CONFINED SPACE ENTRY CFR 1910 146 Effective April

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY • CFR 1910. 146 • Effective April 15, 1993 • Definitions: Confined Space Permit-Required Confined Space Non-Permit Confined Space

CONFINED SPACE • Has limited openings for entry or exit. • Is large enough for human occupancy but not meant for human occupancy. • Lacks natural ventilation. • May contain a hazardous atmosphere. • Has the potential for engulfment. • Has a recognized, serious safety or health hazard.

PERMIT REQUIRED CS • A space that meets the definition of a confined space and has one or more of these characteristics: 1. The potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere. 2. Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant.

Permit Required CS, continued • Has an internal configuration that may cause an entrant to become entrapped. • Contains a serious safety or health hazard.

NON-PERMIT CS • Does not contain, or have the potential to contain, an atmospheric hazard or hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm. • A confined space is considered a Permit required confined space until pre-entry procedures prove otherwise. (air monitoring, for example. )

List of Confined Spaces • • Silo Manhole Tank spill containment Etc. .

Requirements of the Standard • Employers must evaluate the workplace to determine if spaces are permit required confined spaces. (consult chart) • Employer must inform employees. • Written Program. • Permit System. • Training and Education

Requirements, continued • Equipment: 1. Testing and Monitoring 2. Rescue 3. PPE 4. Communications 5. Ventilating

Requirements, continued • Contractor requirements: 1. Inform of rules and hazards. 2. Equipment. 3. Notice to employer of any hazards being brought on employer’s site.

SIX STEPS TO SAFE CONFINED SPACE ENTRY • • • Identify the Space Permit the Space Isolate the Space Ventilate the Space Test the Space Equip the Space

ID the SPACE • Is it a Confined Space? • Permit or Non-Permit?

PERMIT the SPACE • Follow Permit Guidelines (see permit) • Names and Signatures of Team • Name and Signature of Supervisor

ISOLATE the SPACE • “DE-ENERGIZE” (mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, gravity, pressure, etc. ) • “BIG FIVE” PROCEDURES 1 - Permit 2 - Hot Work 3 - LOTO 4 - Confined Space Entry 5 - Linebreak (Purge)

VENTILATE the SPACE • Mechanical Ventilation before and after Testing • During Entry

TEST the SPACE • • Monitor for Oxygen (19. 5%-23. 5%) Monitor for LEL Test for other Contaminants Test at ALL LEVELS!

EQUIP the SPACE • Permits should list all equipment and tools necessary for Entry and Rescue

SUMMARY • OSHA has a CS Standard because of the continuing fatalities in confined spaces. The biggest killer involving confined spaces is lack of knowledge. Education, a written plan, and enforcement of rules can eliminate confined space fatalities.