1. CONFINED SPACE
We are going to start this class with a small quiz. The purpose of the quiz is to allow you to determine where you are and what you know about confined spaces. Also, it initiates or starts the familiarity with specific terms that have specific meanings.

2. Confined Space Pre-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.
1. FALSE. While this is a good definition of a confining space. It is not the
OSHA definition of a “Confined Space”. We will examine the official definition during this class.
2. FALSE. The monitor or attendant of a Permit Required Confined Space must be diligent in their duty and devote their attention to the person (entrant) inside the permit required confined space

3. 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.
3. TRUE. You may be surprised at the locations where you can have unfavorable ventilation just because of the location and/or design. For example, a boiler room in one of our major hospitals in San Antonio has low oxygen just because of its location. There is no air movement within the room. Now obviously, there is oxygen getting to the boiler but this is from an source that is sealed to the room. A staggered or maze of tunnels may block the movement of air.
4. TRUE. Some scholars say that the exact percentage should be %. Ladies and gentlemen, 21% is close enough. What is another constituent of normal air? Answer: Nitrogen.

4. 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.
5. TRUE. If the level of oxygen drops below 19.5 percent, effects on the body start to occur. We will certainly discuss these effects during this class.
6. FALSE. What you smell are the other combustion products. Carbon monoxide -- not dioxide -- is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It is the silent killer of many.

5. 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?
7. TRUE. We do not want individuals entering a confined space without the proper training and knowledge to ensure their safety.
8. TRUE. It is the policy at Fort Sam Houston to make non-entry rescues. We do not want to kill additional people by someone else jumping into a toxic atmosphere. I know of one instance in Massachusetts where six individuals were killed while trying to rescue one person. Here is how the scenario goes:
A man is cleaning a tank without the proper PPE (personal protective equipment). He goes down. His buddy on top sees this happen so his first instinct is to jump in to help. He does so. Two more guys are passing by and they see their two friends lying in the bottom of the tank. They immediately go down to help. They are overcome by the toxic vapors. Number 5 and 6 see the 3 and 4 climb in and yell for help. They run over to rescue all four -- now 6 are dead.

6. Federal Laws Congress passes an Act Codify Regulations
Sometimes called standards
Code of Federal Regulations
This is what we are going to talk about and learn about. A Federal Law and a specific standard.
Before we begin, lets review the entire method of enacting Federal Laws and establishing Regulations or Standards.
1. Congress enacts a law -- Clean Air Act, OSHA, Clean Water Act
2. Congress designates an agency or organization to administer and write
regulations (commonly called standards) -- Dept of Labor for
OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency for Clean Air Act,
Dept of Transportation for Hazardous Material Transportation

7. Code of Federal Regulations
29 CFR -- Labor
40 CFR -- Environmental
49 CFR -- Transportation
29 series is for OSHA
40 series for environmental
49 series for transportation, etc

8. 29 CFR 1910.146 and FSH MEMO 385-6 Permit Required Confined Space and
Confined Space Program
If you were paying attention, you probably noticed that this title is a little different than the title we had for the class -- the first slide. It just read Confined Space. Also, please note that the FSH MEMO is entitled “Confined Space Program”.
That is where you must start.. The very first thing that is done is to identify the confined spaces. We sent a memo to the all organizational elements asking for them to identify their respective confined spaces and to attempt to determine the ones that were permit required. We are still assisting in this endeavor.

9. 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.
There is a key issue here. ALL of these must be present for it to be a confined space.
- Has size and shape large enough for a person to enter - This is a perfect example of why ALL must be present. A room has the size and shape large enough for a person to enter but it is certainly not normally considered a confined space.
- Has limited entrances and exits- Here we are talking about something such as a manhole, a lift hatch, etc.
- Is not designed for people to work in continuously-

10. Examples of Confined Spaces
Manholes
Sumps
Crawl Spaces
Food Freezers
Attics
Vaults
I think that everyone will agree that the items listed above do in fact meet the definition of a confined space. The question now becomes: Is it a Permit Required Confined Space? The answer is derived by look at the PRCS definition. Remember, in defining a Confined Space, we had to have all three items. Now in the PRCS all we have to do is meet one of the defining factors.

11. Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS)
Atmospheric Hazard
Engulfment Hazard
Configuration Hazard
Contains other recognized Safety or Health Hazard
What does each one of these mean? We are just going to skim over this list at this time because they will be examined in detail just a little later.
Atmospheric Hazard - Is the something or lack of something that causes the atmosphere to be hazardous?
What about engulfment? Here we are talking about loose material such as sand, dust, grain, cement, or wet mud that could cover an individual.
Configuration Hazard - The most common is a grain bin. They have slopping sides with an auger in the bottom. You could slip right down into it. We use to have a huge wood dust/chip cyclone separator at the craft shop. It had to be cleaned out. Certainly, it would have been classified as a configuration hazard.
Other Recognized Safety or Health Hazard - Radiation would be one. Beams could be one. Rattlesnakes?

12. 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
Therefore, a non-PRCS doesn’t have a hazard. It just meets the definition of a confined space.
But …….
Be very careful. You can turn a non-PRCS into a PRCS very quickly by just doing something in it. For example, welding. If we weld in a non-PRCS it can become a PRCS very quickly.

13. Individuals Involved in PRCS
Entrant
Attendant (Monitor)
Entry Supervisor
Here are your players in a PRCS.
Entrant - The person who enters the PRCS.
Attendant - The person who does the monitoring.
Entry Supervisor - The person who signs the permit. Is informed about the entry. The entry supervisor can be the attendant as well.
The only dual jobs that can’t exist is the attendant. The attendant is the attendant is the attendant. Nothing else.

14. 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.
Entrant - any part of the body.
One of the other things at the Buttercrust Bakery was the individual who stuck his head into the vat -- at part of his body entered. He was overcome by gas from the rising bread dough that he fell into the vat.
Reaching inside and getting your hand caught in a gear. A chemical exposure. What about the one described above?

15. Attendant An individual stationed outside of
one or more permit spaces who
monitors the authorized entrant.
This is the person who monitors. He not only monitors the atmosphere but also the entrants. Must keep in constant contact. Can’t have another job. Is ready to call for help. Is ready to do a non-entry extraction.

16. Entry Supervisor The person responsible for
determining if acceptable entry
conditions are present,
overseeing entry,
and terminating entry.
This person is the big dog. They are responsible for the entry. One of the first questions that should be asked is: Does this entry have to be made? If so, why? What do the measurements say? Has the rescue squad been notified? Are the entrants trained? Is the attendant trained? What are the measurements? Is the necessary safety equipment available?

17. OSHA Requirements Identify all CS Identify hazards in PRCS
Establish a CS Program
Training
Emergency/Rescue
Audits/Spot Checks
Annual Review
Now that we understand a little about confined spaces, let’s look at the OSHA requirements before we get into specifics.
Identify all CSs - That was attempted by a memo to all organizations.
Identify the hazards in PRCSs - This was accomplished by following up on
what was presented to the ISO and providing follow-up.
Establish a CS Program - FSH Memo 385-6
Training - That is being undertaken right now and on the WEB
Emergency/Rescue - You were to let them know by the permit.
We still need to practice rescues.
Audits/Spot Checks - To be accomplished by the organizations and the ISO.
Annual Review - Programmatic review by the ISO/Fire and Emergency
Response

18. Common Hazards Atmospheric Lack of Oxygen Carbon Monoxide Hydrogen
Methane
Flammable/Explosive
These are the most common atmospheric hazards and will now be discussed in detail.

19. Oxygen Normal Air - 21% Enriched Air - 23.5% Deficient Air - >19.5%
The exact percentages differ depending on the text that you read; however, in general these are correct. We will talk quite a bit about the “Deficient Air” because we will run into these problems. However, what about the “Enriched Air”.
What problems can too much oxygen cause:
Yes giddiness is one but the most important is
EXPLOSION AND FIRE
You have now changed the conditions by adding more oxygen. Remember, oxygen is one of the four things needed for fire. The others are: fuel, source of ignition, and sustaining chemical reaction.

20. Oxygen Deficiency
Disorientation, impaired judgement, difficult breathing - 16%
Bad judgement, fatigue - 14%
Mental failure, fainting - 8%
Difficult breathing, DEATH - 6%
These items are self explanatory but don’t be misled. Oxygen deficiency can occur in basements, under buildings, and in open holes. Also, we don’t want to forget about rusting. Rust is the oxidation of metal. The process of oxidation uses up oxygen; therefore, entering a rusty tank can cause problems with oxygen deficiency.

21. 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 minutes
12,800 ppm - Death in 3 minutes
Talking about carbon monoxide is easy. We have all heard about it but we don’t always know the true facts.
It is odorless, colorless, tasteless and it can kill. It is the silent killer. Make no mistake. It does kill.
One of the other symptoms that you will see is “cherry red” lips. A person being exposed to CO will look as if they have lipstick on.
Another problem associated with carbon monoxide is the misidentification based on circumstantial facts. Depending on the type of engine, the largest quantity of exhaust combustion products produced may be oxides of nitrogen instead of carbon monoxide. Be careful and make sure you are measuring for the correct constituent. Also, the symptoms of early signs of NOx poisoning are the same as those for CO.
Why would we encounter CO in a confined space? Yes. Internal combustion engines.
(PPM- parts per million. Define and discuss based on audience.)

22. 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, as with CO, is toxic and is colorless. However, it does have an odor. The problem is, at around 100 ppm you lose your sense of smell. Now you can’t depend on your nose. Of course, the reason we have instrumentation is because of the nose can’t be depended on for many of the hazardous atmospheres that we may encounter in confined spaces.
CO - no. Oxygen - no. Hydrogen Sulfide - no.

23. 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
I have heard folks tell me that as soon as they smell the hydrogen sulfide they leave the area. What does the first bullet tell you? You absolutely cannot depend on your sense of smell. It will not only get you in trouble but such dependency can get you killed.
Where will we find hydrogen sulfide in confined spaces at FSH? Manholes, Pits, Sewers, etc.

24. Odorless and Colorless
Methane
Odorless and Colorless
PEL - None
No Physiological action (under study)
Lowers partial pressure (ergo less oxygen)
Explosive
Low Density.
Hold it! What do you mean that methane is odorless. I smell it at my stove.
First of all, you may be using butane and not methane. Or you may have a combination. Notwithstanding, what you smell is an additive to the natural gas to give it an odor. Usually a mercaptan is added -- skunk odor is butyl mercaptan.
When we say it lowers the partial pressure, we are saying that it displaces the oxygen.
Gentlemen, a spark in a methane filled environment will explode.
Low Density is really a misnomer but is commonly used. It is heavier than air; therefore, you will find it in low places. It will snake along the floor.
Where will methane come from? Decaying vegetation, in sewers, in pits.

25. Flammable/Explosive Atmospheres
Where a flammable /explosive gas
vapor, or dust is present in a
concentration greater than 10%
of the LEL
What is the difference between a flammable atmosphere and an explosive atmosphere? Although there is a technical difference, we will use the terms interchangeably.
Flammable liquids are liquids with a flash point of 100oF or less although chemicals with higher flash points can be both combustible and dangerous.
Explosives are substances, mixtures, or compounds capable of entering into a combustible reaction so rapidly and violently as to cause an explosion.
The lower explosive limit or lower flammable limit is minimum the concentration of vapor in air to form an ignitable mixture.
We measure 10% of LEL. This gives us some room for error.
Discuss Upper Explosive Limit.

26. Flammable/Explosive Atmospheres
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?????
SHOW THE RECOMMENDED MONITOR
The reason that I say be careful is because of that voice that speaks to you.
“ I have been doing this for years and nothing happened.”
If you don’t have sufficient oxygen, most meters won’t work; therefore you always check it first.
An extremely high concentration can poison your meter. Don’t put the probe into a bottle or up a tail pipe to see if it really responds.
Even if you check for LEL and it is less than 10%, don’t assume there isn’t CO present. Remember, CO doesn’t explode or burn.
Move the probe to the level where you will be working. Not just inside the opening. What if the work involves bending over? Yes, you lower the probe to that level. Move it around. Wait for the response. About 1 sec per foot of pumping air in.
Give the meter time to react.
Ignition Sources - Are there any? Know your confined space.

27. Monitoring Know the potential hazards Order of Monitoring Oxygen
Flammable/Explosive
Toxic
Other
I want to emphasize that we must know the confined space. What are the potential hazards.
Based on what you just learned, it should be obvious that this is the order of monitoring.
DISCUSS AND REVIEW EACH ITEM

28. Permit Supervisor Advised Personnel Selected Preparation Authorization
Must be Signed
Now let’s look at the permit. It is FSH Form 109-E. It looks complicated but your will see that it is simple and uses the information that you have just learned.
(PASS A COPY OF THE PERMIT AROUND)
The items depicted on the slide are steps that must be followed in issuing the permit
There are 3 primary sections to the permit.
Section 1 - Time, Location, Equipment, etc.
Section 2 - Personnel Information
Section 3 - Monitoring, Training, Ventilation, etc.
We will now walk through filling out a permit.

29. Other Hazards and OSHA Standards
§23 - Guarding Wall and Floor Openings
§ Fixed Ladders
§ Respiratory Protection
§ Lockout/Tagout
§ Chemicals
You should have noticed on the permit, that a lot of other Safety and Health issues were addressed.
Let’s back up a moment and put this entire program at FSH in prospective.
First we developed a comprehensive Regulation. Secondly, we went to the organizations and asked them to identify their respective confined spaces. Thirdly, we are working with the organizations to determine if their spaces are PRCS or just CS. Fourth, we are providing training. Fifth, we will assist the organizations in getting their programs in order. Sixth, we will provide oversight and review.
The entire effort at FSH is one of integration and system wide approach. Without a proper Respiratory Protection or Lockout/Tagout Program, you can’t have a proper Confined Space Program. They all fit together.

30. Preparation Lockout/Tagout Atmosphere Tested
Entrapment/Engulfment Hazard Removed
Post Trained Attendant
Notify Rescue Team
How to we prepare to enter?
Do we need to LOTO?
Test the Atmosphere
Remove Entrapment/Engulfment Hazard
Post the Trained Attendant
Notify the Rescue Team
Proceed

31. Entry Supervisor Know Confined Spaces Know Exposures
Know Monitoring Equipment
Know Signs and Symptoms
Issue Permits
Maintain Logs
Cancel/Close Permit
How many of you are entry supervisors?
This list represents your responsibilities.
You have heard this before - Know the Confined Spaces
Know the exposures - How else do you know what to monitor for?
Practice with the monitoring equipment.
Know the signs and symptoms of the potential exposures.
Issue the Permits
Maintain the Logs
Cancel/Close the Permit

32. Attendant Know Confined Spaces Know Exposures
Know Monitoring Equipment
Know Signs and Symptoms
Know Behavioral Effects
Maintain Communication
Attendant -- You have the most important job there is.
Once again, these items should look familiar to you.
I can just repeat myself - but it is worth repeating.
You have heard this before - Know the Confined Spaces
Know the exposures - How else do you know what to monitor for?
Practice with the monitoring equipment.
Know the signs and symptoms of the potential exposures.
Know behavioral effects -- a new one
Maintain Communication

33. Attendant (Con’t) Understand Vigilance Know Outside Impacts
Know When to Order Evacuation
Know How to Rescue without Entering
Know Rescue Number
Understand Vigilance -- What does vigilance mean?
Know outside impacts -- Rain, cars or trucks with their exhausts, etc
Know when to order evacuation -- Don’t be afraid to call someone out of the space. You must take that responsibility
Know how to rescue without entering.
Know the Rescue Number -- sounds dumb doesn’t it.
The film we are going to show depicts this exact lack of knowledge.

34. 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
OKAY - ENTRANT -- IT IS YOUR LIFE. Now don’t go macho on me and say: “You are right, it is my life and I will do what I want. Besides, everyone has to die some day.”
One of the most import points I want to make is about the three “knows”.
Know the Hazards
Know the signs and symptoms
Know how to use the PPE
This is so very important because the best rescue is the self-rescue. If you know the hazards, the signs and symptoms, and the PPE, you can perform the SELF-RESCUE.
See, with self-rescue there really isn’t any rescue at all. You have come out before we had to rescue.

35. Entrant (Con’t) Maintain Communication with Attendant
Exit ASAP if Told
Alert Attendant if Experiencing Symptoms
These bullets are self explanatory; however, I want to expand on the middle one.
EXIT ASAP IF TOLD
Just do it! Don’t procrastinate. Don’t just finish the job. Don’t say: “Just a minute.” Get out when told!

36. Rescue Practice Non-Entry is BEST Alert Team Prior to Entry
Why Must Rescue Be Attempted
Correct Equipment
Practice. Practice. Practice.
You find out so much information when you practice. I have seen life lines too short. Not knowing the Emergency Number. Not being able to fit out of the opening when being raised by a harness. All of this was determined when practicing.
This is the time to find out problems -- during practice. Not when doing the actual rescue.
Another very important point is to notify the rescue team (Fire and Emergency) prior to entry to let them know. Remember on the permit, it was a required entry.

37. Confined Space Every Entry Into A Confined Space
Must Be Done So With Suspect --
Changes in Configuration
Changes in Atmosphere
Changes in Activities
Don’t become complacent.
Just because you have been into a space a number of times does not mean that things are the same. Changes do occur without you knowing it.
It is your life, be careful.