Hazards permit-required confined-space

Although these environments are often dangerous, your employees may have to work in them to inspect, clean, repair, or maintain equipment. Plus, some of these spaces can be considered to be the more hazardous permit-required confined spaces. ... 

Experts agree that one must assume the worst when entering a confined space because it may contain an unseen or unexpected hazard. To determine if confined spaces exist at a facility, they must first be identified. OSHA requires the use of permits to gain access to identified spaces that could be hazardous. Permit-required confined spaces are those that ... 

The contractors SSAHPs at Sites B, F, and K had general confined space provisions but lacked site-specific confined space procedures. For example, SSAHPs for the Site K contractor and subcontractor had written confined space entry programs, but the programs did not establish site-specific rescue procedures or identify the confined space hazards present on the site. The job hazard analyses for both programs failed to address site maintenance tasks that could involve confined space entry and hot work hazards. The programs also failed to identify the specific person or position responsible for supervising confined space entry procedures and the location of permit-required confined spaces on site. Interviews with both contractors indicated confusion about rescue procedures. 

Similarly, the Site B contractor s SSAHP provided corporate policy and procedures for permit-required confined space entry but lacked the site-specific detail necessary to describe the application of the corporate policy to procedures at the site. For example, the SSAHP did not identify specific components of the thermal treatment unit that presented confined space hazards, nor did it describe the specific circumstances or procedures that would require employee entry into these areas. In addition, the plan stated that the contractor would maintain an onsite employee confined space rescue team, but did not identify the members of this team. The SSAHP for Site F also contained a generic confined space entry program but did not identify the specific location of confined space hazards present at the site. 

Finally, PMCD work permits must be issued for all entries into chemical agent hazard areas and areas designated Permit Required Confined Spaces. Work permits, which must identify the individual and the work to be performed, are reviewed by operations maintenance and safety personnel and approved by the shift manager. Special monitoring may be required, and records of entries and monitoring must be kept for 30 years beyond the last day of employment or the closure date of the facility. 

There is another criterion called permit-required confined space such as an engvilfment, entrapment, or any other recognized serious safety or health hazards. 

The space that contains any other recognizable serious safety or health hazards is also a permit-required confined space. These hazards may be physical, electrical, mechanical, chemical, biological, radiation, temperature extremes, and structural hazards. 

Confined Space any space not intended for continuous human occupancy and having a limited means of egress. A permit-required confined space contains or has the potential for a hazardous atmosphere (toxic, flammable, or oxygen deficient) and/or engulfinent or entrapment hazards. Confined or enclosed spaces include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, process vessels, bins, boilers, ventilation or exhaust ducts, sewers, underground utility vaults, tunnels, pipelines, and open top spaces more than 4 feet in depth such as pits, tubs, vaults, and vessels. 

The second definition is a subset of the first. A permit-required confined space is a confined space with one or more of the following characteristics contains or may contain a hazardous atmosphere, contains a material with the potential for engulfment of an entrant (such as sawdust, sand, grain, or earth), has an internal configuration or shape such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated, or contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard. 

The criterion for permit-required confined space is that it contains or has a known potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, including chemicals, sludge, or sewage. Hazardous atmosphere means an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (escape unaided), injury, or acute illness. Examples of hazardous atmospheres are a flammable gas or vapor, airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LEL, unacceptable oxygen levels, or any atmospheric condition recognized as immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH). 

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... 

The employer must ensure that employees that will be in or near a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS), for example employees who have duties specified by the applicable sections of this standard (entiy supervisors, attendants, authorized entrants, and rescue-service employees) acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe performance of these duties. This training must result in an understanding of the hazards in the PRCS and the methods used to isolate, control, or in other ways protect employees from these hazards. 

If the controlling contractor classified a space as an Isolated-Hazard Confined Space (IHCS), Controlled-Atmosphere Confined Space (CASA), Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS), or Continuous System-Permit-Required Confined Space (CS-PRCS) then it must ... 

Prior to entry, one must evaluate a confined space for hazards. Based on the assessment, there must be a determination whether the space is a permit-required confined space. 

Many workplaces contain spaces that are considered confined because their configurations hinder the activities of employees who must enter, work in, and exit them. For example, employees who work in process vessels generally must squeeze in and out through narrow openings and perform their tasks while cramped or contorted. OSHA uses the term confined space to describe such spaces. In addition, there are many instances where employees who work in confined spaces face increased risk of exposure to serious hazards. In some cases, confinement itself poses an entrapment hazard. In other cases, confined space work keeps employees closer to hazards, such as asphyxiating atmospheres or the moving parts of machinery. OSHA uses the term permit-required confined space or permit space) to describe those spaces that both have confined space and have elements that pose health or safety hazards (see Rgure 25.4). 

With the promulgation of the Permit-Required Confined Space Entry standard (29 CER 1910.146), all these failures are addressed. Eirst, a written and signed permit is required prior to entry if the space contains or has the potential to contain a hazard-ons atmosphere (e.g., oxygen deficient, flanunable, or toxic) if it contains materials... 

Permit-required confined space program (permit space program)—The employer s overall program for controlling (and where appropriate, for protecting employees from) permit space hazards, and for regu-lahng employee entry into permit spaces. 

A final word on permit-required confined space rescue In the event of a rescue where the entrant is exposed to a hazardous material for which a Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) or other similar written information is required to be kept at the worksite, that MSDS or written information must be made available to the medical facility treating the exposed entrant. 

Is the permit-required confined space sufficiently isolated Have pedestrian, vehicle, or other necessary barriers been provided to protect entrants from external hazards ... 

Where applicable. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements in 29 CFR Part 1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces, shall be followed [17]. A hazardous work permit (HWP) is an instrument widely used in industry for ensuring safe working conditions, and its use is strongly recommended. The HWP should consider at least the following seven items before anyone enters a vessel or confined space ... 

The hazards must be identified before anyone enters a permit-required confined space. A written entry permit must be used for entry into a permit-required confined space. The permit outlines the conditions that make the entry safe. The permit must be posted at the space during an entry, and it must be signed by the entry supervisor. 

Welding or cutting in a confined space presents its own hazards. Follow permit-required confined space entry and rescue procedures. In addition ... 

A permit-required confined space (permit space) is a confined space that presents or has the potential for hazards related to ... 

Let us look at some of the dangers your employees may face in a permit-required confined space. Hazards in permit spaces can be separated into two categories physical hazards and atmospheric hazards. 

Since permit-required confined spaces contain hazards that are capable of causing death or serious physical harm to employees, entry into the space is not a one person job. It requires a team of individuals who work together and have the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the job safely. 

This is an exampie of a CONFiNED SPACE ENTRY PERMiT. The actuai entry permit you wiii use depends on the atmospheric and physicai hazards of that particuiar confined space. Aii reguiations for that permit are addressed in 29 CFR Part 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces for Generai industry Finai Ruie. 

Once an employer has determined a permit-required confined space exists, the employer is obligated by 1910.146(c)(2) to inform exposed employees either by posting a sign or other effective means. Since the purpose of (c)(2) is to provide the exposed employees with information to protect them from the hazard, the when an employee must be informed is before the next entry. 

Although not required to prepare a full written permit-required confined spaces program, an employer will want to document that the workplace has been assessed, that permit spaces have been identified, and outline the steps taken to deal with these spaces. This includes methods to train/inform employees about the hazards of the spaces and why they should not attempt to enter them. In the event of an OSHA inspection, the compliance officer will want to know how permit spaces are dealt with. Providing written documentation is one of the best methods to satisfy OSHA s request. 

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