Confined Space Facts
Over 60% of all confined space fatalities involve the would be rescuers.
A person is considered to have entered the confined space as soon as his/her head break the plane or the entry.
Entry program must include hazard identification, hazard control, and employee training.
Ventilation is the preferred method of protecting workers from exposure to atmospheric contaminants in the confined space.
Rescue/retrieval by means of a mechanical winching device shall be available in vertical type permit spaces over 5’ deep.
Atmospheric sampling must always be done prior to entering the space.
Standard Alarm Levels
Oxygen deficient - less than 19.5% by volume
Oxygen enriched - more than 23.5% by volume
Low explosive level - 10%
Hydrogen Sulfide - 10 PPM TWA (Time Weighed Average)
Carbon Monoxide - 35 PPM TWA (Time Weighed Average)
Definitions
Confined Space
- an enclosed space having the following characteristics:Has limited or restricted means of entry and exit
Is large enough for a person to enter
Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy
Is subject to the accumulation of toxic or flammable contaminants or has an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
Non-Permit Space - A confined space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.
Permit Space - An enclosed space having the following characteristics:Contains or has a known potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
Contains a material with the potential for engulfment of an entrant
Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be asphyxiated
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.
Entry Supervisor - Entry supervisor means the person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required by this part.
Attendant - Attendant means an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all attendant’s duties assigned in the employer’s permit space program.
IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
