Confined Space Safety By Evergreen Safety Council 29

Confined Space Safety By Evergreen Safety Council 29 CFR 1910. 146 / WAC 296 -809

Confined Space Definition ► Large enough and arranged so an employee could fully enter the space and work ► Limited/restricted means of entry/exit ► Not primarily designed for human occupancy

Permit Required Space WAC 296 -809 -500 ► Contains (or potential) a hazardous atmosphere ► Potential for engulfing ► Internal configuration that could trap ► Contains physical hazards ► Any other recognized serious hazard

Overview ► First Priority - Define the hazards of the space: § Restricted areas within the confined space § Voids § The nature of the contaminants present § The size of the space § The type of work to be performed § The number of people involved

The Basics ► Failure to recognize hazards - Consider most unfavorable conditions exist ► Assess hazards before ventilating ► Ventilation air should not create additional hazard - Air and Oxygen are NOT the same

OSHA/DOSH Perspective ► In some cases, confinement itself poses entrapment hazards. ► In other cases, confined space work keeps employees closer to hazards, such as asphyxiating atmospheres or the moving parts of machinery.

Permit Required Space (PRCS) ► Must ID PRCS – must assume PRCS unless employer determines it is not § If entry is made to determine it’s nonpermit, must follow PRCS until determined ► Inform employees and control entry into PRCS

Permit Required Space ► Implements entry permit procedures ► Complete permit before entry ► Allow entrants to observing testing, sampling, etc. ► ID entry supervisor ► Make completed permit available to entrants – post it ► Do not exceed permit duration

Permit Required Space ► Permit § § § § must contain: Space to be entered Purpose of entry Date and duration of entry Hazards of the space Acceptable entry conditions Monitoring results Measure to isolate hazards Names of entrants & attendants

Permit Required Space ► Permit cont’d § Who is entry supervisor and signature § Communications procedures § Equipment to be used § Rescue considerations § Other information § Additional permits needed such as hot work ► Keep permits for one year and use for program evaluation

Permit Required Space ► Evaluate entry: space for hazards prior to § Atmospheric hazards ► Oxygen ► Combustibles ► Toxic § Isolate/eliminate hazards (i. e. , LOTO, Blanking) § Continually monitor conditions where isolation is not feasible (i. e. , sewer) ► Ensure adequate rescue is available

Permitted Space ► Requires § § Attendant Entrant Supervisor Rescue (entry or non-entry) Requires training in duties ► Requires authorization in writing ► Requires entry permit ►

Written Program ► Available to employees ► At the site ► Control mechanisms ► Permit Procedures ► Equipment ► Hazards ► Employees’ duties ► Rescue (non-entry v. entry)

Entry ► The act by which a person intentionally passes through an opening into a permit required confined space. ► Any part of the body passing through the opening is considered entry.

Entrant’s Duties ► Know hazards of entry ► Use PPE properly ► Communicate with attendant ► Alert attendant when § recognizes dangerous situation § detects prohibited condition ► Exit § § § space when Attendant orders/alarm recognizes dangerous situation detects prohibited condition

Attendant’s Duties ► Know hazards ► Know behavioral effects ► Maintains count of entrants ► Remains out of space ► Communicates with entrant ► Summons rescue/emergency services

Attendant’s Duties ► Monitors activities inside and out for safety of entrant: § § § prohibited conditions hazard exposure to entrant situations outside space ► Keeps unauthorized persons away ► Non-entry rescue

Supervisor’s Duties ► Knows hazards ► Verifies permit, tests, procedures in place ► Terminates permit ► Verifies rescue services available ► Ensure entry remains consistent with permit

Hazards ► Dictated by: § Materials stored/used § Activity carried out § External environment ► Most hazardous combines limited access and mechanical devices § Boilers usually contain powerdriven equipment which, unless properly isolated, may be inadvertently activated after entry.

Hazardous Atmospheres ► Flammable § 10% of LEL ► Toxic § PEL/IDLH ► Asphyxiating § Less than 19. 5%

Why O 2 Levels May Drop ► Displaced by another gas (e. g. , decaying organic matter produces CO 2) ► Chemical/biological reactions (e. g. , rusting or fermentation) ► Ingress of a substance from another location ► The work operation going on in the space

Oxygen Deprivation ► Less than 17%, night vision effected / Accelerated heartbeat ► 14% - 16% - Breathing increases ► 6% - 10% - Nausea, vomiting and unconsciousness ► Below 6% death in minutes.

Flammable Atmospheres ► Enriched oxygen atmospheres, ► Vaporization of flammable liquids, ► Byproducts ► Chemical of work, reactions, ► Concentrations dusts of combustible

Flammable/Explosive Gas, Vapor, Mist Hazardous if it exceeds 10% of its lower flammable limit (LFL) Lower Flammable Limit (LFL), or lower explosive limit (LEL), is the lowest concentration of air-fuel mixture at which a gas or vapor can ignite. Upper Flammable Limit (UFL), or upper explosive limit (UEL), is the highest concentration of air-fuel mixture that can be ignited.

Flammable Atmosphere Example of flammable gas levels - Methane Air 0% Air 100% Too Rich Too Lean Methane 0% Boom! 5. 3% LFL Methane 100% 15. 0% UFL An open flame or a spark will cause an explosion when methane amount is between 5. 3% and 15%, the upper flammable limit (UFL).

Atmosphere Testing Shall Be Performed: ► Prior to every entry when the space is vacant; ► After a 10 minute ventilation period (if ventilation is necessary); ► At least hourly for permit-required confined spaces. ► More frequently, if conditions or suspicions warrant.

Always test the air at various levels to be sure that the entire space is safe. Good Air Good air near the opening does NOT mean there is good air at the bottom! Poor Air Deadly Air

Physical Hazards ► Engulfment ► Configuration ► Thermal effects (heat and cold), ► Noise ► Vibration ► Radiation ► Fatigue space while working in a confined

Hazards What are the Hazards of Engulfing Material? Engulfing materials include liquids or loose solids such as grain, sand or other granular material. People cannot escape when caught in moving loose solids and usually suffocate. Workers often get engulfed when in -feed or out-feed lines are inadvertently opened or activated.

Hazards What is Entrapment? The space is configured in a way that can trap a worker, for example, sides sloping towards the center Gravel hopper Sawdust Cyclone

Hazards Other Recognized Hazards Electrical lines, steam lines or hydraulic lines Mechanical hazards (moving parts) Hazards caused by the work (welding, painting etc. )

Controlling the Space The hazards of a confined space can be be controlled in the following ways: • Prevent employee entry. • Remove or reduce hazards in the space first, before a person enters. • If hazard cannot be controlled, you must use a written permit system to enter safely.

Controlling the Space Warning employees and controlling access Post warning signs at the entrance of confined spaces. Limit employee access to confined spaces by using entry barriers or locks. Make sure that unauthorized workers do not enter the confined space.

Hazard Control How To Control Hazardous Atmospheres Drain or pump out liquid contents, if any. Blank off all in-feeding lines. Air test and ventilate. Continue ventilating constantly. If possible, remove any sludge from outside the confined space. Exit space if conditions deteriorate.

Hazard Control Hazardous Atmospheres Dangers It is difficult to eliminate hazardous atmospheres in most sewers lines. Tank sludge or sewer sludge can release toxic gases during cleanup. Toxic or flammable gases can exist in pockets or layers.

Hazard Elimination How To Eliminate Physical Hazards Lock-out moving parts Blank or block steam pipes and product in-feeding pipes. De-energize electrical parts or wiring

If Hazards Can’t Be Eliminated If hazards cannot be completely eliminated, there are only two options: a complete written permit system, or “alternate procedures. ” Both require training of employees.

Alternate Entry Procedures WAC 296 -809 -600 ► Hazardous (or potentially) atmosphere is the only hazard ► When using alternate procedures must have data that supports: § The only hazard is atmospheric § Continuous forced air ventilation alone is all that is needed to maintain safe entry ► Entry to obtain data must follow PRCS procedures ► All documentation available to affected employees

Alternate Entry Procedures ► Eliminate any unsafe condition before removing cover § When covers removed – guard opening § Certify pre-entry measures have been taken and make certification available ► Before entry test internal atmosphere (O 2, Flam, Toxic) ► Ensure atmosphere is not hazardous when entrants are present

Alternate Entry Procedures ► Use continuous force air ventilation § Wait until ventilation has removed any hazard § Direct forced air towards immediate area where work is done § Provide air from a “clean” source (don’t set up near exhaust) ► Test atmosphere to ensure hazard free

Ventilation Considerations ► The ventilation air should not create an additional hazard: § Recirculation of contaminants § Improper arrangement of the inlet duct § The substitution of anything other than fresh (normal) air (approximately 20. 9% oxygen, 78. 1% nitrogen, and 1% argon with small amounts of various other gases).

Non-Permit Space WAC 296 -809 -700 ►A confined space that does NOT contain actual hazards or potential hazards capable of causing death or serious harm – including POTENTIAL hazardous atmosphere (Ventilation does NOT eliminate the hazard) ► Not the “norm” ► Hard to prove or justify

Non-Permit Space ► Must document how it was determined: Date Location of space Signature of person making determination § Make documentation available § § § ► Documentation must be done every time a PRCS is reclassified ► If hazards develop must reevaluate

Non-Permit Space ► Do not need § Permit program § Use of ►Attendant ►Entrant ►Supervisor ►Rescue

Work Practices ► Identify and mark spaces ► Use permit system ► Train all employees ► Two worker rule ► Use harnesses and lifelines

Work Practices ► Employee or Rep § Participate in Program Development § Observe all Air Monitoring § Initiate re-evaluation of Confined Space Hazards

Work Practices ► Monitor atmosphere ► Use proper respirators or SCBA ► Use proper protective clothing ► Secure ladders ► Fall protection ► Scaffolds

Work Practices ► Personal protective equipment ► Use tool lanyards ► Lockout/ Tagout / Blind ► Purge and ventilate ► Shore up sides and roof ► Use tools that are § Non-sparking § Grounded § Insulated

Non-Entry Rescue ► Use non-entry rescue whenever possible ► Ensure entrant uses full body harness with retrieval line attached to either: § § § Center of back near shoulders Above employee’s head At another point which presents a profile small enough for successful removal of employee

Non-Entry Rescue ► Retrieval line attached to mechanical device or fixed point outside space ► Ensure a mechanical device is available to retrieve entrants from vertical spaces more than 5 feet deep ► Practice once a year

Done ► Thank You ► Questions? ? ?