Entry Into Confined Spaces . Entry supervisors will ensure workers enter a permit-required confined space ONLY after an approved entry permit has been obtained. The permit is an authorization and approval in writing that specifies the location and type of work to be done. It also certifies an evaluation of all existing hazards and the necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety and health of each worker.
Rescue procedures and equipment are of paramount importance. Entrants will have an understanding of confined space entry and rescue requirements, and the entry supervisor will sign the entry permit as the person responsible for the entry.
Each completed entry permit, including those that are canceled or revoked, shall be retained for 1 year by the organization responsible for the entry and be available for review. Additionally, completed permits must be filed in the entrants' exposure or medical records and maintained for 30 years. Any problems encountered during an entry operation shall be noted on the permit so necessary revisions can be made to the confined space program (Refer to Attachment 2 for instructions how to complete the Confined Space Entry Permit.)
Testing and Classification of Confined Spaces . Testing and classification of confined spaces will be done by a qualified safety person who is trained and certified according to the requirements in chapter 5. Initial testing shall be performed from outside the space. Testing into the interior of the space may be performed by drop tests or insertion of sample probes and hoses into the space. Testing will be performed in the sequence outlined in chapter 3.
Entry Into Known Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) Conditions Permit-Required Confined Spaces. Entry supervisors will not permit entry into and work in known IDLH spaces under normal operations. Entry supervisors will authorize entry only under the following circumstances:
Efforts are made to reduce the hazard within the confined space by isolation, ventilation, or other techniques to result in a lower classification confined space. If efforts to reduce the hazard to a lower classification confined space are unsuccessful, entry into known IDLH spaces is authorized only in cases of EXTREME EMERGENCY such as rescue efforts, emergency repairs, etc.
The permit for entry into known IDLH confined space is approved by the CST prior to space entry.
The permit authorizes entry into a specific confined space, for a specific purpose, by specific work crews, and for a work period, which will normally not exceed a single shift. If multiple shifts are necessary, either a new entry permit must be completed or the CST may approve a continuation of the initial permit with a new entry supervisor and crewmembers. Rescue team entry is exempt from this requirement.
Personnel entering confined spaces with known or estimated IDLH conditions will wear a positive pressure SCBA or a supplied-air respirator with escape SCBA. In addition, personnel will be equipped with a harness of a type suitable to permit extraction of the person (if it does not become a hindrance to the extraction), a lifeline securely attached to the harness, and such other necessary PPE suitable for the conditions and exposures.
Emergency rescue personnel, equipped with the above listed equipment and any additional equipment that may be necessary to effect a rescue, are stationed immediately outside the entry to the confined or enclosed space.
Communications by sight or voice or both are established and maintained between the person entering the space and attendant outside the space.
Only explosion-proof or intrinsically safe equipment is used where flammable or explosive atmospheres are present. (Reference NFPA 70, Article 504, Intrinsically Safe Systems, and Article 501, Class I Locations.)
A qualified safety official will be present during all known IDLH confined space entry and work periods. The safety official serves as a safety consultant to the person in charge of entry.
Entry Into Permit-Required Confined Spaces. Permit-required confined spaces contain atmospheres or conditions that are, or may reasonably be expected to become, hazardous (but are not IDLH). Flammables, toxic materials, or deviations of oxygen levels within a permit-required space may be due to the materials and conditions within the space or may be created by the work conducted in the space.
An entry permit for a permit-required confined space must be approved by the entry supervisor.
Permits, issued by an entry supervisor under a MEP, will permit entry into a specific confined space, for a specific purpose, by a specific work crew, for a period not to exceed a single shift or as determined jointly by the CST. Rescue team entry is exempt from this requirement.
Where contamination is caused by materials or conditions within the space, the entry supervisor will identify the cause or source of the contamination and remove it to the maximum degree possible by cleaning, ventilating, or other such treatments.
Where work within the space introduce (or have the potential to introduce) additional hazards within the space, the entry supervisor will ensure these hazardous conditions and operations are covered by the permit and take action to control the hazards and maintain safe conditions within the space.
The entry supervisor will provide ventilation to maintain the atmosphere within the space. If the ventilation does not keep the exposures below the limits then the employees will be provided with a NIOSH-approved respiratory protective equipment suitable for the exposure. The entry supervisor will contact the CST for assistance in selecting the appropriate respiratory protective equipment and other PPE as determined necessary to protect against skin contact.
Entry supervisors will ensure that only explosion proof or intrinsically safe equipment is used where flammable or explosive atmospheres are present. (Reference NFPA 70, Articles 504 and 501.)
Entry supervisors will ensure employees entering a permit-required confined space are suited with a harness and lifeline of a type suitable to permit extraction of the person (if it does not become a hindrance to the extraction) from the space. They will also ensure the lifeline is securely attached to the harness and adequate attachment points outside the confined space are available and used.
The entry supervisor will identify and notify, the organizational rescue team that the entry is in progress.
The entry supervisor will ensure an attendant is provided for all permit-required space entry and work. The entrants and attendant will establish and maintain communications. The attendant will know the rescue procedure and have the capability to contact the rescue team.
Non-Permit Confined Spaces: The entry supervisor may reclassify a permit-required confined space to a non-permit-confined space at the time of entry. The entry supervisor documents the basis for the reclassification on the attached "Reclassify Confined Space Certification Form," posts the form by the space, and files a copy in the MEP. Such reclassification would allow entry without a permit, without employees being suited with a harness and (or) a lifeline, and without an attendant, provided:
Testing is accomplished prior to entry with the results showing the space to be free of all hazards and remains free of hazards.
Effective ventilation is provided for the space or continuous air monitoring is conducted during the entry.
That during the work, the entrant does not perform any work, take tools or introduce material into the space that could themselves cause a hazard.
The certification is revoked whenever any test, monitoring instrument, or observation shows hazardous conditions are developing in the confined space. When this occurs, the entry supervisor/attendant will evacuate the space and prevent entry until an approved entry permit is issued.
The certification is revoked when any conditions on the certification are not followed or enforced.
Non-permit confined spaces shall be reviewed periodically, at least annually, to ensure conditions have not changed which could result in a potential for hazards and a change in confined space classification. A non-permit-confined space will be reevaluated any time a known change occurs or new construction is planned which may affect the space or the area surrounding the space.
Hot Work Permit. Whenever employees will perform hot riveting, welding, cutting or burning, or heating operations within a confined space, they will obtain a hot work permit (1926.350(j) - ANSI Z49.1-1967, para. 6.2.5) and post firewatchers for 30 minutes. If hazards may be introduced into the confined space due to the "hot work," the CST will be contacted to evaluate the potential hazards and recommend PPE/ventilation procedures. In addition, the workers will:
Inspect, test, operate, and maintain welding and cutting equipment such as hoses, connections, torches, etc., according to manufacturer instruction.
Not take compressed gas cylinders or gas manifolds used in welding and cutting operations into a confined space.
Turn off gas supplies at the cylinder or manifold outside the space when equipment is unattended or unused for substantial periods of time, such as at breaks or lunch periods. At shift changes (30 minutes or more) or overnight, turn off gas supplies and remove torches and hoses from the space. Immediately remove open-ended hoses from the space when torches or other devices are removed from the hose.
Not take electric arc units or machines into a confined space. Place such units outside the space.
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