Confined-space entry entrant

Safe work in a confined space requires teamwork. The confined space entry team is made up of the entry supervisor, the attendant, the entrant, and the rescue team. 

Station at least one attendant outside during entry and coordinate actions with contractors used to conduct rescue procedures. Establish a written permit system and review the effectiveness of the system annually. OSHA also requires training to ensure that employees involved in confined space work can perform their job functions safely. This training covers specific items for the authorized entrant, the attendant, and the entry supervisor. Training will cover the following authorized entrant responsibilities (1) hazards involved in confined space entry, (2) use of appropriate PPE for confined space entry, (3) communication policies with the attendant, (4) requirement to leave... 

This example clearly illustrates the reasoning and the logic behind OSHA s ensuring that the definition of confined "entry" (discussed in detail later) includes clear language defining what constitutes "entry"— that is, when any part of the entrant s body breaks the plane of an opening into the space, an entry has been made and is subject to the confined space entry regulations. 

Note In practice (in the real world of performing confined space entry operations), common routine often designates the entry supervisor as the "competent" or "qualified" person. The competent or qualified person is that entry supervisor who has had the appropriate training and experience and possesses the knowledge required to supervise, and bring about, correct confined space entries. An entry supervisor may also serve as an attendant or as an authorized entrant, as long as that person is trained and equipped as required by the confined space entry standard for each role he or she plays. Also, the duties of entry supervisor may be passed from one qualified individual to another qualified individual during the course of an entry operation. 

A permif sysfem for permif-required confined space entry is required by the confined space entry standard. An entry supervisor (qualified or competent person) must authorize entry, prepare and sign written permits, order corrective measures if necessary, and cancel permits when work is completed. Permits must be available to all permit space entrants at the time of entry and should extend only for the duration of the task. They must be retained for a year to facilitate review of the confined space program. 

To protect confined space entrants from potential hazards, OSHA developed a set of standards and directives for confined space entry. These standards are widely accepted as the national protocol, although some U.S. states have adopted their own standards related to confined spaces. (OSHA s regulations can be found in full at OSHA.gov 29 CFR 1910.146.)... 

Arguably, one of the most critical components of OSHA s confined space entry standards is code 1510 1910.146(1), which requires a confined space attendant. An attendant is the employee who remains outside the confined space and monitors the entrant, guards the space against unauthorized entry, warns the entrants of any unusual conditions and summons rescue personnel if needed. Specifically, an attendant s responsibilities include ... 

What is the best method for retrieval from a horizontal space, and is it required to monitor the entrants breathing zone (or as close as possible) as done in a vertical confined space entry ... 

Atmospheric testing, entry supervisor duties, attendants and entrants, retrieval systems, hazard identification, and entry procedures for non-permit confined spaces. 

A space that by design has limited openings for entry and exit, unfavorable natural ventilation, contains or produces dangerous air contaminants, and is not intended for continuous employee occupancy. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses the term permit-required confined space (permit space) to describe a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere contains a material that has the potential to engulf an entrant has walls that converge inward or floors that... 

Your employer must make siu e that you and yoru coworkers who will be in or near a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS), including for example, employees who are entry supervisors, attendants, authorized entrants, and rescue-service employees, acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe performance of these duties. 

This regulation requires that all permit-required spaces be identified, evaluated, and controlled. Procedures for entry must exist. Appropriate equipment and training for authorized entrants must be provided. Entry supervisors and attendants must be trained and present, and a written/signed entry permit should exist prior to entry. Trained and available rescue personnel shall (over one-half of the deaths in confined spaces are rescuers) be available. The space must have posted warning signs and barriers erected, and personal protective equipment and rescue equipment must be provided. 

Non-entry rescue. This method involves another worker but without having anyone else enter the confined space. For example, a winch line can be attached to the person in the confined space. Non-entry reseue is required unless a feasibility study was done proving that non-entry rescue will create a greater hazard to entrants. 

Extraordinary precautions are necessary for entry into a hazardous confined space due to the inherent danger. Special precautions include training of aU participants, assigning an outside attendant, maintaining a list of authorized entrants, assigning an entry supervisor, the provision of breathing air, and the use of retrieval systems. 

The name of the attendants (buddies) at the entry to the confined space. Suitably trained rescue personnel and equipment must be readily available to respond to the work site. Procedures for summoning the rescue services must be understood by all personnel who will enter the confined space. Communication procedures between entrants and attendants. 

When a worker senses danger in a confined space, he should remove himself from the space immediately whenever possible. Self-rescue is always the safest and fastest option. Entry rescue should be the last resort — to reiterate, confined space deaths happen often during rescue situations. Entry rescue workers must remember to use proper confined space and fall protection equipmenL like a full-body harness connected to a winch and davit system. If the rescue entrant worker is fully connected and becomes incapacitated, a non-entry rescue can be performed by raising him up remotely from above. 

A space has limited or restricted means of entry or exit if an entrant s ability to escape in an emergency would be hindered. The dimensions of a door and its location are factors in determining whether an entrant can easily escape however, the presence of a door does not in and of itself mean that the space is not a confined space. 

Are those having active roles in entry operations appropriately designated (for example, authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, and persons who test or monitor the atmosphere in a confined space) ... 

---