Spaces 29 CFR

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). 

Improper entry into confined spaces has resulted in approximately 200 lives lost each year. Confined spaces are those of adequate size and shape to allow a person to enter but have limited openings for woikers to enter and exit and are not designed for continuous human occupancy. Examples of confined spaces are storage tanks, silos, pipelines, manholes, and underground utility vaults. 

Confined spaces should be thoroughly emptied of any corrosive or hazardous substances, such as acids or caustics, before entry. All lines to a confined space containing inert, toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials must have the valve off and blanked or disconnected and separated before entry. All impellers, agitators, or other moving parts and equipment inside confined spaces should be locked out and tagged out if they present a hazard. 

In evaluating confined space accidents in the past, certain scenarios seem to continuously occur. These included the failure to recognize an area as a confined space failure to test, evaluate, and monitor for hazardous atmospheres failure to train workers regarding safe entry and failure to establish rescue procedures. At times, either natural or mechanical ventilation is enough to make the space safe, which can be provided prior to confined space entry. Appropriate atmospheric tests must be performed to check for oxygen deficiency, explosive concentrations, and toxic substances in the confined space before entry. The atmosphere inside the confined space mnst be frequently tested or continuously monitored during the conduct of work. 

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 

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The OSHA regulation on permit-required confined spaces (29 CFR 1910.146), defines an IDLH condition as follows ... 

Confined spaces (29 CFR 1910.146 and Minnesota Rules 5207.0300-0304). For general industry, Minnesota OSHA has adopted the federal Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard, 29 CFR 1910.146. For the construction industry, Minnesota OSHA enforces Minnesota Rules 5207.0300-0304. 

Confined Space Enty Program, 29 CFR 1910.146, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Adrninistration, Jan. 14, 1993. 

Injuries and fatalities from asphyxiation are often associated with personnel entry into inerted equipment or enclosures. Guidance on safe procedures for confined space access are provided by OSHA (OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.146, Confined Space Entry Standard, 2000), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI, Z117.1, Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces, 2003), Hodson (Hodson, Safe Entry into Confined Spaces, Handbook of Chemical Health and Safety, American Chemical Society, 2001), and BP (BP, Hazards of Nitrogen and Catalyst Handling, 2003). OSHA has established 19.5 vol % as the minimum safe oxygen concentration for confined space entry without supplemental oxygen supply (see Table 23-18). Note that OSHA imposes a safe upper limit on 02 concentration of 23.5 vol % to protect against the enhanced flammability hazards associated with 02-enriched atmospheres. 

Fire extinguishers should be accessible in every laboratory, mechanical support area and electrical room. Several extinguishers may be warranted in a large space the OSHA rule is that one should not have to travel more than 75 feet (23 m) to reach an extinguisher (29 CFR 1910.157(d) 1 ). Fire extinguishers also must be located in the hallways outside the laboratory. The employer is responsible for proper selection and distribution of fire extinguishers on the advice of the safety officer. 

First, in 29 CFR 1910.146 a confined space is an enclosed area which (1) is large enough to enable an employee to enter and perform assigned work,... 

CFR 1915.12—Precautions and the order of testing before entering confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres [Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment]... 

Per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.269 (e) and the Maritime Safety Standard, any space, other than a confined space, that is enclosed by bulkheads and overhead that workers may find otherwise ordinary job hazards aggravated or intensified. These may include cargo holds, tanks, quarters, and machinery and boiler spaces. See also Confined Space. 

Rules for all shipyard employment are contained in 29 CFR 1915. They include provisions for shipbuilding, ship repairing, and ship breaking. Rules with regard to confined and enclosed spaces (Subpart B), scaffolds and ladders (Subpart E), and general working conditions (Subpart F) are encompassed. 

Ensure that sufficient space exists around the electrical equipment or circuit in order to maintain or operate it safely. Personnel must remove personal metal jewelry. De-energize electrical equipment before testing or repairing in accordance with the OSHA Lockout Tag-out Standard 29 CFR 1910.147. If de-energizing electrical equipment or circuits increases the potential of an electrical hazard or requires troubleshooting, use appropriate tools and PPE as mandated by the situation. 

OSHA standards address a variety of work and processes that occnr in residential to commercial constrnction. Constrnction employers must comply with these standards and related general industry standards that also apply. The OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910) and construction standards (29 CFR 1926) fnnction as separate standards with some notable differences. There exist differences between standards in the areas of fall protection, confined space, GFCI reqnirements, PPE, stairways and ladders, fire extinguishers, accident prevention signs/tags, eye wash stations, and illnmination reqnirements. 

Who Each employee who enters an enclosed space or who serves as an attendant must be trained in the hazards of enclosed-space entry, in enclosed-space entry procedures, and in enclosed-space rescue procedures. Also, while work is being performed in the enclosed space, an attendant with first-aid training must be immediately available outside the space. Training in accordance with general industry standard 29 CFR 1910.146 is required for employees that will enter any enclosed space that contains a hazardous atmosphere. 

CFR 1926.1217 Isolated hazard confined spaces—requirements for classification and accident prevention and protection. 

Note The construction industiy confined space regulation is only two paragraphs in length (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(6)) ... 

Review and knowledge of confined space entry procedures in 29 CFR 1910.146. 

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