Confined Space Confined Space Refresher Refresher TrainingTraining

Prepared By: The Safety and Prepared By: The Safety and Environmental Management Environmental Management

DepartmentDepartment

Purpose and Goals Purpose and Goals

To understand what a confined To understand what a confined space isspace is

To understand what a To understand what a permit permit required confinedrequired confined space is space is

Know the roles of the authorized Know the roles of the authorized entrant, attendant, rescuer, and entrant, attendant, rescuer, and entry supervisor.entry supervisor.

OSHA Definition of a OSHA Definition of a Confined SpaceConfined Space

An area that isAn area that is1.1. large enough and so configured that an large enough and so configured that an

employee can bodily enter and do employee can bodily enter and do assigned work.assigned work.

2.2. has limited or restricted means for entry has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (examples: tanks, vessels, or exit (examples: tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, ducts, vaults & pits)silos, storage bins, ducts, vaults & pits)

3.3. is not designated for continuous is not designated for continuous employee occupancyemployee occupancy

What is a Permit Required What is a Permit Required Confined Space?Confined Space?

Contains or has the potential to contain a Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.hazardous atmosphere.

OROR Contains a material that has the potential for Contains a material that has the potential for

engulfing an entrant (i.e. water, sand, grain, soil)engulfing an entrant (i.e. water, sand, grain, soil)OROR Has an internal configuration such that an Has an internal configuration such that an

entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section;section;

OROR Contains any other recognized serious safety or Contains any other recognized serious safety or

health hazard.health hazard.

What is a Hazardous What is a Hazardous Atmosphere?Atmosphere?

a. Flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10 percent a. Flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit.of its lower flammable limit.

b. Combustible dust at a concentration that meets or b. Combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL (approximated to visibility of 5 ft. or exceeds its LFL (approximated to visibility of 5 ft. or less).less).

c. Atmospheric oxygen concentration <19.5% or >23.5%.c. Atmospheric oxygen concentration <19.5% or >23.5%.

d. Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which d. Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a dose or permissible exposure limit has been a dose or permissible exposure limit has been established.established.

e. Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately e. Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health.dangerous to life or health.

Atmospheric Hazards Atmospheric Hazards ContinuedContinued

Atmospheric hazards in confined Atmospheric hazards in confined spaces are responsible for over spaces are responsible for over 40% of all fatalities in confined 40% of all fatalities in confined spaces.spaces.

Atmosphere inside a confined space can be very Atmosphere inside a confined space can be very different from the atmosphere outside. Hazardous different from the atmosphere outside. Hazardous gases may be trapped inside spaces, particularly if gases may be trapped inside spaces, particularly if the space is used to store or process chemicals or the space is used to store or process chemicals or organic substances which may decompose and organic substances which may decompose and become flammable or explosive.become flammable or explosive.

Gases to be Aware of in Gases to be Aware of in Hazardous Atmospheres.Hazardous Atmospheres.

90% of fatalities are caused by atmospheric90% of fatalities are caused by atmospheric

Conditions were the result of exposure to:Conditions were the result of exposure to:

• • carbon monoxide (CO)carbon monoxide (CO)

• • carbon dioxide (COcarbon dioxide (CO22))

• • hydrogen sulfide (Hhydrogen sulfide (H22S)S)

• • oxygen deficiencyoxygen deficiency• • combustible gases combustible gases

(methane)(methane)

The 4 Categories of The 4 Categories of Hazardous Atmospheres Hazardous Atmospheres

Asphyxiating.Asphyxiating. Flammable,Flammable, Toxic, andToxic, and Irritant and/or CorrosiveIrritant and/or Corrosive

What to do if a Hazardous What to do if a Hazardous Atmosphere is DetectedAtmosphere is Detected

Everyone is to LEAVE the space Everyone is to LEAVE the space IMMEDIATELY!IMMEDIATELY!

RE-EVALUATE to determineRE-EVALUATE to determine WHY.WHY.

Perform CORRECTIVE ACTION.Perform CORRECTIVE ACTION.

VERIFY space is safe – redo testing.VERIFY space is safe – redo testing.

CERTIFYCERTIFY the above in the above in WRITINGWRITING.. Record date, location, signature of certifierRecord date, location, signature of certifier MUST be completed prior to re-entry.MUST be completed prior to re-entry.

Physical HazardsPhysical HazardsPhysical hazards are the second leading cause of fatalities inPhysical hazards are the second leading cause of fatalities in

confined spaces (36%). Potential physical hazards confined spaces (36%). Potential physical hazards include:include:

• • Possibility of Possibility of engulfment or entrapmentengulfment or entrapment by flooding while working in a by flooding while working in astorm sewer.storm sewer.

• • Pipes, valves and linesPipes, valves and lines carrying harmful substances (steam, natural gas carrying harmful substances (steam, natural gasand electricity) should they rupture while being worked on or activated ifand electricity) should they rupture while being worked on or activated ifnot locked out.not locked out.

• • Exposure to Exposure to high environmental temperatureshigh environmental temperatures during work activities. during work activities.

• • Slips and fallsSlips and falls on wet surfaces or resulting from broken or oxidized on wet surfaces or resulting from broken or oxidized ladderladder

rungs.rungs.

• • Accidental activationAccidental activation of hazardous equipment while being repaired. of hazardous equipment while being repaired.

• • Loud noiseLoud noise reverberating from the use of hammers, hydraulic reverberating from the use of hammers, hydraulic equipment,equipment,

etc.etc.

Physical Hazards Physical Hazards ContinuedContinued

Isolation of the space is necessary to prevent Isolation of the space is necessary to prevent the release of energy or material into the the release of energy or material into the

space.space.

• • Lock / Tag / Try all energy sources.Lock / Tag / Try all energy sources.• • Disconnect pumps or lines.Disconnect pumps or lines.• • Blanking or blinding.Blanking or blinding.• • Removing sections of lines, pipes or Removing sections of lines, pipes or

ducts.ducts.• • Double block and bleed system.Double block and bleed system.• • Blocking or disconnecting all Blocking or disconnecting all

mechanical linkages.mechanical linkages.

Hazard RecognitionHazard Recognition

1.1. Recognize the potential hazardsRecognize the potential hazards

2.2. Once you know the hazards, check Once you know the hazards, check the MSDS & other information the MSDS & other information sourcessources

3.3. Have the space tested for Have the space tested for oxygen, oxygen, combustibility,combustibility, and and toxicity toxicity (H(H22S)near entry area & insideS)near entry area & inside without entering.without entering.

4.4. Power ventilate space before Power ventilate space before enteringentering

Before Entering a SpaceBefore Entering a Space ELIMINATEELIMINATE any condition that makes itany condition that makes it

unsafe to remove an entrance cover. unsafe to remove an entrance cover. If a vertical entry, If a vertical entry, GUARDGUARD the opening the opening

with railings, temporary cover or with railings, temporary cover or barrier.barrier.

Perform Perform PRE-ENTRY TESTINGPRE-ENTRY TESTING.. Oxygen content [OOxygen content [O22]] Flammable gasses and vapors [LEL]Flammable gasses and vapors [LEL] Potential toxic (HPotential toxic (H22S) contaminantsS) contaminants

Install Install CONTINOUS FORCEDCONTINOUS FORCED AIR VENTILATION AIR VENTILATION..

Safety ProceduresSafety ProceduresPlan the job before entering the space so you know what Plan the job before entering the space so you know what

you're going to do and how you're going to do it.you're going to do and how you're going to do it.

Select only grounded, explosion-proof equipment for use in Select only grounded, explosion-proof equipment for use in the space.the space.

Assemble your tools and equipment so you don't have to Assemble your tools and equipment so you don't have to keep going inkeep going in

and out for them.and out for them.

Cut off any steam, water, heat, or power lines going into the Cut off any steam, water, heat, or power lines going into the space before you enter.space before you enter.

Lock out and tag any equipment that should stay off while Lock out and tag any equipment that should stay off while you're inside.you're inside.

Post your entry permit outside the space to make sure no Post your entry permit outside the space to make sure no one enters – or forgets that you're there.one enters – or forgets that you're there.

Safety Procedures Safety Procedures ContinuedContinued

Keep ventilating while you're in the space.Keep ventilating while you're in the space.

Don't take food, drink, or cigarettes into a confined Don't take food, drink, or cigarettes into a confined space.space.

Don't enter a confined space if you aren't feeling well.Don't enter a confined space if you aren't feeling well.

Periodically let your attendant know you're okay Periodically let your attendant know you're okay through athrough a

prearranged signal.prearranged signal.

Do the job as quickly as possible -- clean up and get out. Do the job as quickly as possible -- clean up and get out. Don't leave anything inside the space.Don't leave anything inside the space.

Leave the space immediately if you have any hint of Leave the space immediately if you have any hint of problemsproblems

The Entry Supervisor The Entry Supervisor Must:Must:

Have knowledge of the spaceHave knowledge of the space’’s specific s specific hazards, symptoms and results of exposure.hazards, symptoms and results of exposure.

Verify that all test procedures, PPE and Verify that all test procedures, PPE and rescue equipment specified by the permit rescue equipment specified by the permit are in place.are in place.

Know when to cancel the permit & entry Know when to cancel the permit & entry becausebecauseof hazardous situations or job completion.of hazardous situations or job completion.

Understand procedures for contacting Understand procedures for contacting proper emergency personnel.proper emergency personnel.

Enforces unauthorized entry policy.Enforces unauthorized entry policy.

Entry Supervisor Entry Supervisor ContinuedContinued

Entry Supervisor will sign the Entry Supervisor will sign the UMaine CS Permit prior to entry.UMaine CS Permit prior to entry.

The permit is to be posted / The permit is to be posted / available available atat the opening until the the opening until the permit is canceled or closed by the permit is canceled or closed by the entry supervisor.entry supervisor.

EveryEvery confined space at UMaine confined space at UMaine needs a permit.needs a permit.

Confined Space EntrantConfined Space Entrant Must be able to communicate with the Must be able to communicate with the

attendant at all times during the attendant at all times during the entry, either by vocal, visual, or entry, either by vocal, visual, or mechanical means (i.e. two-way radio).mechanical means (i.e. two-way radio).

Using knowledge of exposure Using knowledge of exposure conditions, be able to inform conditions, be able to inform attendant when hazardous conditions attendant when hazardous conditions occur – including prohibited activities, occur – including prohibited activities, and to know when to call for and to know when to call for evacuation or help.evacuation or help.

Confined Space Entrant Confined Space Entrant ContinuedContinued

The entrant The entrant WILLWILL exit as quickly as exit as quickly as possible when:possible when:

Attendant or Entry Supervisor gives Attendant or Entry Supervisor gives an evacuation order.an evacuation order.

The entrant notices a warning sign or The entrant notices a warning sign or symptom.symptom.

Detects a prohibited condition / Detects a prohibited condition / activity.activity.

An evacuation alarm is activated.An evacuation alarm is activated.

Confined Space Confined Space AttendantAttendant

The attendant is the person who is:The attendant is the person who is: outside outside the confined space,the confined space,

observingobserving work being done inside the work being done inside the space,space,

surveyingsurveying conditionsconditions in and around the in and around the space,space,

looking for hazardous conditionslooking for hazardous conditions in and in and

around the space.around the space.

Confined Space Confined Space AttendantAttendant

1.1. The attendant must have knowledge of all The attendant must have knowledge of all hazards and their behavioral effects that hazards and their behavioral effects that may be faced during the entry.may be faced during the entry.

2.2. Under no circumstances is the attendant Under no circumstances is the attendant allowed to "break the plane" of the space,allowed to "break the plane" of the space,for rescue or other reasons during the for rescue or other reasons during the entry.entry.

3.3. The attendant must be able to The attendant must be able to communicate with the entrant, by vocal, communicate with the entrant, by vocal, visual, or mechanical (i.e. two-way radio) visual, or mechanical (i.e. two-way radio) at all times during the entry.at all times during the entry.

Confined Space Attendant Confined Space Attendant ContinuedContinued

RETRIVAL DEVICES shall be used for all entries RETRIVAL DEVICES shall be used for all entries unless the retrieval equipment increases risk or unless the retrieval equipment increases risk or would not contribute to the rescue.would not contribute to the rescue.

Entrant shall use a chest or full body harness Entrant shall use a chest or full body harness with retrieval line properly attached as per with retrieval line properly attached as per OSHA.OSHA.

Retrieval line will be attached to a fixed point or Retrieval line will be attached to a fixed point or mechanical device. Vertical entries of more than mechanical device. Vertical entries of more than 5 feet require a mechanical device.5 feet require a mechanical device.

The Attendant can perform NON-ENTRY RESCUEThe Attendant can perform NON-ENTRY RESCUEif retrieval devices are in place for use.if retrieval devices are in place for use.

Confined Space Attendant Confined Space Attendant ContinuedContinued

If you're the attendant and the person inside If you're the attendant and the person inside needsneeds

help, here's what you do:help, here's what you do:   DO NOTDO NOT ENTERENTER the space. the space.   Sound the alarmSound the alarm –– Make THE call Make THE call –– Get HELP on Get HELP on

the way THEN: the way THEN: If the safety line is a direct If the safety line is a direct access access –– unencumbered by any interferences:unencumbered by any interferences:

try to remove the person with the winch, try to remove the person with the winch, harness and/or ropes harness and/or ropes –– never go in the never go in the spacespace..

Make sure ventilation equipment is operating.Make sure ventilation equipment is operating.

The EndThe End