CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

AND RESCUE REVIEW

Introduction

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY IS USUALLY A

NON-ROUTINE TASK FOR MOST
WORKERS AND IF NOT HANDLED
PROPERLY CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS
INJURY AND DEATH.
 DANGERS

• OSHA NOTES THAT:

– 2.1 MILLION WORKERS ENTER PERMIT
SPACES ANNUALLY
– MORE THAN 100 WORKERS DIE IN
CONFINED SPACES EACH YEAR
– OVER 60% OF THOSE WERE RESCUERS
PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• FOLLOWING PROCEDURES TO THE “T”

WILL ENSURE YOUR SAFETY.
• KNOW THE PROCEDURE
• NEVER COMPRIMISE YOUR SAFETY FOR
ANYONE
WHAT IS A CONFINED
SPACE?
• HAS LIMITED OR RESTRICTED MEANS OF EGRESS
• IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR AN EMPLOYEE TO ENTER
• NOT DESIGNED FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY
• HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
ATMOSPHERE
• HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR ENGULFMENT
• CONTAINS SERIOUS SAFETY OR HEALTH HAZARDS
PRE-ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• IDENTIFY- PERMIT OR NON PERMIT

• SAFE WORK PERMIT
• ATMOSPHERIC TESTING
• FLUSHING, PURGING, INERTING
• ISOLATION OF ENERGY SOURCES
• PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
• RESCUE EQUIPMENT
REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED

• TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED SAFETY

ATTENTDENT
• FIRST AID REQUIREMENTS
• TRAINING OF ALL PERSONS INVOLVED
• HARNESSES AND LIFELINES
REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED

• RATIO OF RESCUERS TO ENTRANTS

• CONTINUOUS OR PERIODIC
MONITORING OF ATMOSPHERE
• CONTINUOUS VENTILATION
• ENTERING IDLH ATMOSPHERES
 SUMMARY
THE SIX CONSIDERATIONS
• IDENTIFY
• ISOLATE
• TEST ATMOSPHERE
• VENTILATE
• EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL
• RESCUE