1

Confined Space Safety

2

Why Are Confined Spaces Dangerous?

• Hazards are not obvious

• Lack of ventilation

• Difficult for:– Employees to exit– Rescue teams to

enter

3

Leading Causes of Death in Confined Spaces

1) Oxygen content below 19.5%

2) Oxygen content above 23.5%

3) Toxic or flammable elements in the air

4

Confined Spaces Require a Permit to Enter

• 2-Level Confined Space Program– Level 1– Level 2

5

Confined Spaces Require a Permit to Enter

• 2-Level Confined Space Program– Level 1– Level 2

6

Confined Spaces Require a Permit to Enter

• 2-Level Confined Space Program– Level 1– Level 2 (cont.)

7

Confined Spaces Require a Permit to Enter:

We do not work in Level 2 Confined Spaces – additional training, equipment and personnel is required.

8

Entry Permit Systems Save Lives

• Identify dangerous conditions

• Prevent accidental entry

• Describe conditions required for safe entry

9

Attendant Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of entrants in confined space

• If entrant becomes injured within the confined space, summon rescue workers

• Maintain communication with entrant

• Never allow unauthorized employees to enter

10

Attendants Will Order Entrants ToEvacuate When

• Conditions seem dangerous

• Entrant has a behavior change such as:– Heavy breathing– Loss of balance– Extreme coughing

• They cannot focus all of their time monitoring the entrant

11

Entrant Responsibilities

• Maintain communications with attendant

• Use personal protective equipment

• Alert attendant if you:

– Notice any change in the way you feel

– See conditions thatlook dangerous

12

Entrants Have the Right to:

• See the entry permit before entering a confined space

• Examine all test results

• Request that confined spaces be retested

• Exit if they do not feel safe

13

Entrants Must Evacuate If:

• Conditions look dangerous

• You feel a behavior change

• Communication is lost

• An evacuation alarm goes off

• The attendant orders an evacuation

14

Rescue Procedures

• Begin rescue process if entrant fails to communicate with the attendant

• Do not enter a confined space if you are not trained to help in an emergency

15

Levels Of Risk Within Confined Spaces Can Change

• Risk can increase

– New hazards can be found

• Risk can decrease

– Hazard can be completely eliminated

– Hazard can be temporarily eliminated

16

More Than One Employer On The Job

• Confined space activity coordinated by us

• One primary contact is responsible

• Contractors treated like all other employers

17

Summary

• Dangerous conditions in confined spaces is a leading cause of death in the workplace

• Entry permit systems save lives

• Attendants protect entrants

• Do not attempt to rescue if not trained