Working in a confined space can be dangerous- and sometimes deadly. That's why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has requirements in place to protect workers. In this blog post, we'll take a look at what OSHA requires employers to do when it comes to confined spaces.
- 29 CFR Part 1926 - Confined Spaces in Construction
- 29 CFR 1910.146 - Permit-required confined spaces
- 29 CFR 1910.124(e) - General requirements for dipping and coating operations (specifically the 1910.124(e))
- 29 CFR 1910.252 - General requirements
- 29 CFR 1915.11 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart (Maritime)
- 29 CFR 1915.13 - Cleaning and other cold work (Maritime)
- 29 CFR 1915.14 - Hot Work (Maritime)
- 29 CFR 1915.15 - Maintenance of safe conditions
- 29 CFR 1915.16 - Warning signs and labels (Maritime)
Please follow the OSHA resources on this matter, click the link above.
There are many safety requirements that come with working in a confined space, as specified by the OSHA. Some of these requirements include having a designated supervisor who is responsible for overseeing the work being done in the confined space, as well as ensuring that all workers have the proper training and certification to work in such an environment. In addition, all workers must be provided with the proper safety equipment, such as respiratory protection and protective clothing, to help keep them safe while working in the confined space.
How to Classify
Confined spaces are often found in industrial workplaces and can pose serious safety hazards. OSHA has developed specific regulations to protect workers who must enter confined spaces.
To be classified as a confined space, an area must meet all three of the following criteria:
- It is large enough and so configured that a person can bodily enter and perform assigned work;
- It has limited or restricted means for entry or exit; and
- It is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Examples of confined spaces include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, process vessels, bins, silos, vats, hoppers, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, ductwork, pipelines, and sewers.
When workers must enter a confined space, employers must take steps to ensure their safety. This includes conducting a hazard assessment, providing training, and ensuring that the space is properly ventilated.
Employers must also provide workers with the proper personal protective equipment and monitor their activities while they are in the space.
Confined Space Entry Hazards
Working in a confined space can present many hazards to employees. OSHA requires that employers take steps to ensure the safety of workers who enter confined spaces.
Before workers enter a confined space, the employer must evaluate the space to determine if it is safe. If the space is not safe, the employer must take steps to make it safe.
When workers enter a confined space, they must wear proper personal protective equipment. They must also be aware of the hazards present in the space.
If the space is not safe, the employer must take steps to make it safe.
The employer/EHS team must also have a rescue plan in place in case workers become trapped in the confined space.
Working in a confined space can be dangerous. However, if the employer takes the proper precautions, the risks can be minimized.
Confined Space Entry Requirements
Working in confined spaces can be dangerous, and that’s why the OSHA has specific requirements for confined space entry. OSHA defines a confined space as a “space that is not designed for continuous occupancy and has limited or restricted means for entry or exit.”
Some examples of confined spaces include storage tanks, manholes, crawl spaces, and ductwork. Before entering a confined space, employers must first determine if the space is considered “permit-required.” This determination is based on several factors, including the presence of hazardous atmospheres, Engulfment hazards, and entrapment hazards.
If the confined space is determined to be “permit-required,” the employer must develop and implement a written permit-required confined space entry program. This program must include procedures for testing and monitoring the space, as well as for providing ventilation and personal protective equipment. CO gas testing can be required prior to entry of workers.
In addition, the employer/EHS officer must designate a “confined space entry supervisor” who is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the entry activities. The confined space entry supervisor must be trained in the hazards associated with confined spaces and the procedures for safely entering and working in them.
A standby man must be positioned in the entry while the workers are working inside the confined space. This is to get help in case an emergency occurs while the men are working.
Finally, only authorized employees who have been trained in the hazards and procedures associated with confined space entry are allowed to enter the space.
Entry Permit
Permitting is the most essential part of the process prior to entry of workers. Prior to entry of the workers, safety officer will prepare the permit. The officer then communicate the contents of the permit to all workers involved in the activity and post the document near or close to the work location. This process is to be done every time there is a work in a confined space.
Before allowing any employees to enter a confined space, the officer must first determine if the space is safe for entry. This includes assessing the space for potential hazards, such as air quality, temperature, and potential for flooding. If the employer determines that the space is safe for entry, they must then provide employees with the proper safety equipment, such as respiratory protection, protective clothing, and fall protection. Employees must also be trained on the proper procedures for safely entering and exiting the confined space.
If you will be working in a confined space, it is important to be aware of the potential hazards and to follow the proper safety procedures. By doing so, you can help to ensure your safety and the safety of your fellow workers.
Atmospheric Monitoring
OSHA requires that employers take measures to prevent and protect workers from entering confined spaces. A confined space is defined as a space that is not designed for continuous occupancy and has limited or restricted means of egress. Confined spaces can pose serious health and safety hazards to workers, including the risk of asphyxiation, entrapment, and exposure to harmful fumes or chemicals.
To ensure the safety of workers, OSHA has established a set of requirements that employers must follow when workers are present in confined spaces. These requirements include ensuring that the space is properly ventilated, providing workers with the proper safety equipment, and establishing an emergency plan in case of an accident.
By following these requirements, employers can help to create a safe working environment for their employees and prevent accidents from occurring.
Provision of Ventilation
Provision of ventilation is important to ensure that air is coming in and out inside for the workers to work comfortably and to have sufficient oxygen. The purpose of ventilation is to remove or dilute hazardous air contaminants so that workers can safely enter and work in the space.
There are two types of ventilation that can be used in confined spaces: natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation. Natural ventilation relies on air movement created by temperature differences and wind. Mechanical ventilation uses powered equipment to force air into or out of the space.
The amount of ventilation needed will depend on the type of work being done, the air contaminants present, and the size of the space. For example, if work is being done that creates dust, the space will need to be ventilated more than if the work is not creating dust.
OSHA has a number of specific requirements for ventilation in confined spaces, including that ventilation be used to keep air contaminants at or below permissible exposure limits, that ventilation be used to maintain the space at a safe temperature and humidity level, and that ventilation be used to keep the space well-lit.
Training for the Work
According to OSHA, a confined space is "a space that is substantially enclosed (i.e., limited in means of egress) and not designed for continuous human occupancy." Confined spaces can be found in many workplaces, such as in manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and transportation.
Some confined spaces, such as storage tanks and boilers, are considered "permit-required confined spaces" because they pose a greater risk to workers. These spaces must be evaluated before entry, and workers must be trained on the hazards and how to safely enter and work in the space.
Training is therefore required for the workers. The training can be done onsite by the safety officer or in-house instructor. The onsite training is the best and recommended approach in providing safety training to workers. Doing so, the course can be altered to meet the requirements of the workplace and behavior of the workers.
The training can be taken and completed in just 2-3 hours. At the end of the training, the workers will be given cards attesting that they've undergone confined space training.
Recordkeeping
There are many reasons for keeping records of confined space entry activities. First, it is a requirement of OSHA's standard for confined spaces, 29 CFR 1910.146. Second, having accurate and up-to-date records helps ensure that the space is safe for entry and that employees are properly trained and equipped for the job. Third, in the event of an incident, accurate records can help identify what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.
There are several things that should be included in a confined space entry record. First, the date, location, and purpose of the entry should be noted. Second, the names and job titles of all employees involved in the entry should be listed. Third, a description of the work to be done in the confined space should be included. Fourth, the results of any tests conducted to ensure the safety of the space should be recorded. Fifth, the names of any individuals who served as entry attendants or monitors should be listed. Sixth, the name and signature of the employee who served as the entry supervisor should be included.
Finally, any incident that occurred during the confined space entry should be fully documented. This includes a description of the incident, the names of any employees involved, and the corrective actions taken to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.
A Word for Employers
First, employers must assess the space to determine if it meets the definition of a confined space. If it does, the employer must then determine if the space is safe for workers to enter. If the space is not safe, the employer must take steps to make it safe or prevent workers from entering it.
If the employer decides that the space is safe for workers to enter, the employer must then develop a written confined space entry plan. This plan must detail the procedures that will be used to safely enter and exit the space, as well as the procedures that will be used to monitor workers who are in the space.
The employer must also provide training to workers who will be entering confined spaces. This training must cover the hazards that workers may face while in the space, as well as the procedures that they need to follow to safely enter and exit the space.
Finally, the employer must provide rescue and emergency services for workers who are in confined spaces. This may include having a rescue team on standby, as well as having the necessary equipment and training to safely rescue workers from confined spaces.
