Confined Space Entry

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• Overview– ANSI Z117.1 Standard– Types of Confined Spaces

• Citations– No testing of atmosphere– No rescue provisions– No retrieval device for confined

spaced greater than 5 feet deep

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• Confined Spaces come in all shapes and sizes!

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• The tragic loss of life occurred when confined space rules were not enforced by the employer.

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• Wasau, Wisconsin• Lack of Oxygen in sewer• Rusty hand rails should have tipped them off!!

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM• CONFINED SPACE FATAL ACCIDENTS -

– 35% Supervisor or Higher– 64% Did not need to enter– 66% Water / Wastewater / Sewer / Construction– 78% Oxygen deficient or IDLH toxic– 95% No confined space training– 100% No (or inadequate) powered ventilation– 100% No instrument at site (to measure

hazardous atmosphere)

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• Major Points– Written plan of action for rescue is

required.– Ventilation is necessary if there is the

potential for atmosphere to move out of the acceptable range.

– ANSI governs construction, some contractors need to look at 1910.119/146 for general industry.

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY• Fatalities

– Excavations, manholes, foundations, underground vaults, grain elevators and sewer pipes are examples of deadly areas

– NIOISH report from 1993-1996– 276 Incidents– 234 deaths– 193 injuries

• Half of those killed were rescue personnel

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• Is it a confined space?• Is it a permit required

confined space?• Adds a new meaning

to Special Delivery!

CATEGORIZING WORK SPACES

• SPACE LARGE ENOUGH TO ENTER AND• LIMITED OR RESTRICTED ENTRY OR EXIT

AND• NOT DESIGNED FOR CONTINUOUS

OCCUPANCY

CATEGORIZING WORK SPACES

• Requires a Permit if:– HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE– ENGULFMENT HAZARD– CONFIGURATION HAZARD– ANY RECOGNIZED SERIOUS HAZARD

CATEGORIZING WORK SPACESSPACE LARGE ENOUGH TO ENTER AND;LIMITED OR RESTRICTED ENTRY OR EXIT;NOT DESIGNED FOR CONTINUOUS OCCUPANCY

NOT ACONFINEDSPACE

NO

YESCONFINED SPACE

HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE

CONFIGURATION HAZARD?

ENGULFMENT HAZARD

ANY OTHER RECOGNIZED SERIOUS HAZARD

OR

OR

PERMIT

REQUIRED

CONFINED

SPACE

YES

NON

PERMIT

CONFINED

SPACE

NO

Categorizing Work Spaces

• Confined space– Restricted means of entry/exit– Large enough for employee to enter & work– Not designed for continuous occupancy

• Permit required confined space– Potential for hazardous atmosphere– Potential of material engulfing worker– Configuration that may trap worker– Contains other recognized hazards

PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM

• Atmospheres– Oxygen-deficient

atmosphere– Oxygen-enriched

atmosphere– Flammable

atmosphere– Toxic gases and

vapors

• Other Hazards

–Engulfment

–Falling Objects

–Temperature Extremes

–Falls / Slick/wet surfaces

–Toxic / Corrosive chemicals

–Moving parts/ equipment

HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHEREOne slip and you’re gone!

• Too much Oxygen over 23.5%• Too little Oxygen under 19.5%• Flammable atmosphere 10%LEL• Carbon Monoxide 35ppm

OXYGEN-DEFICIENCYO2 Content

15-19%

Effects and Symptoms (at patm)

Decreased ability to work strenuously. May impair coordination and induce early symptoms in persons with coronory, pulmonary, or circulatory problems.

Respiration increases in exertion, pulse up, impaired coordination, perception, and judgment.

Respiration further increases in rate and depth, poor judgment, lips blue.

Mental failure, fainting, unconsciousness, ashen face, blueness of lips, nausea, and vomiting.

8 min., 100% fatal; 6 min., 50% fatal; 4-5 min., recovery with treatment.

Coma in 40 sec., convulsions, respiration ceases, death.

12-14%

10-12%

8-10%

6-8%

4-6%

NOTE: Exposure to atmospheres containing 12% or less oxygen will bring about unconsciousness without warning and so quickly that individuals cannot help or protect themselves.

(Source: Compressed Gas Association Bulletin SB-2)

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)• Colorless, odorless noncombustible gas• Heavier than air• By-product of:

– Carbonation– Inerting– Organic decay

• grain elevators, sewers, storage bins, wells

– Fermentation • digesters, molasses pits, beer and wine vats

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

• Colorless, odorless gas

• Slightly lighter than air

• Chemical asphyxiant

• Primary source: incomplete combustion of organic material

• Gasoline-fueled combustion engines

CONCENTRATION OF COAND SYMPTOMS

Percent ppm Effects

0.02 200 Possibly headache, mild frontal in 2-3 hrs.

0.04 400 Headache, frontal, and nausea after 1-2 hrs.; occipital after 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hrs.

0.08 800 Headache, dizziness and nausea in 3/4 hour, collapse and possibly unconsciousness in 2 hrs.

0.16 1,600 Headache, dizziness and nausea in 20 min.; collapse, unconsciousness, possibly death in 2 hr.

0.32 3,200 Headache and dizziness in 5 to 10 min., unconsciousness and danger of death in 30 min.

0.64 6,400 Headache and dizziness in 1 to2 min., unconsciousness and danger of death in 10 to 15 min.

1.28 12,800 Immediate effect; unconsciousness and danger of death in 1 to 3 min.

(Source: Hamilton & Hardy)

SYMPTOMS OF CO EXPOSURE

Percent* Symptoms

0-10 Shortness of breath on exertion

10-20 Tightness across forehead, slight headache

20-30 Throbbing headache

30-40 Severe headache, nausea, vomiting, collapse on exertion

40-50 All symptoms increased, pulse rate and breathing increased

50-70 Coma, interrupted breathing (Cheyne-Stokes), death

* Percent saturation of Hemoglobin with CO [Blood Levels]

(Adapted from Dubois and Geiling)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS• Thermal effects (heat and cold), • Moving machine parts • Noise• Vibration • Radiation • Fatigue while working in a confined space

CONFINED SPACE ENTRYBy removing the hazard, it is possible to reclassify a permit space as a non-permit required space

EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS• Evaluate workplace

• Inform employees of– existence, location, & danger

• If employees enter:

– Develop written program

– Train and educate employees

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

• Air Testing Monitor• Full Body Harness• Communication

Equipment• Protective Eyewear• Protective Helmet• Protective Boots

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY• Entry into Permit

Required Spaces takes teamwork!

• Supervisor, Entrant and Attendant depend on each other.

ENTRY DUTIESSUPERVISOR

• Know space hazards & consequences• Verify emergency plans, test

procedures, and proper equipment• Terminate/cancel permits (upon

completion or change• Remove unauthorized personnel• Ensure operation remains consistent

with entry permit and conditions

ENTRY DUTIESAUTHORIZED ENTRANT

• Know space hazards and consequences• Use appropriate PPE• Maintain communication with attendant• Exit ASAP on order or when hazard is

observed• Alert attendant when prohibited

condition exists or symptoms of exposure

ENTRY DUTIESATTENDANT

• Perform no other duties that interfere Know existing & potential hazards

• Summon rescue & emergency service• Keep unauthorized personnel out• Order evacuation as necessary • Maintain communication• Remain outside space

WRITTEN PERMITS

• Valid for a specified amount of time• Lists equipment for safe entry• Lists atmospheric testing results• Specifies rescue team provisions• Signed by the site supervisor• Identifies by name:

– The supervisor– Attendant – Entrant

PERMIT SYSTEM• Permit signed by supervisor• Entry permits include:

– Test results & tester initials or signature– Supervisor name & signature – Name of space and personnel (by duty)– Purpose & control measures in place– Name & number of rescue/emergency

service– Acceptable entry conditions– Special equipment & communication

procedures

WRITTEN PROGRAM

• Identify and evaluate space• Test conditions in space and monitor• Perform testing for atmospheric hazards• Prevention of unauthorized entry• Establish/implement procedures & practices• Identify employee duties• Provide, maintain, & require PPE• One attendant minimum• Procedures for calling rescue & emergency

service

CONFINED SPACE ENTRYGAS DETECTOR•Oxygen content•Flammability •Explosion potential•Carbon monoxide•Hydrogen sulfide

Critical issues -•Training•Procedures•Calibration

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY• Draw samples without entering the space!

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY• Normal Readings

CONFINED SPACE ENTRYBad Reading!! Evil Reading!!Oxygen level too low!!Alarm is going off!!

ROLE OF ENTRANT• Authorized to enter• Be aware of prohibited conditions• Use Personal Protective Equipment• Evacuate immediately on order of

attendant • Begin self rescue in hazards • Be alert to exposure

ROLE OF ATTENDANT• Must be stationed outside to monitor• Special training to recognize hazards• Maintain effective contact with entrant• You are the entrant’s eyes and ears• Order evacuation in hazardous situation

COMMUNICATION• Entrant and attendant must maintain contact• Have backup communication system• Methods

– Simple voice– Radios– Telephone– “Tug Signals” on the cable

SELF-RESCUE• At first sign or trouble notify attendant and

begin evacuation• Attendant notifies other workers to evacuate• Rescue team notified if necessary

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY• At times a simple fan

will ventilate the permit required confined space enough to eliminate the hazard

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

NON-ENTRY RESCUE

• Entrant wears a harness• Cable attached to the harness• Use a hand crank! • Wristlets may be used

RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS

RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS

EMERGENCIES• Employer responsibilities:

– Rescuers provided with required PPE– Trained to perform rescue duties– Rescuers have authorized entrant’s

training– Practice rescue exercises completed yearly

• Full body harness and mechanical device

EMERGENCIESConfined Space Rescue teams must practice annually at each confined space they may provide rescue from

The employer must verify that the rescue team can perform rescue missions!

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

• Knowledge & skills for safe performance• Additional training when

– Job duties change– Change in program – New hazard identified– Employee’s job performance is deficient

• Emergency training (CPR and first aid)• Certificate of training issued

NAZLAT IMARA, EGYPT• The Domino Effect

– One worker gets in trouble– The next worker goes to help– A third worker goes to help...

"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please." -- Mark Twain