Chapter 2
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The General/Prime Contractor will: provide program oversight, enforcement, and supplements as necessary.
2. The General/Prime Contractor Safety Manager, with assistance from the Confined Space Team (CST) will:
a. Serve as the focal point for implementation of this standard.
b. Coordinate the site's confined space program.
c. Lead the site Confined Space Team (CST).
d. Ensure the Safety representatives on the CST are trained in confined space requirements. Each member on the CST shall attend a formal confined space course. If the person has not attended a formal confined space course, the safety manager will ensure the person is trained or has adequate experience in confined space operations.
e. Maintain confined space records that are provided by the subcontractors, whether located on or off the site.
f. Verify all possible means have been employed in an effort to reduce the hazard classification of the space.
g. Verify entry supervisors are trained, qualified, and experienced to authorize
permit-required confined space entries. Appointment letters for Confined Space Entry Supervisor's with documentation for training shall be provided to the Safety Manager before entry is allowed.
h. Verify contractor procedures and confirm appropriate rescue teams and equipment are immediately available prior to planned entry.
i. Evaluate the effectiveness of the procedures implemented to protect the entrants.
j. In conjunction with contractor safety personnel, assist entry supervisors
in the selection of PPE. k. Assist, as required, in training entry supervisors who issue entry permits and authorize entries into permit-required confined spaces.
l. When required, provide training for confined space entry functions (entry supervisor, entrant, attendant).
m. Review and approve non-routine entry permits which are not contained in the master entry plan (MEP).
n. Decertify unqualified confined space supervisors, attendants, entrants, and rescue team members who through performance fail to comply with this standard.
o. Review the confined space program at least annually. The review will include a review of all MEPs, assessment of training, rescue procedures, qualifications of entry supervisors, and a review of expired and (or) revoked entry permits.
p. Ensure a current list of all confined spaces, both permit-required and non-permit is maintained.
q. Review all non-permit confined spaces at least annually to ascertain that no changes occurred which would affect the original classification.
3. Contractors will:
a. Provide rescue training and equipment support for confined space entries.
b. Ensure it's representatives on the CST are trained in confined space requirements. Each individual shall have attended a formal confined space course. If the person has not attended a formal confined space course, the contractor will ensure the person has adequate experience in confined space operations.
c. When requested, assist the safety manager in obtaining training for entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, and organizational rescue teams.
d. Assist in identification and selection of required PPE for organizational rescue teams.
e. Provide a list of all confined spaces, permit-required and non-permit, to the host the site safety manager.
g. Designate entry supervisors.
h. Evaluate confined spaces for flammable, explosive, or oxygen-enriched atmospheres when permitting entries.
i. Appoint a member to the CST.
j. When needed enroll all employees who may enter confined spaces in the respiratory protection program.
k. Provide local training on the use, calibration (user), and care of atmosphere testing and monitoring equipment. Certify employees, as required, to test confined spaces. If unable to support this requirement, the Site Safety Manager or CST can provide the training.
l. Train employees for confined space duties.
4. Confined Space Team (CST). The primary purpose of the CST is coordinating, developing, and administering confined space programs. The membership of the CST shall include representatives from each contractor and all safety personnel. The CST will:
a. Identify, evaluate spaces (see the attached Confined Space Job Safety Analysis), and classify all confined spaces. Certify non-permit confined spaces using the attached "Reclassify Confined Space Certification Form". Identification may be done by type for a large number of confined spaces, such as manholes, pits, and underground vaults.
b. Develop and provide a CST train-the-trainer program for confined space entry. If limited resources prohibit the CST from providing this program, the CST will identify acceptable external training sources.
c. Assist in developing local controls and procedures for confined space entries.
d. Develop the MEP. The MEP, a part of the overall written confined space program will serve as approval for non-permit entries having the same conditions and entry requirements when signed by representatives of each contractor. The MEP allows contractors to designate entry supervisors to issue entry permits. Reclassify Confined Space Certifications will not be issued when unexpected conditions exist that have not been anticipated or allowed for in the MEP, unless the condition can be eliminated or controlled. If hazardous conditions develop after entry that cannot be eliminated or controlled, the entry will be terminated, the certification revoked and the CST staffs will be contacted before proceeding.
e. Will track confined space entries to ensure the rescue team remains available. If the rescue become unavailable contact the entry supervisors to cancel the entries. Informs the rescue team of the locations of entry so they can quickly find the space if needed.
f. Permits will be retained for 1 year, and also filed in the employees (entrants) exposure records (1910.1020).
5. The Master Entry Plan (MEP) will:
a. Have the completed Confined Space Job Safety Analysis (see attachments) filed in the MEP.
b. Describe the acceptable entry conditions, including acceptable atmospheric conditions, under which permits may be issued.
c. Designate as many entry supervisors as needed for the organization.
d. Identify the types and locations of spaces to be entered.
e. List in the MEP the procedures to be used for entry.
f. Account for around-the-clock operations when appropriate.
g. Designate frequency and type of atmospheric monitoring.
h. List other controls required (e.g., lockout/tagout, ventilation).
i. Establish emergency rescue procedures for each permit-required confined space.
j. List the hazards of the confined spaces.
6. Confined Space Supervisor will:
a. Maintain a copy of the MEP.
b. Issue entry permits consistent with the MEP.
c. Revoke the permit and contact safety when any entry conditions are not consistent with the MEP.
d. Determine acceptable conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned.
e. Ensure a qualified person (trained in the operation of direct-reading oxygen, flammability, and toxicity monitoring equipment) evaluates and classifies the confined space.
f. Ensure workers are properly trained and qualified in safe operating and emergency procedures, use of protective equipment, and how to egress. Ensure workers who are ill or are on medication that may affect their ability to safely perform assigned tasks, are excused from the operation.
g. Brief workers on the hazards of entry, (See training outlines) i.e., chemicals that were in the tank, the effects of inhalation of vapors, and what safety and health hazards are inherent in cleaning or internal confined space operations, etc. (See the MSDS)
h. Inspect the work area, tools, and equipment to identify and correct hazards.
i. Ensure the availability and use of all protective clothing and other PPE necessary for safe entry.
j. Ensure respiratory equipment is in safe operating condition and personnel are trained to understand the proper procedures for use.
k. Ensure all valves are isolated, locked out, and blinded or blanked to prevent anything from being accidentally pumped into the confined space.
l. Ensure all electrical power sources and equipment meet safety requirements for the atmosphere in the confined space. Also ensure all electrical power is de-energized and locked out.
m. Establish emergency procedures to rescue employees incapacitated in the confined spaces. These will include:
(1). Ensuring the ready availability of rescue and safety-related equipment such as lifting or retrieval devices, respiratory equipment, and other necessary for the entry as determined by the permit system.
(2). Ensuring there are adequate attachment points outside the confined space for tying-off or otherwise securing retrieval lines for all authorized entrants.
(3). Providing an equivalent method for rescue when retrieval lines themselves may constitute an entanglement hazard or otherwise cannot be used.
(4). Determining the availability of a rescue team.. Notify the CST of the entry. The operation will be halted if for some reason the rescue team becomes unavailable.
(5). Ensuring the means (i.e., telephone, radio, etc.) for summoning the rescue team are operable, on hand, or easily accessible.
(6). If the rescue service become unavailable terminate the entry.
n. Be the last person to sign the permit after all conditions are met. If necessary, perform entrant or attendant duties when properly trained. Be permitted to transfer the duties of the entry supervisor to another qualified supervisor during the course of the entry operations and ensure that the new supervisor signs or initials the entry permit when the transfer is complete. If space on the permit is not adequate, maintain a list of names of workers as a separate document and attach them to the permit entry form. Ensure the entry permit is maintained at the site where the entry is planned.
o. Provide an attendant for each permit entry as required by this standard.
p. Provide appropriate vehicle and pedestrian guards, barriers, or other means to protect the entry party and attendants from local traffic hazards and to protect non-entering personnel from hazards arising from the confined space.
q. Determine and evaluate the source (i.e., removal of residue from the space, repair of leaking valve or pipe in the space, etc.) of any suspected atmospheric condition found at the time of entry. In case the severity of this hazard could increase while employees are in the space, conduct frequent or continous testing.
r. Evaluate worker exposure to hazardous chemicals by conducting tests to ensure exposure never exceeds the permissible limits.
s. Provide ventilation for the space. If ventilation fails to control the air hazard provide a NIOSH-approved respiratory protective equipment suitable for the exposure.
t. Revoke the entry permit, terminate the entry, and secure the site when becoming aware of a prohibited or unexpected condition.
7. Confined Space Entrants (See attached training outline) Will:
a. Fully understand all procedures, safeguards, hazards, emergency egress and rescue procedures associated with the entry.
b. Follow all safe work procedures required by supervisory.
c. Notify the entry supervisor when hazards exist that that have not been corrected.
d. Notify the entry supervisor if they are ill or on medication of any type.
8. Confined Space Attendants (See attached training outline) Will:
a. Maintain an accurate accounting of entrants (who and number) in the permit space.
b. Remain outside the permit space and not attempt rescue involving entry until the rescue team has been notified and assistance has arrived. Make rescue efforts by means of the lifeline until assistance arrives.
c. Maintain continuous communication with all authorized entrants within the permit space by voice, radio, telephone, visual observation, or other equally effective means. NOTE: If it is not possible for one attendant to maintain communications with each entrant because of the entrant's work station in the space, the supervisor will make other arrangements to ensure the attendant is continuously aware of the location and condition of any entrant who is out of direct communication range.
d. Have authority to order entrants to exit the confined space at the first indication of a non-permitted condition, an unexpected hazard, indication of a toxic exposure (e.g., unusual conduct by the entrants, signs and symptoms of exposure), or if a situation occurs outside the space that could pose a hazard to the entrants.
e. Know the procedure and have the means to summon immediate emergency assistance if needed.
f. Remain at the attendant's post and not leave for any reason (except self-preservation) unless replaced by an equally qualified individual. Order the entrants to exit the space if the attendant must leave and there is no replacement.
g. Keep unauthorized persons from entering the permit space.
Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!
