Confined Space - HR Employee Portal

Confined SpacesCounty of Henrico Risk ManagementLoss PreventionOctober 2nd 2013

Standard Permit-Required Confined Spaces 29CFR 1910.146

Confined SpaceConfined space is space that: Is large enough & so configured thatemployee can bodily enter & performassigned work Has limited or restricted means for entry orexit (i.e. tanks, vessels, silos, pits, vaults orhoppers) Is not designed for continuous employeeoccupancy

Permit-RequiredConfined SpacePermit-Required Confined Space is aconfined space that has one or more offollowing characteristics: Contains or has potential to containhazardous atmosphere Contains material that has potential forengulfing entrant

Permit-RequiredConfined SpaceHas internal configuration such thatentrant could be trapped or asphyxiated byinwardly converging walls or by floor whichslopes downward & tapers to smallercross-section Contains any other serious safety orhealth hazard

Examples

Characteristics Internal configuration Open- no obstacles, barriers or obstructionswithin space (i.e. water tank) Obstructed - permit space contains some typeof obstruction that rescuer would need tomaneuver around, such as baffle or mixingblade Large equipment, such as ladder or scaffoldbrought into space for work purposes, would beconsidered obstruction if positioning or size ofequipment would make rescue more difficult

Characteristics Elevation Elevated- permit space where entrance portalor opening is above grade 4 ft Usually requires knowledge of high angle rescueprocedures because of difficulty in packaging &transporting patient to ground from portal Non-elevated- permit space with entranceportal located 4 ft above grade Will allow rescue team to transport injuredemployee normally

Characteristics Portal size Restricted- portal 24” in least dimensionToo small to allow rescuer to simply enter spacewhile using SCBA Too small to allow normal spinal immobilization ofinjured employee Unrestricted - portal 24” in least dimensionThese portals allow relatively free movement intoand out of permit space

Characteristics Space access Horizontal- portal located on side of permitspace Use of retrieval lines could be difficult Vertical- portal located on top of permit space;rescuers must climb down, or at bottom ofpermit space, rescuers must climb up to enterspace May require knowledge of rope techniques orspecial patient packaging to safely retrieve downedentrant

29 CFR 1910.146Permit-Required Confined Spaces Scope & applicationDefinitionsGeneral requirements(to include dev. ofwritten plan)Permit-requiredconfined spacesPermit systemEntry permit TrainingDuties of authorizedentrantsDuties of attendantsDuties of entrysupervisorsRescue & emergencyservicesEmployeeparticipation

Appendices Appendix A - Permit-Required Confined SpaceDecision Flow ChartAppendix B - Procedures for AtmosphericTestingAppendix C - Examples of Permit-RequiredConfined Space ProgramsAppendix D - Confined Space Pre-Entry CheckListAppendix E - Sewer System EntryAppendix F - Rescue Team or Rescue ServiceEvaluation Criteria

Definitions Attendant Individualstationed outside one or morepermit spaces who monitors authorizedentrants & performs all attendant’s dutiesassigned in employer’s permit space program

Duties of AttendantsKnows hazards that may be faced duringentry Aware of possible behavioral effects ofhazard exposure in authorized entrants Continuously maintains accurate count ofauthorized entrants Remains outside permit space during entryoperations until relieved by anotherattendant

Duties of AttendantsCommunicates with authorized entrants Monitors activities inside & outside space Summons rescue & other emergencyservices Performs non-entry rescues as specifiedby employer's rescue procedure Performs no duties that might interfere withprimary duty to monitor & protectauthorized entrants

Definitions Authorized entrant Employeeauthorized by employer to enterpermit space

Duties of Authorized EntrantsKnow hazards that may be faced duringentry, including information on mode, signsor symptoms & consequences of exposure Properly use equipment as required byparagraph (d)(4) Communicate with attendant as necessaryto enable attendant to monitor entrantstatus & enable attendant to alert entrantsof need to evacuate space as required byparagraph (i)(6)

Duties of Authorized Entrants Alert attendant whenever: Entrantrecognizes any warning sign orsymptom of exposure to dangerous situation Entrant detects prohibited condition Exit from permit space as quickly as possiblewhenever:

Duties of Authorized Entrants Exit from permit space Orderto evacuate is given by attendant orentry supervisor Entrant recognizes any warning sign orsymptom of exposure to a dangeroussituation Entrant detects prohibited condition Evacuation alarm activated

Definitions Engulfment Surrounding& effective capture of person byliquid or finely divided (flowable) solidsubstance that can be aspirated to causedeath by filling or plugging respiratory system Can exert enough force on body to causedeath by strangulation, constriction orcrushing

Definitions Entry Actionby which personpasses through opening intopermit-required confinedspace Entry includes ensuing workactivities in space and isconsidered to have occurredas soon as any part ofentrant’s body breaks planeof opening into space

Definitions Entry Supervisor Person(such as employer, foreman or crew chief)responsible for determining if acceptable entryconditions are present at permit space where entry isplanned, for authorizing entry & overseeing entryoperations & for terminating entry Note: entry supervisor may serve as attendant orauthorized entrant, as long as that person is trained &equipped as required for each role filled Duties of entry supervisor may be passed from one individualto another during entry operations

Duties of Entry Supervisor Knows hazards that may be faced during entry,including information on mode, signs orsymptoms & consequences of exposureVerifies, by checking that appropriate entrieshave been made on permit, all tests specified bypermit have been conducted & all procedures &equipment specified by permit are in placebefore endorsing permit & allowing entry to beginTerminates entry & cancels permit as required byparagraph (e)(5)

Duties of Entry Supervisor Verifies that rescue services are available &means for summoning are operableRemoves unauthorized individuals who enter orattempt to enter permit space during entryoperationsDetermines, whenever responsibility for permitspace entry operation is transferred & atintervals dictated by hazards & operationsperformed within space, that entry operationsremain consistent with terms of entry permit &acceptable entry conditions are maintained

Definitions Hazardous atmosphere Atmospherethat may expose employees torisk of death, incapacitation, impairment ofability to self-rescue (i.e. unaided escape frompermit space), injury or acute illness from oneor more following causes: Flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10% ofLower Flammable Limit (LFL)

Definitions Hazardous atmosphere Airbornecombustible dust at concentrationthat meets or exceeds LFL Note: concentration may be approximated ascondition in which dust obscures vision atdistance of 5 ft or less Atmospheric oxygen concentration 19.5% or 23.5%

Definitions Hazardous atmosphere Atmosphericconcentration of any substancefor which dose or PEL could result inemployee exposure in excess of dose or PEL Note: atmospheric concentration of anysubstance not capable of causing death,incapacitation, impairment of ability to selfrescue, injury or acute illness due to healtheffects is not covered

Definitions Hazardous atmosphere Anyother atmospheric condition that is IDLH Note: for air contaminants which OSHA has nodose or PEL, other sources of information,such as MSDSs that comply with 29 CFR1910.1200, published information & internaldocuments can provide guidance inestablishing acceptable atmosphericconditions

Definitions Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health(IDLH) Conditionthat poses immediate or delayedthreat to life or cause irreversible adversehealth effects or interfere with individual’sability to escape unaided from permit space

Definitions Isolation Processby which permit space is removedfrom service & completely protected againstrelease of energy & material into space bysuch means as: blanking or blinding;misaligning or removing sections of lines,pipes or ducts; double block & bleed system;lockout or tagout of all sources of energy; orblocking or disconnecting all mechanicallinkages

Definitions Line breaking Intentionalopening of pipe, line or duct that isor has been carrying flammable, corrosive ortoxic material, inert gas or any fluid at volume,pressure or temperature capable of causinginjury

Definitions Rescue service Personnel designated torescue employeesfrom permit spacesNote: rescuepersonnel may beindustry emergencypersonnel, outsiderescue service orcombination of teams

Rescue & Emergency Services Rescue and emergency services Employerwho designates rescue &emergency services, pursuant to paragraph(d)(9) shall: Evaluate prospective rescuer's ability to respond torescue summons in timely manner, consideringhazard(s) identified

Definitions Retrieval system Equipment(including retrieval line, chest orfull-body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, &lifting device or anchor) used for non-entryrescue of persons from permit spaces

Definitions Testing Processby which hazards that may confrontentrants are identified & evaluated Testing includes specifying tests to beperformed in permit space Note: testing enables employers to devise &implement adequate control measures forprotection of authorized entrants & determineif acceptable entry conditions are presentimmediately prior to & during entry

Testing Protocol Before employee enters space, internalatmosphere shall be tested, with calibrateddirect-reading instrument, for followingconditions in order given Oxygencontent Flammable gases & vapors Potential toxic air contaminants

Other HazardsUnstable or dangerouswork surfaces Falling objects Insects or animals Biological

PRCS Signage

PRCS Written Plan Outline Introduction - company policyDefinitionsIdentification of confined spacesNotification and warningHazard identificationEquipment for entry & rescueEvaluation of confined spacesPermitsAuthorized entrantsAuthorized attendants

PRCS Written Plan OutlineEntry supervisors Entry procedures Communications procedures Rescue procedures Closure procedures Coordination of work with contractors Program review and update (requiredannually) Training requirements and documentation

Entry Permits Permit space to be enteredPurpose of entryDate & authorized duration of permitAuthorized entrantsAuthorized attendantsName & signature of entry supervisorHazards of permit space to be enteredIsolation of hazard control measuresAcceptable entry conditionsResults of initial & periodic atmospheric monitoringRescue & emergency servicesCommunications proceduresEquipment required for entry & rescue operationsOther necessary information & other required permits

Appendix A - Permit-Required Confined Space Decision Flow Chart Appendix B - Procedures for Atmospheric Testing Appendix C - Examples of Permit-Required Confined Space Programs Appendix D - Confined Space Pre-Entry Check List Appendix E - Sewer System Entry Appen