Confined Space Entry

General Background:

Over 1 1/2 million workers enter confined spaces on an annual basis. Serious injury or death in a confined space can be the result of asphyxiation, engulfment, electric shock, falls, and heat stress. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 85 percent of these accidents can be prevented if proper safety precautions at job sites are initiated. This poses a serious problem for exposed workers and their employer. The OSHA Confined Space Standard establishes uniform requirements to ensure that the hazards of confined spaces in U.S. workplaces are evaluated, safety procedures implemented, and that the proper hazard information is transmitted to all affected workers.

The following course outline is designed to make employees aware of the hazards associated with confined space entry as well as a means to control those hazards.

Definitions

Conditions that define a confined space
Conditions that characterize a “Permit Required Confined Space”
Personnel and roles and lines of responsibilities

Hazard Identification

Physical hazards that may be present in a confined space
Atmospheric hazards that must be tested for
Activities or situations that may result in a hazardous environment
Classifying a confined space as a permit required based on atmospheric conditions

Hazard Control

Methods for controlling physical hazards
Correct methods for using air ventilation
Classifying a confined space based on ability to eliminate or control hazards

Safety Equipment

Types of respirators entrants should use in a permit required Confined space
Reason for using a body harness
Characteristics of tools entrants should use in a permit required confined space

Air monitoring equipment

V The Entry Permit

Information contained the permit
Importance as a reference for the entire confined space entry process

VI Team Responsibilities during an entry

Entry Supervisor
Authorized Attendant Authorized Entrant
Authorized entrant