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 To Evacuate 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 that look 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