This document discusses confined space entry and safety. It defines a confined space as a space large enough for entry, with limited means of entry/exit, not meant for continuous occupancy. Examples include boilers, sewers and bins. Hazards include oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, engulfment and process hazards. Proper entry procedures require isolating, ventilating and testing the atmosphere of the space, using permits and attendants to monitor entrants. Rescue procedures and emergency planning are also vital parts of safe confined space work.

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CONFINED
SPACE
ENTRY

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What is a Confined Space?
Is large enough and so configured
that an employee can enter bodily
and perform work;
Has limited or restricted means of
entry or exit;
Is not designed for continuous
human occupancy.
A space that:

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Examples of Confined Spaces:
Boilers
Furnaces
Sewers
Hoppers
Pipes
Ducts
Bins
Pits

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Potential Hazards in Confined Spaces
*Oxygen Deficiency
<19.5% or >23.5% oxygen
concentration
<18% or >23% (Ont)
<19.5% or >23% oxygen
concentration (Qc)
Combustibles (<10% of LEL)
Methane
Hydrogen
Acetylene
Propane
Gasoline fumes
Toxic Materials
Carbon Monoxide
Hydrogen Sulfide
Welding fumes
Corrosives
Electricity
Mechanical Hazards
Mixers
Crushers

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ENTRY
 The act by which a person intentionally
passes through an opening into a
permit required confined space.
 Any part of the body passing through
the opening is considered entry.

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Remember the First Rule of
Emergency Response:
I Am Going Home Tonight.

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Confined Space Entry
Definitions:
The entrant is the person who enters a confined space.
The attendant is the person who stays with the entrant
outside the confined space, and is responsible for assisting
the entrant in exiting the confined space, and calling for
emergency assistance when required.
The safety representative/competent person is the qualified
person who evaluates the hazards, prescribes required
equipment and precautions and issues the Confined Space
Entry Permit and is supported by the supervisor.

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Entrant Responsibilities
 To assure that the space has been adequately ventilated,
isolated, emptied, or otherwise made safe for entry.
 To immediately exit a space, without question, upon word of
the attendant, no matter what the reason.
 To follow all safety rules and procedures that apply to the job.
 To be familiar with the work to be performed and the
procedures that apply to the job.
 To use the appropriate PPE whenever necessary.

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Attendant Responsibilities
 To monitor entrants during the job and during entry & exit to help
insure their safety.
 The attendant may not abandon his post for any reason while personnel are in
the space unless relieved by another qualified attendant.
 To monitor atmospheric conditions in the space prior to and during
entry.
 To control access to the confined space.
 To summon emergency assistance as needed.
 To assess hazards in and around the space, and take action on the
same.
 To keep records of confined space work, such as air test results,
personnel entry/exit, etc.

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Supervisor Responsibilities
 To assure adequate protection is provided to the entrants by
verifying adequate lockout/tagout and that all hazards are
securely isolated.
 To support the attendant’s authority in controlling access to a
confined space.
 To verify that all personnel have exited prior to closing the
space.
 To assure that all personnel involved are aware of the
hazards associated with the space.
 To assure that rescue services are available prior to entry.

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Confined Space Entry - Hazards
Both animal and plant life
require oxygen to live. One of the
primary hazards of entering
confined spaces is oxygen
deficiency.
When oxygen is present in
concentrations less than *19.5%
the atmosphere is said to be
oxygen deficient.
O2
O2

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Confined Space Entry - Hazards
Oxygen can also be present
in concentrations that are
too high.
Oxygen in concentrations
greater than *23% is too
oxygen rich and can cause
combustible materials to
ignite very quickly.

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Confined Space Entry - Hazards
CO2
O2
Given a fixed amount of oxygen
as you would have in a confined
space, respiration of oxygen
causes carbon dioxide to
increase. When oxygen
decreases to less than *19.5%.
the atmosphere is said to be oxygen
deficient, putting occupants of
the confined space at risk of
losing consciousness and death.

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Confined Space Entry - Hazards
Processes which operate by the
principle of combustion use up
oxygen much faster than the
human respiration.
Products of combustion vary
with the fuel that is present and
the temperature of the combustion
reaction. Welding, burning natural
gas, propane, gasoline, and diesel
engines are examples of combustion
processes.
CO2
H20
NOx
CO
O2
fuel

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Why do so many fatalities result from
emergency rescues?
Are overcome by their emotions.
Take unnecessary chances.
Do not know the hazards involved.
Lack confined space rescue training.
Rescuers:

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IDLH
 IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH
 Any condition which poses an immediate threat to the health
of life on an entrant, or;
 Would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or;
 Would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided
from a permit space.
Bottom Line:
Confined Space Operations require specialized training and
equipment. Know your limitations!
Don’t make a bad situation worse by becoming a victim
yourself.

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Two Options for Entering
Confined Spaces:
Permit-required confined
space entry
Contains or has the
potential to contain a
hazardous atmosphere;
Contains a material that
has the potential for
engulfing an entrant;
Has an internal
configuration such that
an entrant could become
trapped or asphyxiated;
or
Contains any other
serious safety or health
hazard.
Non-permit confined
space entry
For non-hazardous
confined space work

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Confined Space Entry Procedure
 Isolate the space
 Ventilate the space
 Conduct Meeting
 Complete permit
 Test the atmosphere
 Enter the space

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Isolate the Space
from all hazards
 Close Valves
 Double block & bleed, or
 Blank flange
 Empty the Space
 Depressurize, vent & drain
 Lockout/Tagout Equipment
 Electrical sources
 Rotating/reciprocating parts
 Hazardous materials
 Clean residue from the space

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Ventilate the Space
 Use mechanical ventilation
 Fans
 Air horns
 Ventilate at the rate of at least four (4)
volumes per hour
 Larger spaces require more ventilation
 Make sure air supply is not contaminated
 Ventilation air supply must be from fresh air
uncontaminated with flammables, toxins, etc.

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Conduct a Briefing
 Entire crew must attend
 Attendants, entrants, entry supervisor
 Review hazards of entry and work
 Review PPE
 Review procedure for contacting rescue
 verify rescue available
 Complete permit

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Complete Entry Permit Form
 Permit must be correctly and completely filled out prior to entry.
 Permit must be activated by Entry Supervisor’s signature to be
valid.
 No entry is allowed without a valid permit.
 Permits are valid for up to 12 hours.
 When work is completed, permit and tailboard form should be
returned to safety.
 Cancelled permits must be kept on file for at least one year.

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Test the Atmosphere
 Check for Oxygen Content:
 At least *19.5% and less than 23.5%
 Check for Combustibles:
 Less than 10% of the LEL
 Check for Toxic Gasses:
 Most commonly carbon monoxide (PEL <35 ppm)
 or any other hazardous materials as determined by the use of the
space.
In this order:

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Hydrogen Sulfide
(heavier than air)
Carbon Monoxide
(same as air)
Methane
(lighter than air)
Atmosphere Testing Shall Be Performed:
 Prior to every entry when the space is vacant;
 After a 10 minute ventilation period (if ventilation is necessary);
 At least hourly for permit-required confined spaces.
 More frequently, if conditions or suspicions warrant.

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Confined Space Entry - Hazards
Not Recommended Recommended
If concentrations of materials are found to be at
harmful levels, the confined space must be
ventilated to remove them before entry.
Should the concentration
of contaminants remain
at harmful levels,
respirators may have to
be worn to assure a safe
air supply.
??

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Confined Space Entry
Means of emergency rescue
must be readily available
to the confined space
entry attendant for
emergency
extrication of
entrants.

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A means must be provided for both
safe normal entry or exit , and
emergency extrication. Tripods with
hoist, lifeline, and full body harness
are often used for emergency
extrication. Ladders may be used for
ordinary entry and exit.

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Confined Space
Entry
Place warning signs where
pedestrians can see them.
Signs must state the hazard
and the required action.
CAUTION
Opening in Ground
Keep Out !
Barriers to prevent passers-by and
the curious from falling into the
opening must be put in place.
Holes and openings must be closed
or guarded when not attended.

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Enter the Space and Proceed with work:
 An attendant shall be posted near the entrance for the duration of
the work. He shall be in constant communication with the entrants
while the job is in progress.
 The attendant shall maintain the permit for the duration of the work.
When the Job is Done:
 Remove all personnel, tools, and debris from the space.
 Close the space.
 Cancel the permit.
 Review the job with the host employer (hazards, problems, other
employers, etc.)

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So it might be a confined space,
but you went in anyway…..
Now What?

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Self-Rescue
Remember the signs of
Oxygen Starvation…..
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
If you begin to exhibit these symptoms…
Leave the area at once!

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Confined Space Hazards
Engulfment: Any substance that can cover a victim or a rescuer
must be treated as EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
•Woodchips
•Industrial Recycling
•Grain
Even “Settled” Materials Can Be Dangerous… A seemingly secure
surface on materials such as grain can conceal hollow pockets of air
called voids. Rescuer weight can cause the surface to collapse,
causing engulfment and possibly death.

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The hard fact about any confined
space emergency…
If the victim has been without oxygen
for more than 10 minutes, it isn’t a
rescue, it’s a recovery.

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Confined Space Entry - Summary
Confined space entry hazards can include:
- the presence of toxic substances
- insufficient oxygen, or too much oxygen
- engulfment
- presence of combustible gases and liquids
- process or equipment related hazards.
- conditions changing from nonhazardous
to hazardous.

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Confined Space Entry -Summary
Confined spaces are required to be labeled. Some spaces
may have been overlooked. Contact your safety representative
when in doubt. It is up to you to obey signs and to follow
permit procedures before entry.

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