Confined Space Entry

Objectives
This is intended an overview of the confined
space hazards and control
Students should:
 Understand the extent of the problem
 Know applicable definitions
 Recognize the hazards of confined spaces
 Be familiar with methods to control these hazards
 Know basic OSHA requirements for confined
space entry
Confined Space: Definition

A Confined Space means a space that:

Is large enough and so configured that an
employee can bodily enter and perform
assigned work ; and
Has a limited or restricted means for entry or
exit (For example: tanks, vessels, silos, pits,
vaults,hoppers);and,
Is not designed for continuous employee
occupancy.
Permit Required
Confined Space: Definition
A Permit Required Confined Space means a
confined space that has one or more of the
following characteristics:

Contains or has a potential to contain a

hazardous atmosphere,

Contains a material that has the potential for

engulfing an entrant,
Permit Required Confined
Space: Definition (cont’d)
A Permit Required Confined Space means a
confined space that has one or more of the
following characteristics:
Has an internal configuration such that an
entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by
inwardly converging walls or by a floor which
slopes downward and tapers to a smaller
cross-section.
Contains any other serious safety or health
hazard.
 Confined Space Risk
Confined spaces are deadly.
 OSHA data (annual)
 63 fatalities
 5000 serious injuries
 Up to 60% of victims are would-be rescuers
 NIOSH documents:
 Preventing Occupational Fatalities in Confined Spaces
 Preventing Entrapment and Suffocation Caused by the Unst
able Surfaces of Stored Grain and Other Materials (1987)
 Preventing Deaths of Farm Workers in Manure Pits
 Preventing Occupational Fatalities in Confined Spaces
Confined Space Risk
Utah has many recent fatalities:
 Two welders died inside a pipe from argon asphyxiation,
1997
 An employee died after being buried with salt while
cleaning a bin, 1995
 Two maintenance workers (one was a "rescuer") died from
nitrogen asphyxiation while working in an oil-refinery tank,
1995
 Two relatives (uncle and nephew) died inside an asphalt
truck tank, 2000
 A central Utah dairy worker was asphyxiated when he fell
into a manure pit, 1998
 A truck driver died when he went into a storage tank
Causes of Death (NIOSH)

Atmospheric hazards - 56% of

fatalities
Causes of Death (NIOSH)

Engulfment (34% of fatalities)

Oxygen-deficient atmospheres

Oxygen is consumed
Gases displace
oxygen
Combustible atmospheres
Flammable gas,
vapor or dust
Oxygen enriched
Combustible
concentrations
are far above
safe toxic
exposure
Toxic atmospheres
Product stored
in the space
Activity in the
confined
space
Sources
outside the
confined
space
Engulfment

Bridging
Slumping
Hang-up
Rat hole
Safety and Physical hazards

Temperature extremes
Converging walls or floors
Mechanical hazards
Electrical hazards
Noise?
Falls - slick/wet surfaces
Falling objects
Initial Atmospheric testing
Oxygen
 Oxygen meters
 Electro-chemical detectors
 Instrument displays %
Oxygen
 Minimum 19.5% O2
(OSHA limit)
Test oxygen first
Initial Atmospheric testing

Combustible gases and vapors

 Combustible gas meters,
 “Heat of combustion" meters
 Combustible gas meters need oxygen to work
 Instrument displays Percent Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
 (OSHA uses the term Lower Flammable, LFL)
 No more than 10% LFL (OSHA)
Combustible dusts
 No more than LFL (OSHA)
 LFL at approx. 5 foot visibility
Initial Atmospheric testing

Toxic gases and vapors

 Toxic gas meters
 Electrochemical detectors
 Detector tubes, etc.
No more than PEL (TLV, etc.)
Toxic agent may cause injury or impair
escape (OSHA)
Additional atmospheric testing

After ventilating the space

Upon first entry
Continual monitoring if conditions could
change
 Personal alarms (for entrants)
 Periodic re-testing
Instruments for confined
spaces

Combination
instruments commonly
used
 Multi-gas, LEL, Oxygen
Instruments must be
properly calibrated
Users must be trained
Ventilation

Inerting
 Inert gas displaces oxygen (to control flammable
hazard)
 IDLH hazard!
Natural ventilation
 Wind
 Convection
Ventilation

Mechanical Ventilation
 Compressed air
 May be suitable for small spaces
 Venturi blowers make more efficient use of compressed air
Ventilation

Air mover at
opening
Portable
ventilation
system
Ventilation

Ventilation strategies
 Supply mode
 Exhaust Mode
 Simultaneous supply and exhaust
 Displacement ventilation
 Removes hazard before entry
 Minimum 10 air changes (AC)
 Dilution ventilation reduces hazard during entry
 Ventilation
Recommended Contaminant Conditions
air changes reduction
10 10 - 100x good mixing and negligible
contaminant release
20-30 10 - 100x poor mixing or significant
contaminant release
30 - 60 10 - 100x poor mixing and significant
contaminant release
60 - 100 Negligible air movement and
(ventilation high contaminant release
alone may not
be adequate)
BAdapted from McManus, Safety and Health in Confined Spaces,1999
Isolation

Tag and lock out

circuits and lines
Disconnect drives
and linkages
Secure moving
parts
Isolation

Blank and bleed

lines
 "Blind" flanges
 "Double Block and
Bleed "
Ignition, electrical

Ignition control
 Non-sparking tools
 Classified electrical equipment ("Explosion proof")
Electrical control
 Grounding
 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
 Isolating transformers
Personal protective equipment

Atmosphere
supplying
respirators
Personal protective equipment

Air purifying
respirators
Protective
clothing
Retrieval devices

Retrieval systems
 Safety belt/harness, lanyards,
winch
 Required for top entry (OSHA)
Prepare for rescue before
entry
Standby/Rescue

Communications
Never enter confined spaces alone!
 Outside monitor at all times
 Continuous communication with entrants
Rescue
 Rescue team on standby
 Monitor summons help
 Never attempt an unplanned confined space
rescue!
Confined Space Programs

Identify
confined
space hazards
 Find and
evaluate spaces
 Labels, signs
Confined Space Programs

Confined Space Entry Permit

 Test space before entry
 Specify precautions and conditions and duration of
permit
 Sign permit and post on site
 Permit cancelled at end of job or if conditions
change
OSHA, General Industry
1910.146, Permit required confined space
 Scope and application(1910.146(a)
 Definitions(1910.146(b)
 Confined Space:
 Large enough to enter
 Limited entry or exit
 Not designed for continuous occupancy
 Permit required confined space.-a confined space with:
 Hazardous atmosphere potential
 Potential for engulfment
 Inwardly converging walls
 Any other recognized safety hazard
OSHA, General Industry
General requirements(1910.146(c)
 Evaluate workplace
 Post signs
 Keep employees from entering,
-or-
 Establish entry program
 Alternate procedures for spaces where ventilation alone is
adequate to control hazard
 Re-evaluate as necessary
 Re-classify spaces as necessary
 Employer coordinates with contractors
 Contractors coordinate with employer
OSHA, General Industry

OSHA Permit-required confined space

program, 1910.146(d)
 Prevent unauthorized entry
 Identify and evaluate before entry
 Develop means and procedures for safe entry
 Provide equipment, training
 Evaluate permit space conditions
 Employee observation
 Inform employees of result
OSHA, General Industry
OSHA Permit-required confined space
program, 1910.146(d), continued
 Provide outside attendant
 Provisions for multiple spaces (single attendant)
 Designate persons and roles
 Rescue and emergency procedures
 System for entry permits
 Procedures for contractors
 Procedures to conclude the entry
 Review to correct deficiencies
 Review and revise the program
OSHA, General Industry

Permit system, 1910.146(e)

 Procedures before entry
 Permit must be signed
 Permit available to entrants
 Duration specified
 Canceling the entry
 Retained for at least l year
OSHA, General Industry
Requirements for the entry permit,
1910.146(f)
 Space
 Purpose
 Date and Duration
 Personnel
 Supervisor
 Hazards
 Control measures
 Acceptable entry conditions
 Test results
 Rescue provisions
 Required equipment
 Other information
OSHA, General Industry

Training, 1910.146(g)
 Provide all training needed
 When to provide training
 Establish employee proficiency
 Certify training accomplished
 Duties of entrants, 1910.146(h)
 Duties of attendants, 1910.146(i)
 Duties of supervisors, 1910.146(j)
 Rescue, 1910.146(k)
OSHA, General Industry

Appendix A - Flow Chart

Appendix B - Procedures for
Atmospheric testing
Appendix C - Examples of Confined
Space Programs
Appendix D - Sample Permits
Appendix E - Sewer System Entry