��Confined Space Entry

Environmental Safety & Health - Safety Center

Confined Space Entry

Why are we here?

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OSHA and this company require that all employees who

must enter into confined spaces receive training as to the

hazards, procedures and equipment required to do so

safely.

Confined Space Entry

Definitions:

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The entrant is the person who enters a confined space.

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The attendant is the person who stays with the entrant

outside the confined space, and is responsible for assisting

the entrant in exiting the confined space, and calling for

emergency assistance when required.

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The safety representative is the qualified person who

evaluates the hazards, prescribes required equipment

and precautions and issues the Confined Space Entry Permit.

Confined Space Entry

Goals and Objectives:

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At the end of this session you will:

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o be familiar with the hazards and requirements

of “safe” confined space entry.

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o pass a 10 question quiz with a score of 100%.

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Both animal and plant life

require oxygen to live. One of the

primary hazards of entering

confined spaces is oxygen

deficiency.

O₂

O₂

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Oxygen can also be present

in concentrations that are

too high.

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Oxygen in concentrations

greater than 23% is too

oxygen rich and can cause

combustible materials to

ignite very quickly.

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Oxygen deficiency can be caused by several

processes:

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Consumption: oxygen is used up by the person who is in the

confined space and turned into carbon

dioxide.

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Displacement: denser materials push the oxygen out of

the occupied space.

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Reaction: oxygen is reacted with other materials

to make other compounds.

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

The human body requires

oxygen to carry out cellular

metabolism. Oxygen is

brought in through the lungs

and transported to cells of

body organs by the red

blood cells. When blood is

rich in oxygen it turns red.

O₂

CO₂

After oxygen is delivered

to body organs and used

by organ cells, it reacts

with carbon to make

carbon dioxide. Red

blood cells carrying

carbon dioxide turn

blue. Carbon dioxide is

carried back to the lungs

by the red blood cells

and exhaled into the

surrounding atmosphere.

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

CO₂

O₂

Given a fixed amount of oxygen

as you would have in a confined

space, respiration of oxygen

causes carbon dioxide to

increase. When oxygen

decreases to less than 19.5%.

the atmosphere is said to be oxygen

deficient, putting occupants of

the confined space at risk of

losing consciousness and death.

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Processes which operate by the

principle of combustion use up

oxygen much faster than the

human respiration.

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Products of combustion vary

with the fuel that is present and

the temperature of the combustion

reaction. Welding, burning natural

gas, propane, gasoline, and diesel

engines are examples of combustion

processes.

CO₂

H₂0

NOx

CO

O2

fuel

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Manholes often remain

covered for long periods

of time. Naturally

occurring toxins, such

as hydrogen sulfide

can accumulate inside of

manholes.

H₂S

Manholes may also

accumulate highly

flammable gasses

such as methane

and ethane. Unlike

the gas we receive at

home, we cannot detect

some of these gases with

our sense of smell.

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CH₄

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Toxic and flammable

materials are sometimes

illegally put into sanitary

and storm sewers.

Leaking tanks or spills

may migrate under

ground causing seepage

into manholes.

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Material can leach

through soil from

many miles

away.

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Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Sudden releases of

fluid solids, such as

granulated salt, sugar,

or sand, liquids, and

dense gases can cause

engulfment of persons

inside underground

tanks, or pits.

When torrential forces

are suddenly released,

people may be struck

by moving objects , or

be pushed helplessly

downstream.

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Trenches, ravines and other

excavations may also

be considered confined

spaces, if there is a

potential for accumulation

of toxic gases, engulfment

and/or the depletion of

oxygen.

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Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Many confined space

entries involve a

complex set of exposures

to mechanical, electrical,

pressure and chemical

hazards.

Confined Space Entry

The entry of a confined space begins with a

Confined Space Entry Permit.

Confined Space Entry Permit

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Location and Description of Confined Space:

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Reason for Entry:

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Permit Issued to (Name of Company/Organization):

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The permit system requires

that a qualified safety

representative visit the

work location and evaluate

the conditions under which

entry will be made.

Confined Space Entry

Each process hazard to which

the entrant may be exposed,

adjacent operations or processes,

and scheduled activity

are reviewed. For each hazard

identified, countermeasures

are detailed on the Confined

Space Entry Permit.

Confined Space Entry

The safety representative

tests the space for hazardous concentrations of known harmful substances, such as hydrogen sulfide,

carbon monoxide, and flammable liquid or gas.

The concentration

of oxygen is measured

at the same time.

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Confined Space Entry - Hazards

Should the concentration

of contaminants remain

at harmful levels,

respirators may have to

be worn to assure a safe

air supply.

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Fresh Air

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O₂

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O₂

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O₂

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O₂

Confined Space Entry

Means of emergency rescue

must be readily available

to the confined space

entry attendant for

emergency

extrication of

entrants.

Confined Space Entry

A means must be provided

for both safe normal entry

or exit , and emergency

extrication. Tripods with hoist,

lifeline, and full body harness

are often used for emergency

extrication. Ladders may be

used for ordinary entry and

exit.

Confined Space Entry

Barriers to prevent passers-by

and the curious from falling

into the opening must be put

in place.

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Holes and openings must be

closed or guarded when not

attended.

Confined Space Entry

Place warning signs where

pedestrians can see them.

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Signs must state the hazard

and the required action.

CAUTION

Opening in Ground

Keep Out !

Confined Space Entry

Confined Space Entry Permit

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Requirements

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Eye protection yes no

Respiratory protection yes no

Continuous Ventilation yes no

Body Protection yes no

Hand Protection yes no

Foot Protection yes no

Weather Protection yes no

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Required countermeasures include

personal protective equipment

for hazards expected to be found

within the confined space.

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Eye and head injuries are always

a potential, therefore safety glasses

and hard hats are required wear

for entrants.

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Other conditions may require the

use of respirators, safety shoes,

protective gloves, and other

personal protective equipment.

Confined Space Entry

o

Danger

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Do not use!

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Confined Space Entry Permit

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Requirements

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Ground Fault Interruption yes no

Lockout of Hazardous

Energy Sources yes no

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Required countermeasures also

include prevention of electrical

shock hazards due to loss of

earth ground for portable tools.

GFCI’s are required for portable

electric tooling.

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There may also be a need to

lockout and tag equipment both

in the confined space and on

adjacent equipment and processes.

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Confined Space Entry

H₂S

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HCN

Entrants must leave the

confined space when the

monitor alarm is activated.

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It is the attendant’s

responsibility to see that

the entrant leaves the

space during an alarm.

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CH₄

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CO

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CO₂

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O₂

Entrants must constantly monitor

the confined space for toxic gases,

oxygen, and combustible gases.

Entrants will be issued a personal

monitor to wear

for this

purpose.

Confined Space Entry

Should conditions develop

which require extrication,

and the entrant cannot

get out of the confined

space on their own,

the attendant must

call for emergency

assistance at once!

Confined Space Entry

The attendant should

attempt to remove the

entrant from the confined

space using tripods, hoist, and

lifelines. Attendants are NOT

TO ENTER CONFINED

SPACES. Lethal hazards may

be present within the confined

space. Only properly equipped

and trained emergency rescue

personnel may enter confined

spaces to make rescues.

Confined Space Entry - Summary

Confined space entry hazards can include:

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- the presence of toxic substances

- insufficient oxygen, or too much oxygen

- engulfment

- presence of combustible gases and liquids

- process or equipment related hazards.

- conditions changing from nonhazardous

to hazardous.

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Confined Space Entry - Summary

Confined Space Entry Permit

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Location and description of confined space:

Reason for entry:

Permit issued to:

Supervisor’s Name:

Attendant’s name:

Permit issuer’s name:

% oxygen: % lower explosive limit: ppm CO: H₂S:

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Requirements

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Emergency Rescuer yes no

Continuous Gas Monitor yes no

Barrier for ground openings yes no

Warning Signs yes no

Safety Harness with

life line yes no

Tripod / Hoist / Pulley yes no

Access (ladders/other) yes no

Eye protection yes no

Respiratory protection yes no

Continuous Ventilation yes no

Body Protection yes no

Hand Protection yes no

Foot Protection yes no

Weather Protection yes no

Ground Fault Circuit

Interrupters yes no

Lockout of Hazardous

Energy yes no

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Required countermeasures are

determined by a qualified safety

professional.

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Once the required countermeasures

are in place, a permit is issued by

the safety representative and the

confined space may be safely

entered.

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Should an emergency arise during

the entry, the attendant notifies

an emergency response team and

attempts to extricate the entrant.

Confined Space Entry -Summary

Confined spaces are required to be labeled. Some spaces

may have been overlooked. Contact your safety representative

when in doubt. It is up to you to obey signs and to follow

permit procedures before entry.

Where to Get Help?

The supervisor of a confined space entry should be contacted

for any equipment necessary to complete the task at hand.

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Safety Representatives are responsible for answering questions

about the confined space entry permit, countermeasures,

sampling methods, and instrumentation.

References and Sources for�More Information

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OSHA 29CFR 1910.146 Permit - Required Confined Spaces