confined space entry. disclaimer this training material presents very important information. your...

Confined Space Entry

Disclaimer

• This training material presents very important information.

• Your organization must do an evaluation of all exposures, applicable codes and regulations, and establish proper controls, training, and protective measures to effectively control exposures and assure compliance.

• This program is neither a determination that the conditions and practices of your organization are safe nor a warranty that reliance upon this program will prevent accidents and losses or satisfy local, state or federal regulations.

• All procedures and training, whether required by law or not, should be implemented and reviewed by safety and risk management professionals, and legal counsel to ensure that all local, state and federal requirements are satisfied.

Course Outline – Confined Space Entry

1. Key Definitions2. Examples of Confined Spaces3. Confined Space Entry Standard4. Program Elements5. Responsibilities6. Permit System7. Atmospheric Monitoring8. Flammable Atmosphere Monitoring9. Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)10.Toxic Hazards11.Entry Preparation12.Rescue services13.Program Audit

Key Definitions

Definitions and key points of confined spaces:

•Large enough for entry & work

•Limited means of entry & exit

•Not designed for continuous occupancy

Examples of Confined Spaces

A Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS) is a confined space with one or more of the following:

•Hazardous atmosphere potential

•Engulfment hazard

•Hazardous internal configuration

•Other serious safety hazard

“Entry” is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant’s body breaks the plane of an opening into the space.

Examples of Confined Spaces

Typical examples of confined spaces:Non-permit required:• Utility closets• Below grade trenches• Storage vaults• Scroll cases• Railcar

Permit required:• Chemical storage tanks• Plumbing or electrical vaults• Drainage sumps• Hoppers

Confined Space Entry Standard

Confined Space Entry Standard as defined by OSHA:

•Establish definitions of spaces, roles and responsibilities and requirements for entry

•Requires a written program

•Requires employers to establish a permit system for entry

•Defines hazards within confined spaces

•Requires all confined spaces to be identified and hazards to be communicated to employees•Identifies and evaluates permit space hazards before allowing employee entry•Tests conditions in the permit space before entry operations and monitors the space during entry


Confined Space Entry Standard as defined by OSHA (continued):

•Perform in the following sequence, appropriate testing for atmospheric hazards: oxygen, combustible gases or vapors, and toxic gases or vapors•Implement necessary measures to prevent unauthorized entry •Control hazards necessary for safe permit-space entry operations•Establish and implement the means, procedures and practices --such as specifying acceptable entry conditions, isolating the permit space, providing barriers, verifying acceptable entry conditions, purging, making inert, flushing, or ventilation of the permit space--to eliminate•Provide, maintain, and require, at no cost to the employee, the use of personal protective equipment and any other equipment necessary for safe entry, e.g., testing, monitoring, ventilating, communications, and lighting equipment; barriers, shields, and ladders •Ensure that at least one attendant is stationed outside the permit space for the duration of entry operations


Confined Space Entry Standard as defined by OSHA (continued):

•Coordinate entry operations when employees of more than one employer are to be working in the permit space•Implement appropriate procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services•Establish, in writing, and implement a system for the preparation, issuance, use, and cancellation of entry permits

•Identify employee job duties

•Review established entry operations and annually revise the permit-space entry program

•When an attendant is required to monitor multiple spaces, implement the procedures to be followed during an emergency in one or more of the permit spaces being monitored

•Maintain canceled entry permits for at least one year

Program Elements

Program Elements:

1. Identification and Labeling: Determine what the confined spaces are and ensure proper labeling

2. Hazard Identification: Identify hazards and air monitoring and ventilation conducted

Atmospheric hazards (oxygen, flammability, toxicity) Inherent or introduced from work to be done Physical hazards

3. Entry conditions4. Equipment5. Responsibilities6. Emergency rescue7. Training8. Audit

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of personnel:

•Attendant

•Entrant

•Confined space entry supervisor

•Rescue personnel

Responsibilities

Attendant responsibilities:

•Attend pre-entry briefing •Evaluate and know the hazards of the space•Monitor and maintain communication with entrant•Control access to the space•Remain outside until relieved. Do not enter space even for rescue•Only enter if allowed by permit, if trained and if equipped•Summon rescue•Take action with unauthorized entrants•No other duties to be performed while on watch•Maintain accountability of entrants

Responsibilities

Entrant responsibilities:

•Attend pre-entry briefing

•Know hazards

•Follow permit requirements

•Properly use equipment

•Communicate with attendant

•Alert attendant to danger

•Exit space when danger is recognized or when ordered to by attendant

Responsibilities

Entrant responsibilities (continued):

•Retrieval line and equipment procedures:

Must ensure that the other end of the retrieval line is attached to a mechanical device or to a fixed point outside the permit space. A mechanical device must be available to retrieve personnel from vertical type permit spaces more than 5 feet deep.

Employees required to wear retrieval devices must wear a chest or full body harness with a retrieval line attached to the center of their back near their shoulder level, or above their heads if the confined space is more than five feet deep.

Responsibilities

Entrant responsibilities (continued):

•Retrieval line and equipment procedures:

Wristlets may be used if the employer can demonstrate that the use of a chest or full body harness is infeasible or creates a greater hazard.

If an injured entrant is exposed to a substance for which a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or other similar written information is required to be kept at the worksite, that SDS or other written information must be made available to the medical facility treating the exposed entrant.

Responsibilities

Entry Supervisor responsibilities:

•Fully understand hazards

•Verify completion of permit conditions

•Understand required tests and monitoring

•Ensure required procedures and equipment in place

•Ensure availability of rescue

•Assure unauthorized persons do not enter

Responsibilities

Rescue and emergency personnel responsibilities:

•Understand hazards of the space

•Be able to respond quickly for rescue

•Train for rescue from similar or representative spaces

•Perform non-entry and entry rescue

•Be trained in First Aid/CPR

•Can be contracted or in-house

Responsibilities

Employer responsibilities:

•Before initial work assignment begins, the employer must provide proper training for all workers who are required to work in permit spaces

•Employers must ensure that employees have acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of their duties

•Additional training is required when: The job duties change There is a change in the permit-space program or the permit

space operation presents a new hazard When an employee's job performance shows deficiencies

Responsibilities

Education and training:

•Training also is required for rescue team members, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid training (see emergencies). Employers must certify that training has been accomplished.

•Employees must receive a certificate of training that includes the employee's name, signature or initials of trainer(s), and dates of training. The certification must be made available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. Employees are to be trained in their assigned duties.

Permit System

Key elements of permit system:

•A permit, signed by the entry supervisor and verifying that pre-entry preparations have been completed and that the space is safe to enter, must be posted at entrances or otherwise made available to entrants before they enter a permit space.

•The duration of entry permits must not exceed the time required to complete an assignment.

•The entry supervisor must terminate entry and cancel permits when an assignment has been completed or when new conditions exist.

•New conditions must be noted on the canceled permit and used in revising the permit space program. The standard also requires the employer to keep all canceled entry permits for at least 1 year.

Permit System

Key elements of permit system (continued):

•Space to be entered

•Purpose

•Date, authorized duration of entry

•Name of attendant, entrants, supervisor

•Signature/initial of supervisor

•Hazards of space

Permit System


•Methods to isolate space and eliminate/control hazardsex. lockout, ventilation, blind lines.

•Acceptable entry conditions

•Test results, time, name/initials of tester

•Rescue services

•Communication procedures

Permit System


• Equipment to be providedPPE, test, communication, and rescue equipment

• Additional permits, e.g. hot work

• Means to summon rescue services

• Other pertinent information needed to ensure employee safety

Permit System

When entry is prohibited the employer must:

•Take effective measures to prevent unauthorized entry.

•Non-permit confined spaces must be re-evaluated when there are changes in their use or configuration and, where appropriate, must be reclassified.

•If testing and inspection data prove that a permit-required confined space no longer poses hazards, that space may be reclassified as a non-permit confined space.

Permit System

When entry is prohibited the employer must (continued):

•Contractors also must be informed of permit spaces and permit space entry requirements, any identified hazards, the employer's experience with the space (i.e., the knowledge of hazardous conditions), and precautions or procedures to be followed when in or near permit spaces.

•When employees of more than one employer are conducting entry operations, the affected employers must coordinate entry operations to ensure that affected employees are appropriately protected from permit space hazards. Contractors must also be given other pertinent information regarding hazards and operations in permit spaces and be debriefed at the conclusion of entry operations.

Permit System

Permit Space Labeling

•Must be posted at the space entry

Atmospheric Monitoring

Confined space hazards can be grouped into six categories:

•Atmospheric hazards

•Physical hazards

•Engulfment hazards

•Corrosive hazards

•Biological hazards

•Other hazards


Confined Space Atmosphere = “The gases, vapors, mists, fumes, and dusts present in the confined space.”

Normal composition of air: • 78% Nitrogen• 21% Oxygen• 1% All other gases

–CO2

–Argon–Neon–Water vapor–Methane, etc.


Oxygen deficient atmospheres:

• #1 Cause of confined space accidents

•Flammable atmospheres

•Toxic atmospheres

Hazardous atmospheres can be inherent to space, caused by outside influence or a result of work conducted within the space.


Oxygen:

•Acceptable oxygen levels are 19.5% to 23.5%

•Displacement by other gases, such as ?

<19.5%… air is considered oxygen deficient

<20.9%… what is there?!

•Consumption by chemical reaction, e.g., rusting, combustion

•Consumption by bacterial action


Health effects of oxygen deficiency:

20.9% Oxygen content in normal air

19.5% Minimum amount of oxygen required for work

19.5% - 12% Increases pulse and respiration, impaired judgment, coordination loss.

12.0% -10% Disturbed respiration, fatigue, faulty judgment, poor circulation, symptoms within seconds to minutes.

10.0% - 6% Nausea, vomiting, inability to move, loss of consciousness and death.

6% - 0% Convulsions, gasping respiration, cessation of breathing, cardiac

arrest, and death within minutes.


Flammable gases and vapors:

•Naturally occurring Methane, natural gas, hydrogen sulfide• Chemical reaction Hydrogen

•Process related Fuels, paints, welding, solvents, etc.

•Combustible dust Sugar, grain, sawdust, etc.

•Allowable entry conditions: < 10% LEL


Toxic atmospheres:

•Naturally occurring Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

•Chemical reaction Carbon monoxide

•Process related Paints, welding, solvents, chemicals

•Allowable entry conditions: < PEL or TLV


Methane:

•Colorless

•Odorless

•Non-toxic

•Asphyxiate (displaces O2)

•Lighter than air

•Explosive range (5% to 15%)


Carbon monoxide:

•Colorless

•Odorless

•Toxic

•Asphyxiant (displaces O2)

•Vapor density = to air

•Explosive range (12.5% to 74.2%)


Health effects of carbon dioxide:

•Colorless

•Odorless

•Non-combustible gas

•Toxic

•Exposure symptoms

•Headache

•Dizziness

•Restlessness

•Vapor density is 1.53


Hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas):

•Colorless

•Smell like rotten eggs

•Toxic

•Vapor density is 1.89

•Explosive range (4% to 44%)

•Common in sewage facilities

•Diminishes your sensitivity to smell


All confined spaces require atmospheric monitoring prior to entry:

•Monitoring needs to be conducted prior to confined space entry and as often as necessary by trained and qualified personnel.

•Monitoring equipment must be calibrated and maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions.

•Appropriate control measures are based on atmospheric monitoring.


Confined space testing needs to be done in the following order:

1.Oxygen

2.Flammable gases or vapors

3.Toxic gases or vapors


Monitoring needs to consider:

•Vapor density… where a material would be located (will it rise or collect at the bottom of a space based on its weight vs. air)•Work to be done

•What was in the space

•Vapor pressure of materials ability to evaporate

Liquids with high vapor evaporate quickly


• Hydrogen

• Methane

• Carbon monoxide

• Ammonia

Heavier than air

•Propane

•Acetylene

•Hydrogen sulfide

•Argon

Lighter Lighter than airthan air

Vapor density:


Oxygen deficient causes:

•Displacement of air in space

Hot work using the available oxygen

Process equipment

Inerting and others


• Oxygen deficient from inerting:

Rendering the atmosphere of a confined space non-combustible or chemically non-reactive.

Spaces which have been inerted to prevent a combustible atmosphere are typically oxygen deficient.

Oxygen deficient causes (continued):


Oxygen enrichment:

•Dramatically promotes and accelerates combustion.

•Never use O2 to ventilate a confined space.

•> 23% is enriched.

Flammable Atmosphere Monitoring

• The range between the Lower Explosive Level (LEL) is the minimum concentration of a combustible gas or vapor in air which will ignite if a source of ignition is present

• Upper Explosive Level (UEL) is the maximum concentration of a combustible gas or vapor in air which will ignite if a source of ignition is present

• Atmospheres in this range will burn or explode if an ignition source is present

Flammability range:

LEL UEL

0 10 100

Percent LELCombustible Gas/Vapor Reading Instruments read in “Percent LEL”


Combustible gas concentrations must be below 10% of the LEL for confined space entry

Flammability range (continued):

Gas concentration

Too lean to burn

Too rich to burn

Flammability Range

LEL UEL

COMBUSTIBLES

AIR


Atmospheric hazards:

Different gasses have different flammability ranges:


LEL UEL

• Acetone 2.6% 12.8%

• Ammonia 16% 25%

• Ethylene oxide 3% 100%

• Methane 5% 15%

• Propane 2.2% 9.5%

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):

•Toxic atmospheres are considered unacceptable for entry when concentrations of gases, dusts, mists, or vapors are present in concentrations above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).

•Exposures above the PEL require control measures to reduce exposures or the use of appropriate Personal Protection Equipment.

•PEL concentrations are a simple arithmetic average of worker exposure over time TWA’s are usually calculated on an 8 hour exposure basis.

TWA

PEAK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Worker’s exposure profile (8 hour TWA)

PPM

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Toxic Hazards

Often invisible to human

senses:

• CO2

• Methane

• CO

• H2S

• Odor thresholds do not provide

adequate protection for workers.

Toxic Hazards

PermissibleExposure Limit (PPM) Substance

Carbon Dioxide 5,000Carbon Monoxide 50 Hydrogen Sulfide 20 Methane 1,000Nitric Oxide 25Oxygen diflouride 0.05Phosgene (carbonyl chloride) 0.1Sulfur Dioxide 5Stoddard Solvent 500

Air monitoring permissible levels:

Toxic Hazards

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH):

•Any condition that poses a threat to life

•Cause irreversible adverse health effects

•Interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a permit space.•Concentrations so high that they present an immediate risk of injury, sickness, or death to an exposed worker.•Never enter or work in an IDLH atmosphere.

Entry permitted only by emergency rescue, and only if properly equipped!

Entry Preparation

Evaluate condition of space: •Safe for entry •Not safe for entry•Entry safe for hot work •Not safe for hot work

Prepare permit:•Space to be entered •Purpose for entry •Hazards in space •Hazard control measures •Test results •Special equipment •Authorized entrants and attendant

Entry Preparation

Evaluate the space:

•Determine previous products used in space•Obtain physical and chemical properties•Select appropriate instruments •Calibrate instruments •Test in the following order:

Oxygen, flammability, toxicity•Test before ventilation to get accurate assessment of what could be present•Turn ventilation on after testing •Conduct visual inspection

Entry Preparation

Evaluate outside the space:

•Prior to entry

•Test all depths

•Entrant observes monitoring

•Monitoring should be performed either continuously or periodically throughout the confined space entry

•Monitor during work: is the work creating a hazard?

Ventilation requirements:

•Ventilation is required to correct unsafe atmospheres and maintain safe atmospheres

•CS ventilation is usually supply type (blowing into the confined space)

Entry Preparation

Entry Preparation

Physical hazards:

•Moving parts•Electrical •Process hazards•Inwardly converging walls•Falls•Chemical hazards•Temperature extremes•Hazardous energy that can activate machinery in the space•Engulfment hazards: liquids or flow able solids•Radiation•Other

Entry Preparation

Engulfment hazards:

• Preparing space by draining, cleaning

• Isolating space to prevent material inflow• Blind lines• Disconnect and misalign lines• “Double block and bleed” of valves

Entry Preparation

• Identify spaces and hazards

• Communicate hazards to employees

• Provide necessary equipment

• Ensure employees are trained

• Ensure a permit system and written program are in place

• Allow entrants to observe monitoring

Identify and eliminate hazards if possible:

Entry Preparation

HAZARDS CONTROLS- What Are They/ Are They Adequate?

Access

Atmosphere- O2

Atmosphere- LEL

Atmosphere- Toxins

Energies

Engulfment

Entrapment

Temperature

Work Platform/Position

Noise

Communication

Retraction Hazards/Issues

Creation of a hazard by work to be done

Hot Work

Chemicals… Flammables, Dust, OTHER

Other (e.g., tasks done, Rescue Process)

Hazard assessments:

Entry Preparation

Isolate any potential energy source to the space:•Electricity

•Hydraulic

•Steam

•Drive mechanisms

•Pneumatic

•Gravity flow of product

•Must be performed by an authorized employee.*

•Printed tags and locks are used to warn other employees of isolated energy source.

Lockout and tagout:

Entry Preparation

Review all preparations for entry:

•Perform hazard assessment to understand exposures and needed controls•Complete and issue permit•Have a preparation safety meeting to review hazards, controls, communications and rescue•Perform testing & monitoring•Prepare space (draining/cleaning)•Prepare isolation (prevent material inflow) and lockout as needed•Check ventilation

Consider how and where to ventilate to•Assess access and egress safety•Confirm Personal Protective Equipment available•Permit closure

Entry Preparation

If hazardous conditions are detected during entry:

•Employees must immediately leave the space

•Employer must evaluate the space to determine the cause of the hazardous atmosphere

Entry Preparation

If an emergency occurs:

•Ensure employees know how to use all entry and rescue equipment

•Coordinate with rescue services

•Ensure that rescue personnel can respond quickly and are properly trained and equipped

Rescue Services

In-house rescue services:

•Must have proper PPE

•Must be trained and proficient

•Must be trained as entrants and in rescue procedures and gear

•Must have basic first aid/CPR training

•Must practice rescues from spaces

Rescue Services

Contracted rescue services:

• Must respond in a timely manner based on hazards• Must be proficient in rescue tasks

• Must be evaluated by employer

• Must be properly equipped

• Must be informed of hazards/situations

• Must have access to review spaces

• Must be notified when entry occurs

Rescue Services

Additional rescue requirements:

•Non-entry rescue/retrieval equipment is required unless the equipment would hinder rescue.

•Full body harness with lifeline connection in back.

•Wristlets can be used if harness is not feasible.

•Retrieval line must be attached to a mechanical retrieval device or a fixed point outside the space.

•Mechanical retrieval is required for spaces more than 5 feet deep.

Program Audit

Evaluate:•Confined space entry postings and permits•Training & documentation•Pre-job tool box vs. minimally required training •Calibrations•Gear used•Document your audit

Perform:•In field reviews•Interviews of entrants, standby, supervisors, contractors, area employees

Program Audit

Contractor reviews:

•Written program and training documentation review before onsite

•Injury data and references, OSHA citation history

•Certificates of Insurance

•Training

•Onsite reviews & safety observations to assure crew is following requirements

Program Audit

Self audit check list:

•Are confined spaces thoroughly emptied of any corrosive or hazardous substances, such as acids or caustics, before entry?

•Are all lines to a confined space, containing inert, toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials valved off and blanked or disconnected and separated before entry?

•Are all impellers, agitators, or other moving parts and equipment inside confined spaces locked-out if they present a hazard?

•Is either natural or mechanical ventilation provided prior to confined space entry?

•Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic substances and explosive concentrations in the confined space before entry?

Program Audit

Self audit check list (continued):

•Is adequate illumination provided for the work to be performed in the confined space?

•Is the atmosphere inside the confined space frequently tested or continuously monitored during conduct of work?

•Is there an assigned safety standby employee outside of the confined space when required, whose sole responsibility is to watch the work in progress, sound an alarm if necessary, and render assistance?

•Is the standby employee appropriately trained and equipped to handle an emergency?

•Is the standby employee or are other employees prohibited from entering the confined space without lifelines and respiratory equipment if there is any question as to the cause of an emergency?

Program Audit


•Is approved respiratory equipment required if the atmosphere inside the confined space cannot be made acceptable?

•Is all portable electrical equipment used inside confined spaces either grounded and insulated, or equipped with ground fault protection?

•Before gas welding or burning is started in a confined space, are hoses checked for leaks, compressed gas bottles forbidden inside of the confined space, torches lighted only outside of the confined area and the confined area tested for an explosive atmosphere each time before a lighted torch is to be taken into the confined space?

•If employees will be using oxygen-consuming equipment, such as salamanders, torches, and furnaces, in a confined space, is sufficient air provided to assure combustion without reducing the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume; address CO, etc.?

Program Audit


•Whenever combustion-type equipment is used in a confined space, are provisions made to ensure the exhaust gases are vented outside of the enclosure?

•Is each confined space checked for decaying vegetation or animal matter which may produce methane?

•Is the confined space checked for possible industrial waste which could contain toxic properties?

•If the confined space is below the ground and near areas where motor vehicles will be operating, is it possible for vehicle exhaust or carbon monoxide to enter the space?

Program Audit

Rescue team evaluation criteria:

•Adequately trained to perform permit space rescues of the kind needed at the facility.

•Adequately equipped (all the time).

•Whether such rescuers can respond in a timely manner; based on events that could occur.

•Performance evaluations: Measure the performance of the team during practice

rescue. Evaluate communication issues, staff, training, staffing

levels, gear and its use, response time, retraction time. Teams practice in representative spaces, or in spaces that

are "worst-case" or most restrictive with respect to internal configuration, elevation, and portal size.

Summary – Confined Space

Key points identified in this program:

•Definition of confined space•Determination of when a confined space permit is required•Defined responsibilities of all personnel involved in a confined space entry•Key points needed to obtain a confined space permit•The importance of atmospheric monitoring•Potential toxic hazards•The importance of entry preparation•Keeping rescue services alert and trained.•Auditing your program

Confined Space EntryThis form documents that the training specified above was presented to the listed participants. By signing below, each participant acknowledges receiving this training.

Organization:

Trainer: Trainer’s Signature:

Class Participants:Name: Signature: Date:

Name: Signature: Date:












confined space entry. disclaimer this training material presents very important information. your...

Documents

confined space entry

confined space prcs

permit space hazards

entry preparation

acceptable entry conditions

key points of confined

serious safety hazard

definitions of spaces