CONFINED

SPACE
ENTRY
29 CFR 1910.146
Subpart J
2
What is a Confined Space?
Is large enough and so configured that an
employee can enter bodily and perform work;
Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit;
Is not designed for continuous human
occupancy.
A space that:
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Examples of Confined
Spaces:
Tanks
Manholes
Boilers
Furnaces
Sewers
Silos
Hoppers
Vaults
Pipes
Trenches
Tunnels
Ducts
Bins
Pits
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Enclosed Water
Tanks
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Pits
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Hoppers
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Fuel Tanks
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Process
Tanks
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Tanker trucks are
also confined
spaces
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Potential Hazards in Confined
Spaces
Oxygen
Deficiency
<19.5% or
>23.5% oxygen
concentration
Flammables
Methane
Hydrogen
Acetylene
Propane
Gasoline fumes
Toxic Materials
Carbon Monoxide
Hydrogen Sulfide
Welding fumes
Corrosives
Electricity
Mechanical
Hazards
Mixers
Crushers
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Hazards of Confined Spaces
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
Flammable Atmospheres
Toxic Atmospheres
Mechanical and Electrical Hazards
Temperature Extremes
Engulfment Hazards
Noise, Slick/Wet Surfaces, Falling Objects,
rats and snakes.
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Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
19.5 % Minimum acceptable oxygen level.
15 - 19% Decreased ability to work strenuously.
Impair coordination. Early symptoms.
12-14% Respiration increases. Poor judgment.
10-12% Respiration increases. Lips blue.
8-10% Mental failure. Fainting. Nausea
Unconsciousness. Vomiting.
6-8% 8 minutes - fatal, 6 minutes - 50% fatal
4-5 minutes - possible recovery.
4-6% Coma in 40 seconds. Death
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Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
Oxygen level above 23.5%.
Causes flammable and combustible
materials to burn violently when
ignited.
Hair, clothing, materials, etc.
Oil soaked clothing and materials.
Never use pure oxygen to ventilate.
Never store or place compressed
tanks in a confined space.
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Flammable Atmospheres
2 Critical Factors:
Oxygen content in the air.
Presence of a flammable gas, or vapor
Presence of dust (visibility of 5 or less)
Proper air/gas mixture can lead to
explosion
Typical Ignition Sources:
Sparking or electric tool.
Welding / cutting operations.
Smoking
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Toxic Atmospheres
Product stored in a confined space:
Gases released when cleaning.
Materials absorbed into walls of confined space.
Decomposition of materials in the confined space.
Work performed in a confined space:
Welding, cutting, brazing, soldering.
Painting, scraping, sanding, degreasing.
Sealing, bonding, melting.
Areas adjacent to a confined space.
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Hydrogen Sulfide
Decomposition of materials. Human
waste.
Rotten egg odor at low concentrations.
Possibly no warning at high
concentrations.
PPM Effect Time
10 ppm Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
50 - 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
200 - 300 Significant Irritation 1 Hour
500 -700 Unconsciousness, Death 1/2 - 1 Hour
>1000 Unconsciousness, Death Minutes
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Carbon Monoxide
Odorless, Colorless Gas.
Combustion By-Product.
Quickly collapse at high concentrations.
PPM Effect Time
35 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
200 Slight headache, discomfort 3 Hours
600 Headache, discomfort 1 Hour
1000-2000 Confusion, nausea, headache 2 Hours
1000-2000 Tendency to stagger 1 1/2 Hours
1000-2000 Slight heart palpitation 30 Min.
2000-2500 Unconsciousness 30 Min.
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Engulfment Hazards
Loose, granular materials stored in
bins and hoppers - grain, sand, coal,
etc.
Crusting and bridging below a worker.
Flooding of confined space.
Water or sewage flow.
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Other Hazards
Noise
Amplified due to acoustics within the space.
Damaged hearing, affect communication.
Slick / Wet Surfaces
Slips and falls.
Increased chance of electric shock.
Falling Objects
Topside openings expose workers inside
confined space to falling objects.
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Testing The Atmosphere
Verify presence of safe work
atmosphere.
Test all areas of a confined space.
Top, Middle, Bottom
Methane is lighter than air.
Carbon Monoxide is the same as air.
Hydrogen Sulfide is heavier than air.
Oxygen Deficiency.
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Test the Atmosphere
Check for Oxygen Content:
At least 19.5% and less than 23.5%
Check for Combustibles:
Less than 10% of the LEL
Check for Toxic Gasses:
Most commonly carbon monoxide
(PEL <35 ppm)
or any other hazardous materials as
determined by the use of the space.
In this order:
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Ventilation
First option to correct problems.
Must be aware of hazards you are
trying to correct in the confined
space.
Air intake in a safe location to draw
fresh air only.
Continuous ventilation whenever
possible.
Retest the confined space before
entry.
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Ventilate the Space
Use mechanical ventilation
Fans
Air horns

Ventilate at the rate of at least twenty
(20) volumes per hour
Larger spaces require more ventilation

Make sure air supply is not
contaminated
Ventilation air supply must be from fresh air
uncontaminated with flammables, toxins, etc.
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VENTILATING THE SPACE
Use mechanical
ventilation - such as fans
or forced air blowers

Make sure air supply is
not contaminated -
ventilation air supply
must be from fresh air
uncontaminated with
flammables, toxins, etc.
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Other Control Techniques
Inerting (Note: Inerting with a gas
such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide
will result in an oxygen deficient
atmosphere)

Flushing


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Isolate the Space
from all hazards
Close Valves
Double block & bleed, or
Blank flange
Empty the Space
Depressurize, vent & drain
Lockout/Tagout Equipment
Electrical sources
Rotating/reciprocating parts
Hazardous materials
Clean residue from the space
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Isolation
Lockout/Tagout

Blinding/Blanking

Double Block and Bleed
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Conduct a Tailboard Briefing
Entire crew must attend
Attendants, entrants, entry supervisor
Review hazards of entry and work
Review PPE
Review procedure for contacting
rescue
verify rescue available
Complete permit
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Complete Entry Permit Form
Permit must be correctly and
completely filled out prior to entry.
Permit must be activated by Entry
Supervisors signature to be valid.
No entry is allowed without a valid
permit.
Permits are valid for up to 12
hours.
When work is completed, permit
and tailboard form should be
returned to safety dept.
Cancelled permits must be kept on
file for at least one year.

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Test the Atmosphere
Check for Oxygen Content:
At least 19.5% and less than 23.5%
Check for Combustibles:
Less than 10% of the LEL
Check for Toxic Gasses:
Most commonly carbon monoxide
(PEL <35 ppm)
or any other hazardous materials as
determined by the use of the space.
In this order:
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NOTICE:
Any time a limit is exceeded, no
matter what the reason, all
personnel shall immediately exit
the space, and no others shall
enter until atmospheric conditions
are returned to safe levels.
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS!
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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.
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Enter the Space and Proceed
with work:
An attendant shall be posted near the
entrance for the duration of the work.
He shall be in constant communication
with the entrants while the job is in
progress.
All entrants shall sign the sign in log when
entering the space and sign out when
exiting.
The attendant shall maintain the permit
and sign in log for the duration of the
work.
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When the Job is Done:
Remove all personnel, tools, and
debris from the space. Sign off the
log.
Close the space.
Cancel the permit.
Review the job with the host
employer (hazards, problems,
other employers, etc.)
Confined Space Personnel
Authorized Entrant
Attendant
Entry Supervisor
Rescue Service Member
Confined Space Personnel
Authorized
Entrant
Confined Space Personnel
Attendant
Confined Space Personnel
Confined Space Personnel
Rescue
Service
Member
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Entrant Responsibilities
To assure that the space has been
adequately ventilated, isolated, emptied,
or otherwise made safe for entry.
To immediately exit a space, without
question, upon word of the attendant, no
matter what the reason.
To follow all safety rules and procedures
that apply to the job.
To be familiar with the work to be
performed and the procedures that apply
to the job.
To use the appropriate PPE whenever
necessary.
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Attendant
An individual stationed outside
one or more permit spaces who
monitors the authorized
entrants and performs all
attendants duties assigned in
the employers permit space
program

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Duties of Attendants
Knowledge of the hazards of the space

Aware of possible behavioral effects of
hazard exposure in authorized entrants

Continuously maintains an accurate
count of authorized entrants
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Duties of Attendants
Remains outside the space
during operations until relieved
by another attendant

Communicates with authorized
entrants

Monitors activities inside and
outside the space

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Duties of Attendants
Summons (call) rescue and other
emergency services

Performs non-entry rescues as
specified by the employer's rescue
procedure

Performs NO duties that might interfere
with monitoring and protecting the
entrants
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Supervisor Responsibilities
To assure adequate protection is provided
to the entrants by verifying adequate
lockout/tagout and that all hazards are
securely isolated.
To support the attendants authority in
controlling access to a confined space.
To verify that all personnel have exited
prior to closing the space.
To assure that all personnel involved are
aware of the hazards associated with the
space.
To assure that rescue services are
available prior to entry.
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Rescue Operations
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Confined Space Entry
Means of emergency rescue
must be readily available
to the confined space
entry attendant for
Emergency extrication
(rescue) of entrants.