1 This Door Leads to a Room If You Never Enter the Room, IS IT STILL A ROOM?

2 “We NEVER go in there.” Evaluate a space based on on whether you enter the space or not! Evaluate a space based on definitions…not on whether you enter the space or not!

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? A Confined Space is a space that meets all three criteria: – Large enough to enter and perform work in – Has limited means of entry and exit – Is not designed for continuous human occupancy Some examples: Tank, pit, silo, tunnel, well, sewer, underground utility vault

4 Large Enough to Bodily Enter Average Person Capable of Full Body Entry …bodily enter and Perform Assigned Work There Must be a Means of Entry – This could be pre-existing opening or one the employer has mandated be created

5 Restricted Entry or Exit Porthole, portable ladder, vertical fixed ladder, hatchway, etc. Internal configuration which makes movement in space difficult KEY PHRASE: “Route/Method of Exit Creates an Impediment to Self Rescue”

6 Not Meant for Continuous Human Occupancy The space is not a workstation Employees may have assigned tasks which put them in those spaces on a routine basis as an excursion to flip a switch, check a reading, clean a filter or trap, etc. Does include longer excursions like maintenance, service, or repair

PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE (PRCS) A permit required confined space is one that contains or has the potential to contain serious safety or health hazards Examples of hazards include: engulfment, toxic atmosphere, puzzling configuration, heat or cold stress, slipping hazards, flammable atmosphere, oxygen deficiency Sewers, tanks, vessels, wells are examples of PRCS. Entry occurs when your body “breaks the plane”

CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS – TWO MAJOR FATALITY FACTORS Failure to recognize and control the hazards associated with confined space – Atmospheric hazards – Physical hazards Inadequate or incorrect emergency response – Rushing in spontaneously to rescue ‘man down’ – At least 60% of all fatalities are would be rescuers

JOURNEY FROM AN IDENTIFIED CONFINED SPACE… TO A PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE

10 Is the CONFINED SPACE permit required ? A confined space is a Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS) when one or more hazards exist in the space : 1.Actual/potential atmospheric hazards 2. Materials that could engulf entrant 3. Internal configuration that could trap or asphyxiate entrant 4. Any other serious safety or health hazard

11 Analysis for Hazards Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health-IDLH Capable of Causing Death Capable of Causing Incapacitation Conditions Cause Inability to Self Rescue

HAZARDS Oxygen deficiency - inadequate ventilation, consumption of oxygen from welding, bacterial action (decomposition), rust Oxygen displacement - simple asphyxiates like nitrogen or carbon dioxide replace O 2 Flammable atmospheres from gases, vaporized solvents, enriched O 2 Toxic gases - decomposition of matter generates hydrogen sulfide (heavier than air), carbon monoxide from welding, chlorine from bleach

OXYGEN DEFICIENCY 19.5% = minimum for safe entry 16% - impaired judgment and breathing, accelerated heartbeat 14% - faulty judgment and rapid fatigue 6-10% - nausea, vomiting, inability to perform simple tasks, unconsciousness less than 6% - rapid loss of consciousness, death in minutes

14 Analysis for Explosivity H 2 S and CH 4 (methane) are naturally occurring and are flammable Standard requires such airborne hazards to be controlled to below 10% of the LEL. (Refer to MSDS) – Remember to consult conversion sheet which comes with air monitor - some flammables can require adjustments of +/- 30%

FLAMMABILITY HAZARDS Ignition source may be as simple as static electricity or spark from a tool Ignition triangle Oxygen Gas, vapor, or dustIgnition source

16 Engulfment Powders, beads, grains, pellets, coal, dust, sludge, etc. Breakthrough bridging

17 Analysis for Engulfment ã Flowable materials in containers which are intact can be assumed to keep their integrity ã The volume of the material in the space must be sufficient to cause death or impediment to self rescue

18 Internal Configuration Sloping Floors and Walls Bottoms of Feed Hoppers or Silos Drainage areas Sluice ways Baffles High and Low Pipes Low Ceiling Especially Hazardous when combined with engulfment hazards

19 Other Serious Hazards Exposed, Live Electrical Circuits Unguarded Mechanical Hazards Critters Slippery Surface Noise Vibration Heat Poor Visibility Others

HEAT STRESS - SYMPTOMS If the body can’t cool itself through sweating, heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur Heat exhaustion symptoms: – headache, dizziness, weakness, confusion, vomiting, fainting, pale clammy skin – What to do? Move to cool area, elevate legs, remove heavy clothing, drink cool water, apply wet cloth to skin Heat stroke symptoms: – dry pale skin with no sweating

HEAT STRESS - CONTINUED Heat Stroke symptoms: – hot red skin that looks sunburned – inability to think straight, seizure, unconsciousness – what to do? Call 911, move victim to cool area, loosen heavy clothing, place icepacks at armpits & groin How to protect yourself: – work during coolest part of the day, use spot ventilation, and use buddy system – drink plenty of cool water, a cup every 15 minutes, take frequent breaks, acclimatization – avoid alcohol or caffeine, certain medications may increase risk

PROCEDURES Conduct pre - entry evaluation, including a pre job discussion Identify & eliminate all potential hazards that could enter the space - atmospheric and physical Use forced air ventilation, perform lock out tag out if needed Complete the Entry Permit. Who is the entrant, attendant, supervisor?

PROCEDURES (CONT.) Conduct initial monitoring with Gas detector and fill out results on Permit Keep gas engines a safe distance away Use full body harness for PRCS; set up retrieval unit; use two way communications

JOB DUTIES AUTHORIZED ENTRANTS Know the hazards that may be faced during entry Wear appropriate PPE Maintain communication with Attendant Recognize signs of overexposure Evacuate space ASAP when given order or unsafe condition or overexposure detected AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS AUTHORIZED BY THE EMPLOYER TO ENTER A CONFINED SPACE

25 AUTHORIZED ENTRANT cont. Must communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the attendant to monitor their status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space

26 AUTHORIZED ENTRANT cont. ENTRANT MUST ALERT ATTENDANT WHENEVER: Entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation Entrant detects a prohibited condition

27 AUTHORIZED ENTRANT cont. ENTRANT MUST EVACUATE AS QUICKLY AS PRACTICAL WHENEVER: Attendant or supervisor orders so Entrant recognizes warning signs/symptoms of hazardous exposure Entrant detects prohibited condition Evacuation alarm is activated

Job Duties For a Confined Space ATTENDANT Maintain position outside entrance AT ALL TIMES while entrants are in confined space Recognize signs and symptoms of overexposure Prevent unauthorized access Maintain communication with entrants Initiate emergency response when required

29 ATTENDANT cont. Remain outside the space unless relieved by another attendant Know possible behavioral effects of hazards in entrants Continuously maintain an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space and ensure that there is a means for identifying authorized entrants (i.e.. Rosters, ID badge)

30 ATTENDANT cont. Communicate with entrants to monitor their status Alert entrants to evacuate if attendant detects: – prohibited condition – behavioral effects of hazards in entrants – dangerous situation outside space – That s/he can no longer perform as attendant

31 ATTENDANT cont. Summon rescue/emergency services as soon as it is determined entrants may need assistance to escape

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Upon recognition of emergency, entrants leave space ASAP Emergency = any condition such as energy release or hazardous atmosphere detected Attendant contacts COC via phone to call 911 if entrant injury occurs or entrant is experiencing signs of overexposure or oxygen deficiency Use retrieval equipment to remove entrant Do NOT enter space!!!!

33 ATTENDANT cont. UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL Warn them that they must stay away If they have entered the space, advise them to leave immediately Inform authorized entrants and supervisor if unauthorized personnel have entered the space

JOB DUTIES ENTRY SUPERVISOR Conduct pre entry evaluation and discussion Ensure all personnel are aware of hazards Implement control procedures as needed, such as ventilation Coordinate initial testing of space Complete Entry Permit

35 ENTRY SUPERVISOR cont. Verify that rescue service, if required, is available and that the means for summoning them are operable Sign the permit indicating that entry may begin Ensure removal of unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations

36 ENTRY SUPERVISOR cont. AUTHORIZE & OVERSEE ENTRY! Determine that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space, and whenever responsibility for entry operations is transferred

37 ENTRY SUPERVISOR cont. TERMINATES ENTRY… When operations covered by permit are completed When a condition that is not allowed under the permit arises in or near the space