CONFINED SPACE

Confined SpacePre-Training Quiz

1. A “Confined Space” is defined by OSHA as a space which restricts the movement of an occupant.

True False

2. A monitor for a Permit Required Confined Space can do another job as long as he/she can maintain voice contact with the entrant.

True False

Pre-Training Quiz (Con’t)

3. Unfavorable natural ventilation may be found in a confined space because of the design/configuration.

True False

4. The normal concentration of oxygen in the air is 21 percent.

True False

Pre-Training Quiz (Con’t)

5. The minimum safe level of oxygen is 19.5 percent.

True False

6. Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas with a distinctive odor related to internal combustion engines.

True False

Pre-Training Quiz (Con’t)

7. An entrant must be trained prior to entering a confined space.

True False

8. Do all entrants entering a Permit Required Confined Space have to wear a rescue harness?

True False

Federal Laws

• Congress passes an Act

• Codify Regulations– Sometimes called standards

• Code of Federal Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations

• 29 CFR -- Labor

• 40 CFR -- Environmental

• 49 CFR -- Transportation

29 CFR 1910.146and

FSH MEMO 385-6

Permit Required Confined Space

and

Confined Space Program

Confined Space

• Has size and shape large enough for a person to enter,

• Has limited entrance and exits, and

• Is not designed for people to work in continuously.

Examples of Confined Spaces

• Manholes

• Sumps

• Crawl Spaces

• Food Freezers

• Attics

• Vaults

Permit Required Confined Space(PRCS)

• Atmospheric Hazard

• Engulfment Hazard

• Configuration Hazard

• Contains other recognized Safety or Health Hazard

Non-Permit Required Confined Space

• Confined Space that doesn’t have a hazard other than by definition

• Can be made a PRCS by conducting an activity inside

Individuals Involved in PRCS

• Entrant

• Attendant (Monitor)

• Entry Supervisor

Entrant

A person who passes through an

opening into a PRCS. Entry is

considered to have occurred as soon

as any part of the body breaks the

plane of the opening.

Attendant

An individual stationed outside of

one or more permit spaces who

monitors the authorized entrant.

Entry Supervisor

The person responsible for

determining if acceptable entry

conditions are present,

overseeing entry,

and terminating entry.

OSHA Requirements

• Identify all CS

• Identify hazards in PRCS

• Establish a CS Program

• Training

• Emergency/Rescue

• Audits/Spot Checks

• Annual Review

Common Hazards

Atmospheric

• Lack of Oxygen

• Carbon Monoxide

• Hydrogen

• Methane

• Flammable/Explosive

Oxygen

• Normal Air - 21%

• Enriched Air - 23.5%

• Deficient Air - >19.5%

Oxygen Deficiency

• Disorientation, impaired judgement, difficult breathing - 16%

• Bad judgement, fatigue - 14%

• Mental failure, fainting - 8%

• Difficult breathing, DEATH - 6%

Carbon Monoxide

• Toxic, Colorless, Odorless, Tasteless

50 ppm - PEL (25 ppm - TLV)

200 ppm - Frontal Headache

800 ppm - Headache, dizziness, nausea,

possible death

6400 ppm - Unconscious in 10-15 minutes

12,800 ppm - Death in 3 minutes

Hydrogen Sulfide

Toxic, Colorless, Rotten Egg Smell,

Heavier than Air

• 20 ppm - Ceiling (if no other exposure)

• 10 ppm - TLV

• 0.13 ppm - odor threshold

• 10 ppm - Eye Irritation

• 27 ppm - Strong, Unpleasant odor

Hydrogen Sulfide (Con’t)

• 100 ppm - Loss of Sense of Smell

• 500 ppm - Loss of Consciousness and

Death within 30 minutes

• 700 ppm - Rapid Unconsciousness and

Death

• 1000 ppm - Stop Breathing

Methane

Odorless and Colorless

• PEL - None

• No Physiological action (under study)

• Lowers partial pressure (ergo less oxygen)

• Explosive

• Low Density.

Flammable/ExplosiveAtmospheres

Where a flammable /explosive gas

vapor, or dust is present in a

concentration greater than 10%

of the LEL

Flammable/ExplosiveAtmospheres

• BE CAREFUL

• If insufficient oxygen, most meters won’t work

• Can “poison” meter if high concentration

• Even if <10 % of LEL, can be toxic

• Meter monitors a small area

• Proceed Slowly

• Ignition Sources?????

Monitoring

• Know the potential hazards

• Order of Monitoring– Oxygen– Flammable/Explosive– Toxic – Other

Permit

• Supervisor Advised

• Personnel Selected

• Preparation

• Authorization

• Must be Signed

Other Hazards and OSHAStandards

• §23 - Guarding Wall and Floor Openings

• §27 - Fixed Ladders

• §134 - Respiratory Protection

• §147 - Lockout/Tagout

• §1000 - Chemicals

Preparation

• Lockout/Tagout

• Atmosphere Tested

• Entrapment/Engulfment Hazard Removed

• Post Trained Attendant

• Notify Rescue Team

Entry Supervisor

• Know Confined Spaces

• Know Exposures

• Know Monitoring Equipment

• Know Signs and Symptoms

• Issue Permits

• Maintain Logs

• Cancel/Close Permit

Attendant

• Know Confined Spaces

• Know Exposures

• Know Monitoring Equipment

• Know Signs and Symptoms

• Know Behavioral Effects

• Maintain Communication

Attendant (Con’t)

• Understand Vigilance

• Know Outside Impacts

• Know When to Order Evacuation

• Know How to Rescue without Entering

• Know Rescue Number

Entrant

• Know the Hazards

• Know the Signs and Symptoms

• Know How to Use the PPE

• Inspect the PPE

• Review the Permit

• Be Trained on LO/TO as appropriate

Entrant (Con’t)

• Maintain Communication with Attendant

• Exit ASAP if Told

• Alert Attendant if Experiencing Symptoms

Rescue

• Practice

• Non-Entry is BEST

• Alert Team Prior to Entry

• Why Must Rescue Be Attempted

• Correct Equipment

• Practice

Confined Space

Every Entry Into A Confined Space

Must Be Done So With Suspect --

• Changes in Configuration

• Changes in Atmosphere

• Changes in Activities