29 CFR 1910.146

September 5, 2008Mushroom Composting Facility

Langley, British Colombia

3 – Fatalities2 – Serious Brain Injuries

Hydrogen Sulfide & low levels of Oxygen

4 employees injured/killed: Attempting RESCUE Emergency response prevented more deaths

Issues: Poor construction Language/Culture barrier NO CONFINED SPACES PROGRAM

Large enough to enter into and perform assigned work

Limited means of entry/exit

NOT designed for continuous periods of occupancy

1. Do you have to use your hands to enter or

exit the space?

2. Do you have to contort your body in any way to get into or out of

the space?

3. Is your entry into or exit from the space slowed down

or impeded by physical obstructions (such as pipes, ductwork, holes in the floor,

etc.)?

4. Would you be forced to enter or exit in a posture that might slow self-rescue (escape) or make rescue more difficult?

Floating Roof Tank

Does not mean the space must be perpetually occupied Could be occupied continuously under

normal operating conditions

Factors to consider:1.Designed to ever hold dense material

(water, sludge, sand) 2.Lacking heat, light, & ventilation3.Too short to stand-up in 4.Too disgusting for you to put your desk

in and work a whole day

Non-permit Required: DOES NOT contain hazardous conditions

capable of causing death or serious physical harm

Permit-Required: DOES contain hazardous conditions capable

of causing death or serious physical harm Must have ONE of the following:▪ Hazardous atmosphere▪ Engulfing materials▪ Inwardly converging walls▪ Other serious hazards

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

NONot a Confined SpaceNot a Confined Space

YES

Confined Space Confined Space

Hazardous Atmosphere

Engulfment Hazard

Configuration Hazard

Any other recognized serious

hazard

Permit Required Confined

Space

Permit Required Confined

Space

YES NO

OR

OR

OR

Non-Permit

Required

Confined Space

Non-Permit

Required

Confined Space

Atmospheric Physical Other hazards

o Oxygen Deficient or Oxygen Rich

o Airborne Combustible Dust

o Flammable Gas, Vapor, or Mist

o Atmospheric conditions

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health Poses an immediate or delayed

threat to life, OR… Causes irreversible adverse health

effects, OR… Interferes with ability to escape

unaided from a permit space

Short Term Exposure Limit The maximum concentration of a

chemical to which workers may be exposed continuously

Up to 15 minutes without danger to health and safety

Permissible Exposure Limit The time-weighted average

threshold limit a person working an 8 hour shift can be exposed to a chemical without suffering ill effects

Containment What is the

MAIN danger?

What does it look/smell

like?Explosive or Flammable? Industry Examples

Argon(Ar)Displaces oxygenMay accumulate at bottom

Colorless, odorless

NO Used when welding inside confined space.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Displaces oxygenMay accumulate at bottomToxic

Colorless, odorless

NO Fermentation process in wine storage and fermentation tanks.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Toxic — asphyxiant(causing suffocation)

Colorless, odorless

(NO WARNING)

YES Produced by gas or propane.

Chlorine (CI₂)

Toxic — lung and eye irritantMay accumulate at bottom

Greenish yellow color;

sharp pungent odor

NO Could leak into confined space from nearby tanks or piping containing chlorine; piping inflows.

Gasoline Vapours

Fire and explosionMay accumulate at bottom

Colorless; sweet odor

YES VERY! Use of gasoline inside a confined space; vapors from spills of gasoline nearby.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S)

Extremely flammableVery toxic — causes lung failureMay accumulate at bottom

Colorless; rotten egg odor*

YES Rotting matter has bacteria generating H2S. In pulp and paper mills, sewers, treatment plants.

Methane (CH₄)Fire and explosionMay accumulate at top

Colorless, odorless

(NO WARNING)

YES VERY! Rotting matter will generate methane. In sewers, storage tanks.

Nitrogen (N₂) Displaces oxygen Colorless,

odorless(NO WARNING)

NO Inerting a vessel to displace the oxygen to prevent corrosion.In boilers, storage tanks.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

Toxic — severe lung irritantMay accumulate at bottom

Reddish brown;pungent odor

NO Produced by internal combustion engines, tools, and equipment that run on gasoline, propane, or diesel.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)

Toxic — severe lung irritantMay accumulate at bottom

Colorless; rotten,

suffocating odor

NO Nearby tanks or piping containing sulfur dioxide that could leak; piping inflows.

Oxygen (O₂)

Low levels — asphyxiantHigh levels — causesspontaneous combustion, explosion

Colorless, odorless

Supports combustion

Bacteria, rusting, and internal combustion engines will use up oxygen; other gases can replace oxygen.In ballast tanks, boilers, double hulls, utility vaults, septic tanks, vats, manure pits, wine storage and fermentation tanks, reaction vessels, storage tanks, fuel tanks, tank cars, tank trucks, kilns. Welding inside any confined space may decrease the level of oxygen.

FallingTrippingMoving partsEngulfmentTemperature extremesTaperingWater

Configuration HazardsFire Hazards

Hot WorkElectrical hazards

Exposed or frayed wires Electric shock

Mechanical hazards Lockout /Tagout

1. Elimination – removal

2. Substitution – replacement

3. Engineering Controls – isolation

4. Administrative Controls – training/signs

5. Personal Protective Equipment – PPE

1. Elimination Pull pumps up to ground level

2. Substitution LOTO

3. Engineering Controls Forced ventilation

4. Administrative Controls Entry Permit

5. Personal Protective Equipment

Respirators

1. Assess your spaces

2. Identify and limit access through: Barricades Proper signage Doors Locks/chains

1. Complete the Permit2. Perform pre-entry atmospheric and

physical hazard monitoring Gas Monitoring

3. Complete necessary safety controls1. Ventilation2. LOTO3. PPE4. Etc.

6. Pre-entry briefing Discuss with everyone:▪ What is on the permit – hazards, tests▪ Who is on the permit – roles ▪ What does mean to everyone – responsibilities

7. Perform entry & work Keep trained attendant in contact with

worker8. Perform continuous atmospheric tests

Use the four gas meter

9. Exit the confined space 10.Debrief

Review the results of continuous air monitoring

11.Verify completion THIRTY MINUTES – if Hot Work was

completed

Space to be enteredPurpose of entry Date of entry and duration Authorized entrants:

Use a roster or tracking systemAttendantsEntry Supervisor – signature required

Hazards – list & control measuresAcceptable entry conditions Results of initial testing –

atmospheric Names/contact information for

rescue or emergency servicesCommunication procedures Necessary equipmentOther important information

Self-rescue – get out when alarm sounds

Non-entry rescue – harness is used

Entry rescue – rescue team

There are three types of rescue:

Hazard Training –▪ LOTO▪Hot Work

PPE – ▪ Respirator ▪Harness

Role – ▪ Attendant▪ Rescue Teams:▪Annual training▪General First Aid ▪CPR

Affected Employees:

Check with your county – Designated Confined Space Rescue Teams ▪ Remember: response time may vary & not all

fire companies are trained Eliminate as many hazards as

possible Prevent entry Reduce to non-permit required

• The OSHA/Mushroom Alliance meets monthly at the AMI office in Avondale

• For more information, e-mail any of the presenters

• koliver@southmill.com• jhillard@murrayins.com• gbraxton@giorgimush.com

• You can also check out the OSHA section of AMI’s Web site at

www.americanmushroom.orgClick on the OSHA link