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Confined or
Enclosed Spaces
Recognizing the
Responsibilities
Course Goals
Improve awareness of potential confined space
hazards.
Describe confined spaces and hazards.
Understand responsibility in confined space
activities.
Why Attend?
Confined space accidents occur frequently.
Approximately 200 deaths each year.
Personal safety and health.
Government regulation.
Common Misconceptions
I dont smell or see anything funny. Its alright to enter.
Ill just stick my head in and take a look. Im not really entering
the space.
Everything checks out. We can go to work, and put the testing
equipment away.
Ill be able to hold my breath and get out if anything does
happen.
Accident Causes
Ignorance or overconfidence contribute to
many confined space accidents.
Definitions
Confined or enclosed
space
Permit - required confined
space
Attendant
Authorized entrant


Entry supervisor
Entry permit
Hazardous atmosphere
Immediately Dangerous
to Life or Health (IDLH)
As defined by the standard, we will discuss the following:

Designed for
Continuous
Occupancy
Not a
Confined
Space
Limit Means of
Entry/Exit
Large Enough
to Enter
Hazardous Atmosphere

Toxic
02 Enriched
02 Deficient
Fire/Explosion
Etc.
Engulfment


Dry/Wet
Product Traps
Occupant
Internal Configuration

Sloped Floors
Foot/Hand Traps
Entrapment
Etc.
Other Hazards
Electrical
Radiation
Noise
Vibration
Moving Parts
Heat/Cold
Poor
Communication
Non-permit Confined Space
Classifying Confined Spaces
Permit-required Confined Space
No No
No
No
No

No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Attendant
An authorized individual stationed outside of a
confined space, who has the responsibility of
observing the authorized entrants.
Authorized Entrant
An employee authorized by the employer to
enter a confined space, to work in a confined
space, and who has received appropriate
training to perform assigned duties under the
entry permit program.
Entry Supervisor
The person responsible for determining if
acceptable entry conditions are present, for
authorizing entry, for overseeing entry
operations and for terminating entry as required.
Entry
The act by which a person intentionally passes
through an opening into a confined space.
Entrant is considered to have entered as soon
as any part of the entrants body breaks the
plane of an opening into the space.
Entry Permit
The printed document that is provided to allow
and control entry into a confined space.
Hazardous Atmosphere
An atmosphere which exposes an employee to
a risk of death or incapacitation, injury or acute
illness.
Immediately Dangerous to Life
of Health (IDLH)
IDLH indicates any condition which possesses
an immediate threat of loss of life.
Entrant Responsibilities
An entrant must:
know the hazards which may be faced during entry.
recognize the signs and symptoms of exposure to a hazard.
understand the consequences of exposure to a hazard.
maintain contact with the attendant.
notify the attendant when the entrant self-initiates evacuation.
be aware of PPE such as retrieval lines, respirators or clothing, needed
for safe entry and exit.
use PPE properly.
protect themselves from external hazards.
perform no other duties that interfere with primary duty.

Attendant Responsibilities
An attendant must:
maintain an accurate count of all persons in the space.
recognize potential confined space hazards and monitor activities
inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe for entrants to
remain in the space.
maintain effective and continuous communication with authorized
entrants during entry.
summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as the
attendant determines that authorized entrants need to escape from
permit hazards.
have first aid and CPR certification.
Entry Supervisor
Responsibilities
An entry supervisor must:
determine that the entry permit contains the proper
information before authorizing or allowing entry.
determine at appropriate intervals whenever acceptable entry
conditions are not present.
cancel the entry authorization and terminate entry whenever
acceptable entry conditions are not present.
take the necessary measures for conducting an entry
operation such as closing off a confined space and cancel
the permit, once the work authorized by the permit has been
completed.
Possible Dangers
Oxygen deficiency
Combustible / flammable / explosive
atmospheres.
Toxic gases or vapors
Physical hazards
Corrosive chemicals
Biologicals
Unknowns
How Hazards Occur
Previously stored products.
Unexplained leaks / spills.
Chemical reactions.
Operations accomplished within space.
Inerting with non-flammable products.
Chemical Exposure
You can be adversely exposed to a harmful chemical through
several routes of entry into the body including:
eyes / skin contact
absorption
inhalation
ingestion
injection
Harmful effects may not show up until several hours after a
single exposure, others can be immediate.
Medical treatment should be obtained as soon as possible.
Review of MSDS allows prevention of toxic exposure.
Physical Hazards
Evaluation of a confined space must consider
the following potential hazards:
temperature extremes
noise
slick / wet surfaces
falling / sharp objects.
Effects of Oxygen
15-19% = Decrease ability to work strenuously
12-14% = Respiration increases, pulse rises, impaired coordination,
perception, judgement.
10-12% = Respiration further impaired, lips turn blue.
8-10% = Mental failure, fainting, unconsciousness, ashen face, nausea
and vomiting
6-8% @ > 8 min = 100 % fatal
4-6% = Coma in 40 seconds, convulsions, respiration ceases, death.

Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide
The following is expressed in parts per million
10 Permissible exposure limit 8 hrs.
50-100 Mild eye and respiratory
irritation 1 hr.
200-300 Marked eye and respiratory
irritation 1 hr.
500-700 Unconsciousness or death 30-60 min.
1000 and up Unconsciousness or death minutes
Space Large
Enough to
Enter
Limited
Means of
Entry/Exit
Designed
for
Continuous
Occupancy
Hazardous
Atmoshere
Engulfment Internal
Configuration
Other
AHU #s 1-6 North Section
Mechanical Room
Tight Space Electrically -
driven moving
parts (fan)
Sewage Ejection Pit, North
Section Mechanical Room
Methane,
hydrogen sulfide,
oxygen deficiency
Sewage Pit Not to be
entered by
Personnel
Permit-required
Boiler Condensate Return Pit,
South Basement Mechanical
Room
Water Pit Permit-required
Boilers, South Basement
Mechanical Room
Natural gas,
steam, dust
Tight spaces Permit-required
Water Tower, North 2 Water Tight spaces,
electrically-
driven moving
parts (fan)
Permit-required
Cooling Tower,
North 2
Water Tight space,
electrically-
driven moving
parts (fan)
Permit-required
Confined Space Hazard Assessment
Monitoring
Before employees enter any confined space, the
internal atmosphere must be tested with a
calibrated direct - reading instrument, for oxygen
content, flammable gases, vapors and toxic air
containment. Employees or their authorized
representatives must be given the opportunity to
observe the pre-entry testing, and any subsequent
testing of the space.
Testing
Test BEFORE entering the space.
Test at different levels.
Test for:
oxygen content
flammable or explosive
substances.
Toxic gases or vapors.
Test Before and During work where
the atmosphere may change.
Some examples are:
welding
drilling
sludge removal
cleaning with solvents
Testing
When testing the atmosphere of a confined space, it is necessary to test all
areas (top, middle, bottom) of a confined space.
Some gases or vapors are heavier than air and will settle to the bottom of a
confined space.
Some gases are lighter than air and will be found around the top of a confined
space.
If testing reveals oxygen deficiency, or the presence of toxic gases or vapors,
the space must be ventilated and re-tested before workers enter.
Never trust your senses to determine if the air in a confined space is safe.
You can not see or smell many toxic gases or vapors, nor can you determine
the level of oxygen present.
The atmosphere shall be tested with an instrument capable of sounding an
audible alarm.
Testing
Entry shall not be allowed or shall be voided if:
A flammable vapor or gas greater than 10% of the
LEL is present.
An airborne combustible dust at a concentration that
obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet exists.
An oxygen concentration below 19.5% or above
23.5%.
Permit System
The employer shall prepare a permit in a
standardized format through which the employer
identifies all conditions which must be evaluated
to ensure safe entry.
Lets review the permit.
Ventilation
Ventilation by a blower or fan may
be necessary to remove harmful
gases or vapors from a confined
space. The method and equipment
chosen are dependent upon:
The size of the confined space
openings.
The gases to be exhausted.
The source of make-up air.
When air is added to the space this
is positive ventilation; when air is
removed, it is termed negative
ventilation.
Ventilation
Under certain conditions where flammable gases or vapors have
displaced the oxygen level, but are too rich to burn forced air
ventilation may dilute them until they are within the explosive
range.
If inert gases are used in the confined space, the space should
be well ventilated and re-tested before a worker may enter.
A common method of ventilation requires a long hose. One end
of the hose is attached to a fan and the other lowered into a
manhole or opening.
Never use pure oxygen to ventilate a confined space. Ventilate
with fresh air from a clean source.
Ventilation
If work inside the space could generate
flammable vapors or produce an oxygen-
deficient or hazardous atmosphere, continuous
forced air ventilation must be provided and
monitored.
No internal combustion pumps, generators, or blowers can be
used in any confined space.
When setting up to enter a confined space, make sure that
the location of this type of equipment will not allow carbon
monoxide to enter the space.
Communication
Contact between the entrant and the attendant is extremely
important and constant communication must be maintained.
Communication may be accomplished by:
Sight
Verbal
Radio
Rope
Hand signals

Communications must be identified, in place and operable for
emergency purposes.

Personal Protective
Equipment
For most confined spaces, the minimum PPE required is safety
glasses, safety shoes, and hard hats.
Additional PPE will be required as defined by the hazards that
may be encountered in the confined space.
Gloves
Protective clothing
Hearing protection
Respirators
Goggles / face shield
Needed Equipment
Precautionary Equipment
Warning signs
Barricades and pylons
Portable lighting (preferably low voltage)
Fire extinguishers
Equipment
Lighting and electrical equipment
Low-voltage (12 volt) lighting is preferred inside confined
space
All other lighting sources must be protected by an approved
ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
Lighting and tools should be on separate circuits with
GFCIs
Transformers, GFCIs, and disconnects located outside the
confined space
All electrical tools used inside the confined space must use
a GFCI.
Safety Equipment
Safety harness and lifeline
A safety harness and lifeline
must be worn by all personnel
entering a permit space.
Where the entrance is too
restricted to allow removal of a
person equipped with a safety
harness, use a shoulder type
or wrist harness.
When making a vertical entry
into a permit space which is 6
feet deep or more, fall
protection is required.
Safety Equipment
Maintain safety equipment in top working order:
Always inspect equipment prior to use.
Report any defects or malfunctions to your
supervisor immediately.
Never wear or use defective equipment.
Ladders
When a ladder is needed for entry into the
confined space, they shall be secured and shall
not be removed while anyone is inside the
confined space.
Welding and Burning
Welding and burning is referred to as hot work.
Hot work means any operation capable of
providing a source of ignition, such as welding,
cutting, burning , or heating.
Any hot work inside a confined space will result
in the space becoming a permit-required
confined space.
Welding and Burning
When welding or burning in a confined space check:
Hose connections for leaks
Hoses are removed from the space at the end of the work
shift, or any time entrants leave the space.
Welding machines and gas cylinders are outside the space.
All electric and gas supplies are shut off and equipment
removed from the confined space when operations are
suspended.
All welding and burning equipment have shutoff valves inside
the space and that the attendant can quickly secure gas and
/or electric supply outside the space.
Isolation
Isolation is the process where a confined space is removed from
service and completely protected against any release of energy
and /or material.
Isolation is achieved by bringing any energy source to zero.
Sources of energy include:
chemical
electrical
pneumatic
mechanical
hydraulic
Equipment may have many sources of energy.
Isolation
Lock and Tag Out all sources of energy.
De-energizing electrical sources, preferably at
disconnect switches remote from the equipment.
Blanking and bleeding create an absolute closure of
a pipe, line or duct by fastening a solid plate that
completely covers the opening.
Securing mechanical moving parts within the
confined space with latches, chains, chocks, blocks
or other devices.
Warning Signs of Exposure
(To Hazardous Substances)
Shallow or rapid breathing
Dry throat or cough
Intoxicated feeling
Blurred vision
Chest pains
Feeling disoriented
Loss of coordination
Weakness
Skin itching or rash
How to Respond
If someone in a confined space signals for help or
becomes unconscious:
Call for help and evacuate employees from the area.
Continue running ventilation equipment if required for the
space.
Remove victim using the rescue equipment, rather than
entering space.
Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Isolate the area until the cause of the accident is identified
and corrected.
General Safety Practices
Never enter a confined space if you are not authorized to do so.
Get out if you feel dizzy, light headed or sick.
Report any hazardous conditions or injuries.
Never remove respirators while working in a confined space.
Dont smoke in confined spaces.
Stay alert at all times.
Concentrate on the job you are doing at all times.
Respect and handle equipment properly.
Ten Basic Rules for Confined
Space Entry
Planning sessions by qualified persons
Training the personnel
Testing of atmosphere
Continuous monitoring of atmosphere
Standby people / communication
Entry permit
Ventilation
Tools and equipment
Lockout / Tag-out
Rescue plans
Rescue
Person for safety watch
Secondary observer
Written plan
Safety signals
Communication with outside
Remember, 50% of deaths during rescues happen
to the rescuer.
Rescue Team
The employer shall have either an in-plant
rescue team or an arrangement under which an
outside rescue team will respond to a request for
rescue service.
Rescue Plan
A rescue plan must be developed and reviewed
by the entry supervisor, attendant, and the
entrant or his / her authorized representative
prior to entry. The plan should include:
Who to call
How to call
How personnel are to be removed from the permit space
in case of an emergency.
In-plant Rescue
When using in-plant rescue
services:
Personnel assigned to an in-plant
rescue team are provided with and
trained to properly use required
PPE.
The in-plant rescue team is
trained to perform the assigned
rescue functions and has received
the training required for authorized
entrants.
Practice at least once every
twelve months.
FA and CPR certified (at least one
member of the team.)
Outside Rescue Team
Rescuers must be aware of the
hazards they may confront when
called upon to perform rescues.
Must be adequately trained and
equipped to perform rescues of the
type needed.
Rescuers must be at such a
distance to respond in a timely
manner.