Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.146
Presented by: Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance
Agency Inc.

• Permit Required Spaces - Definition
• Hazards and hazard control
• Permit system
• Entry procedure
• Emergency procedures

Confined Spaces:
• Are large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
• Have limited or restricted means of entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry); and
• Are not designed for human occupancy
In addition to the above, Permit Required Confined Spaces:
• Contain, or has the potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere;
• Contain a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;
• Have an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section; or
• Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard

Oxygen deficiency
– Room air contains approximately 20.9% oxygen
– Below 19.5% oxygen we can develop physical problems
– Oxygen deficiency can cause light headedness, nausea, and loss of coordination and concentration, and the ability to think and react normally: we can hallucinate, depriving us of our ability to recognize hazards and to escape from them (self rescue)
Oxygen deficiency can be caused by many things, including:
– Nitrogen or inert gas piped into the space
– Chemical processes, including rust
– Chemical evaporation or leakage
– Exhaust from internal combustion engines or other external sources
NEVER ENTER AN AREA WITH LESS THAN 19.5% OXYGEN CONTENT

– Oxygen concentration above 23.5% is called oxygen enrichment
– Oxygen enrichment causes all combustible materials to burn with explosive force that makes escape from a fire in a confined space doubtful
NEVER ENTER AN AREA WITH GREATER THAN 23.5% OXYGEN
- Use of oxygen to ventilate a space (which is never allowed)
- Leaking hose on a torch set
- Some chemical processes

• The lower flammable limit (LFL) is the minimum concentration of flammable vapor, mist, gas or dust mixed or suspended in air that will ignite. Technically, 100% of the LFL must be present to allow a fire or explosion.
• There must be 19.5% or greater oxygen content present in the area being sampled to get an accurate LFL meter reading
• Since there can be some variation in meter readings, we set a wide safety margin for acceptable LFL readings
NEVER ENTER AN AREA WITH GREATER THAN 10% LFL
• High LFL can be caused by many things including:
-Flammable chemicals
-Flammable material brought into the space for the project
-External processes that leak or seep into the space

• Some confined spaces can contain hazardous materials such as hydrogen sulfide (in sewers)
• Exposure to chemical vapor and/or gas and/or particulate above the
Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) can cause damage to your health and impair your ability to exit the confined space
• To determine what toxic or hazardous chemicals might be present we must know what chemicals were present in the space
• PEL exposure data is listed in the OSHA Standards and on Material
Safety Data Sheets
NEVER ENTER AN AREA WITH AN EXPOSURE FOR A TOXIC OR
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL GREATER THAN THE PEL (OR OTHER
MAXIMUM EXPOSURE NUMBER)
• A high PEL can be caused by many things including:
-Chemicals stored or used in the space
- External processes that leak or seep into the space

• All atmosphere hazards are detected and quantified by using direct reading meters: We always use a meter to check that the atmosphere is safe prior to space entry
• In addition, we continuously monitor the space throughout the entry
• We will look at the meter we use for permit confined space entry now
• Ventilation is occasionally used to improve the atmosphere.
Tips on ventilation are:
-Positive pressure ventilation is always more effective
-Deliver the fresh air as close as possible to the entrant
-Be sure the fan intake is located in clean air

• Engulfment occurs when a person is covered with a substance from a pipe, hopper, duct or other source of materials being added to a confined space
• Engulfment can suffocate a person, cause serious injury or make escape from a space impossible
NEVER ENTER A SPACE WITH ENGULFMENT HAZARDS THAT
HAVE NOT BEEN RENDERED SAFE
• An engulfment hazard can be caused by many things including:
-Connected pipe lines, ducts and hoppers
• Engulfment hazards are controlled by disconnecting, blanking or capping connecting pipes, ducts and hoppers

• There are often mechanical, hydraulic, thermal and electrical hazards in confined spaces
• These other hazards are generally controlled through standard lockout and tagout (LOTO) procedures: REFER TO
OUR FACILITY PROCEDURE ON LOTO
• Other hazards can be caused by many things including:
-Heating jackets, coils, etc.
-Mixers and agitators
-Moving equipment
-Electrical equipment
NEVER ENTER A SPACE WITH OTHER HAZARDS PRESENT

• Space entry and exit is difficult and slow, both for entrants and for rescuers
• Many of the hazards are difficult to see, feel or smell without using instruments
• Ventilation of confined spaces is poor unless supplemental mechanical ventilation is used

• The names of all involved individuals
• A list of steps taken to render the space safe
• Atmosphere readings
• The time that the permit expires
• Information needed for contacting the rescue team
• Isolate or make safe all hazards
• Use a meter to determine a safe atmosphere
• Provide access into space
• Have all equipment ready
• Notify the Rescue Service
• COMPLETE ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED ON THE PERMIT

• A permit is used to control all confined space entry
• All personnel who are involved in the entry must have current training and be authorized for their role
• Three types of responsible positions are involved in an entry and each has an equal decision in allowing the entry, not allowing the entry or cancelling it (if already in progress).
These positions are:
-The entry supervisor
-The entrant
-The attendant

• Entry Supervisor:
-Makes all arrangements
-Begins permit and oversees completion
-Contacts rescue service to alert them of the entry
-Supervises the entry, frequently visiting the site
-Returns completed permit to program administrator
• Entrant:
-Reviews the permit to assure proper completion and her/his agreement
-Follows all directions from the Attendant
• Attendant:
-Functions to assure safety
-Continuously evaluates external and internal hazards
-Is willing to terminate the entry for safety reasons
-Is ready to perform a non-entry rescue

• Immediately terminate the permit if:
-Any altered level of consciousness is detected in the entrant
(clumsiness, slurred speech, behavior or speech changes)
-An emergency is detected inside the space
-An emergency occurs outside the space
-Communication is lost
• Never enter a space to affect a rescue: practice non-entry rescue only
• Immediately summon the rescue service and the entry supervisor if any emergency condition is suspected
• Continue to attempt non-entry rescue and continue to provide fresh air until the rescue service arrives
• We will now discuss our rescue service

• Permit required confined spaces present many unique hazards: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THEM
• Control all hazards:
-Atmosphere
-Engulfment
-Other (mechanical, thermal,. Etc)
• Preparation saves lives: follow the permit system
• Every member of the team has a part to play: the supervisor, entrant and attendant must all agree on safety and must all agree on procedures

For more information regarding Permit Required Confined
Spaces , or other safety issues, please contact:
209-667-0995