29 CFR 1910.

146

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

What is a Confined Space?

A space that:
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.

Examples of Confined Spaces:

Tanks Manholes Boilers Furnaces Sewers Silos Hoppers

Vaults Pipes Trenches Tunnels Ducts Bins Pits

Potential Hazards in Confined Spaces

Oxygen Deficiency
<19.5% or >23.5% oxygen concentration

Toxic Materials
Carbon Monoxide Hydrogen Sulfide Welding fumes Corrosives

Combustibles
Methane Hydrogen Acetylene Propane Gasoline fumes

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
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Confined Space Entry - Hazards

O2

Both animal and plant life require oxygen to live. One of the primary hazards of entering confined spaces is oxygen deficiency.

When oxygen is present in concentrations less than 19.5% the atmosphere is said to be oxygen deficient.

O2
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Confined Space Entry Hazards

O2 CO2

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.

Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

19.5 % 15 - 19% 12-14% 10-12% 8-10% 6-8% 4-6% Minimum acceptable oxygen level. Decreased ability to work strenuously. Impair coordination. Early symptoms. Respiration increases. Poor judgment. Respiration increases. Lips blue. Mental failure. Fainting. Nausea Unconsciousness. Vomiting. 8 minutes - fatal, 6 minutes - 50% fatal 4-5 minutes - possible recovery. Coma in 40 seconds. Death
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Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres

Oxygen level above 23%. 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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Confined Space Entry Hazards

Oxygen can also be present in concentrations that are too high. Oxygen in concentrations greater than 23% is too oxygen rich and can cause combustible materials to ignite very quickly.

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Flammable Atmospheres
2 Critical Factors: Proper air/gas mixture can lead to explosion Typical Ignition Sources:
Sparking or electric tool. Welding / cutting operations. Smoking
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Oxygen content in the air. Presence of a flammable gas, or vapor Presence of dust (visibility of 5 or less)

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.

CH4

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Toxic Atmospheres

Product stored in a confined space: Work performed in a confined space:

Areas adjacent to a confined space.
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Gases released when cleaning. Materials absorbed into walls of confined space. Decomposition of materials in the confined space.

Welding, cutting, brazing, soldering. Painting, scraping, sanding, degreasing. Sealing, bonding, melting.

Hydrogen Sulfide

Decomposition of materials. Human waste. Rotten egg odor at low concentrations. Possibly no warning at high concentrations.
PPM
10 ppm 50 - 100 200 - 300 500 -700 >1000

Effect
Permissible Exposure Level Mild Irritation - eyes, throat Significant Irritation Unconsciousness, Death Unconsciousness, Death

Time
8 Hours 1 Hour 1 Hour 1/2 - 1 Hour Minutes

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Carbon Monoxide

Odorless, Colorless Gas. Combustion By-Product. Quickly collapse at high concentrations.

PPM
50 200 600 1000-2000 1000-2000 1000-2000 2000-2500

Effect
Permissible Exposure Level Slight headache, discomfort Headache, discomfort Confusion, nausea, headache Tendency to stagger Slight heart palpitation Unconsciousness

Time
8 Hours 3 Hours 1 Hour 2 Hours 1 1/2 Hours 30 Min. 30 Min.

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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.

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Temperature Extremes

Extremely hot or cold temperatures. Steam cleaning of confined spaces. Humidity factors. Extremely cold liquids. Work processes inside the confined space

can increase temperature extremes. Personal protective equipment.

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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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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.

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Other Hazards

Noise
Slick / Wet Surfaces

Amplified due to acoustics within the space. Damaged hearing, affect communication.

Falling Objects

Slips and falls. Increased chance of electric shock. 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. Methane is lighter than air. Carbon Monoxide is the same as air. Hydrogen Sulfide is heavier than air. Oxygen Deficiency.
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Top, Middle, Bottom

Test the Atmosphere

In this order:

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.
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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 four (4) 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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Confined Space Entry Hazards

Fresh Air
If concentrations of materials are found to be at harmful levels, the confined space must be ventilated to remove them before entry. Fresh outside air is blown into the space to dilute and remove contaminants, and ?? supply oxygen. O2 ?? O2 O2

??

O2 ??

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Confined Space Entry Hazards

Fresh Air
Should the concentration of contaminants remain at harmful levels, respirators may have to be worn to assure a safe air supply.

??

O2 ?? O2 O2

??

??

O2

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Categorizing Work Space

* Space large enough to enter &; * Limited or Restricted entry or exit &; * Not designed for continuous worker occupancy.

NO
Not a confined Space

YES PermitRequired Confined Space

Confined Space
Hazardous Atmosphere

Non

YES

Or Engulfment Hazard Or Configuration Hazard Or Any other recognized serious hazard

NO

Permit Required
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Permit-Required Confined Space

A Permit-Required Confined Space is confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant; Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could become trapped or asphyxiated; or Contains any other serious safety or health hazard.

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Non-Permit Confined Space

A confined space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death of serious physical harm.
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Two Options for Entering Confined Spaces:

Permit-required confined space entry For hazardous or potentially hazardous confined space work

Non-permit confined space entry

For nonhazardous confined space work
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Permit-Required Confined Space Entry Procedure

Isolate the space Ventilate the space Conduct Tailboard Complete permit Test the atmosphere Enter the space

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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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Ventilate the Space

Use mechanical ventilation

Fans Air horns

Ventilate at the rate of at least four (4) 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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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. Cancelled permits must be kept on file for at least one year.
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Test the Atmosphere

In this order:

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.
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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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Always test the air at various levels to be sure that the entire space is safe. Good Air

Good air near the opening does NOT mean there is good air at the bottom!

Poor Air

Deadly Air

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Confined Space Entry

Means of emergency rescue must be readily available to the confined space entry attendant for emergency extrication of entrants.

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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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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.
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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.)

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Non-Permit Confined Space Entry

Isolate the space Ventilate the space Evaluate the space

Test atmosphere Assure justification conditions are met

Conduct tailboard Enter the space

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Contractor Confined Space Entry

Contractors must be informed of the hazards within the space Contractors must follow their own established confined space entry procedure and use their own permit forms Contractors must supply their own attendants One attendant is acceptable for multiple companies entrants Contractors must supply their own air monitors Contractors must review entry after completion of job
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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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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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