is
reviewed annually.
Ensure all field personnel are trained in
every aspect of each project-specific
confined space safety plan, including the
rescue plan and each persons role in the
event that the plan has to be
implemented.

Permit Required
Confined Space Program

Identify the space

Identify the hazards
Eliminate or control the hazards
Isolate & control the space
Pre-entry verification

Permit Required
Confined Space
Program

Permit preparation, authorization &

cancellation
Safe work practices
Emergency Response / Rescue
Services
Training

Confined Space Permit

Elements

Identity of Space
Purpose of Entry
Date and Duration
Supervisor, Entrants & Attendants
Hazards of the space
Means to isolate & control space
Acceptable entry conditions

Confined Space Permit

Elements cont.
Rescue & emergency services
Communication methods
Safety, communication, rescue & PPE
equipment required
Atmospheric test results
Authorization, release for entry,
suspension and cancellation

Planning for Confined

Space Entry
Before beginning
work, a job safety
analysis (JSA)
should be
performed taking
into consideration
the equipment
and materials to
be used

Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

Proper completion of a JSA, listing
planned activities, identifying all
potential hazards of a confined
space entry and establishing the
means to control the hazards and
eliminate accidents is an excellent
way to prepare for confined space
entry and completion of an entry
permit.

Hazard Control
Hazardous Atmospheres
Drain or pump out liquid contents
Blank off, double block & bleed all infeeding lines
Air test and ventilate
Continue ventilation during entry
Exit space if conditions deteriorate
Use non-sparking tools where feasible

Hazard Control
Lock Out / Tag Out
Identify all potential energy sources
Comply with client operating procedures
Lock out / tag out energy isolating
devices
Walk down all isolation points prior to
each shift
Verify Lock Out of operating equipment
(witness bump test)

Entry Control
Post Warning Signs
Limit access by using entry barriers or
locks
Prevent entry by unauthorized
workers
Holes and openings must be closed or
guarded when not attended

Pre-Entry
Complete pre-entry briefing for all
planned entrants and attendants
Complete pre-entry testing for air
quality
Verify isolation of the confined space
Confirm required pre-entry
requirements and availability of all
permit required materials and
equipment

Ventilation

Engineered Supply & Exhaust

Cross ventilation circulation
Breathing zone issues
Source of ventilation
Point of exhaust

Monitoring Confined
Spaces

Confined spaces should always be

monitored for hazardous
atmospheres both prior to entry
and continuously in areas where
work is being performed

Air Monitoring
Required prior to and during
confined space entry
Monitor for O2, LEL, CO, H2S, SO2
Monitors must have current
calibrations
Results must be documented

Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)

All required PPE per entry permit

Respiratory protection
Eye protection, hearing protection
Protective clothing, gloves & footwear
Fire retardant clothing - Chemical suits
Fall protection
Harness (& lifeline) to facilitate rescue

Lifelines
Examine the workspace for snags
and equipment and tool placement
that could make retrieval difficult
If obstructions render lifelines
unusable, require entrants to wear
the harnesses regardless to facilitate
rescue

Communication
A means of communication must be
provided between the attendant and
entrants
2 way radio systems
Air Horns
Audible and/or visual direct contact
Signaling protocols
Lifelines
Alarm systems

Hazardous Materials
Try to substitute less hazardous
materials
Use paints and solvents with flash
points above 100F
Minimize the total amount of
hazardous materials within a
confined space at any time

Electrical Systems
GFCIs and Assured Grounding Program
Ground and bond containers when
transferring liquids
Electrically ground coating spray
systems
Electrically ground blowers and duct
work
Explosion proof electrical and lighting
systems are required when flammable

Entry Supervisor
The person (such as a foreman),
trained, competent, and responsible
for determining if acceptable entry
conditions are present at a permit
space where entry is planned, for
authorizing entry and overseeing
entry operations, and for terminating
entry.
REVIEW THE JSA!

Entry Supervisor Duties

The Entry Supervisor has TOTAL
Responsibility for the Confined Space and
must:
Pre-entry briefing on the confined space
Know the hazards in the confined space
Verify testing and confirm equipment
availability before endorsing permits
Terminate entry and cancel permits as needed
Verify that a rescue team is available
Remove unauthorized personnel
Determine that operations are consistent with
the terms of the permit and JSA

Confined Space
Attendant

An individual stationed outside one

or more permit required confined
spaces who monitors the authorized
entrants and who is trained to
perform all attendants duties
assigned per the Confined Space
Entry Program.
Mandatory for PRCS.

Duties of the Attendant

The Attendant must:
Know the hazards in the confined space
Be aware of the behavioral effects of
exposure
Maintain an accurate count of entrants
Remain outside until relieved by
another attendant
Monitor activities in confined space and
order an evacuation if necessary

Duties of the Attendant

The Attendant must:
Monitor activities in confined space and
order an evacuation if necessary
Summon rescue team when necessary
Prohibit unauthorized entry
Perform non-entry rescue if necessary
Perform no other duties

Authorized Entrant
An employee who is authorized and
trained by the Company or an
approved third party, to enter a
permit space.

Duties of the Entrant

The entrant is authorized by the entry
permit to enter the confined space.
The entrant must:
Know the hazards faced during entry
Properly use the required equipment
Communicate with the attendant
Alert attendant of possible exposure or
changes in conditions
Exit the space quickly when conditions
warrant

Confined Space Rescue

A means must be provided for both
safe normal entry or exit , and
emergency extrication. Tripods with
hoist, lifeline, and full body harness
are often used for emergency
extrication. Ladders may be used for
ordinary entry and exit.

Confined Space Rescue

Team

Rescue and emergency services must be

available for Permit Required Confined
Spaces
The personnel designated to rescue
employees from permit spaces, may be
employees specifically trained for confined
space rescue, client site services, local paid
or volunteer fire department, or other
trained services

Confined Space Rescue

Require that confined space rescue
team be readily available for call out
within 5 minutes at the permit
spaces

Outside Rescue Service

Visit the closest fire
station and provide the
Chief with a briefing
about the job, including
all entries.
Give the Chief a copy of
all MSDSs.
Have a site visit with the
fire Chief to review the
entry permit and work

Training
Employers are required to certify
that all employees, including
attendants, entrants and entry
supervisors, have been properly
trained for permit space
operations.
Rescue and emergency service
providers must receive special
training and practice permit
space rescues annually

Summary
Accepted industry practices and
regulatory requirements should be
implemented prior to and during all
surface preparation and coating
application operations in confined
space which may create a hazardous
atmosphere

Conclusion
This concludes our webinar for
today. Please join us for our next
webinar, April 13th at 11am EST on
Common Legal Problems in Coating
Work and How to Stay Out of Court