Confined Space Training

Permit-Required Confined Spaces

Title 8 Sections 5156-5159

Prsented by: Ben Elisondo

CSU / SETC Safety Training
 Confined Space Statistics

• Leading cause of occupational fatalities in this

country

• The Standard covers 240,000 workplaces

and 12.2 million workers

• Workers make 4.8 million entries/year

• Standard may prevent 85% of fatalities

and nearly 11,000 injuries
 Definition of a Confined Space
(must meet all three criteria)

• Limited means for entry or exit (manholes, vaults, &

pits)

• Large enough & so configured that an employee can

bodily enter and
perform assigned work

• Not designed
for continuous
occupancy
• Two types – Permit & Non-Permit Required Spaces
Definition of Permit-Required
Confined Spaces
A confined space that has one or more of the following
characteristics:

• Contains or has potential to contain a hazardous

atmosphere

• Potential for engulfment

• Internal configuration that can trap or asphyxiate

entrant

• Any other serious safety or health hazards (electrical,

hot work, drowning . . .)
What is a Hazardous Atmosphere?
• An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk
of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-
rescue, or acute illness resulting from the following:

– Flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10% of the LFL

– Combustible dust at a concentration that is > or =LFL

– Oxygen concentration < 19.5% or > 23.5%

– Any substance with concentration > PEL

– Any other atmospheric concentration that is IDLH

Permit-Required Spaces on Campus
• Electrical vaults: electrical hazards, low oxygen, &/or asbestos

• Sewer manholes: CO, low oxygen,

&/or toxic gases

• Storm drain manholes:

CO, low oxygen, &/or toxic gases
 Permit-Required Spaces on Campus (cont)

• Pool Pit: lack of oxygen, toxic gases,

&/or drowning

• Sewer Tanks: toxic gases, low oxygen,

drowning, &/or electrocution hazards

• Communication Vaults: low

oxygen, asbestos,
&/or electrical hazards
 Non-Permit Required Spaces
• Spaces that do not contain or, with respect to
atmospheric hazards, have the potential to
contain any hazard capable of causing death or
serious physical harm:
Utility closets
Below-grade trenches
Storage vaults
Utility subbasements
 Confined Spaces on Campus

• EH&S and PPM jointly determine which types of spaces

or specific spaces are defined as confined spaces

• All confined spaces on campus will be considered

“Permit Required” until pre-entry procedures determine
otherwise.

• Only the Entry Supervisor is authorized to downgrade

entry requirements.
 Confined Space Entry
Procedures
• Space Evaluation

• Alternate Entry Procedures

• Permit-Required Entry Procedures

 Space Evaluation
• Refer to Flow Chart
• Entry Supervisor must evaluate & authorize an entry
• This will determine if “Alternate Entry” or “Permit-Required”
• If the space is reclassified as an “Alternate Entry” then the
following conditions must exist:
• only hazard is the potential for a hazardous atmosphere; and
• potential hazard can be eliminated through continued forced
air ventilation; and
• previous & current gas tests must show above two conditions are true
 Alternate Entry Procedures

Procedure that may be used to enter a confined space if

the only hazard present in the space is atmospheric in
nature and:

– The atmospheric hazard can be controlled by

mechanical ventilation alone and;

– The permit space will not become immediately

dangerous to life and health (IDLH) if the
mechanical ventilation should fail.
 Alternate Entry Procedures (cont)
• Entry Supervisor ensures space has been properly classified
• Use guarding/cover/barrier to prevent
falls (when removing cover)
• Lock out/tag out all hazardous
energy sources
• Complete log
• Test for O2, flammable gases/vapors and potential toxic
air contaminants
• Set up ventilation (supply air taken from clean source)
• The Entrant will evacuate the confined space if he/she
becomes aware of an unrecognized hazard
 Permit Required Entry Procedures
• Entry Supervisor, Entry Attendant and Entrant
must participate
• Inspect and setup safety equipment
• Entry Supervisor establishes specific rescue
procedures
• Lock and tag out all hazardous sources of energy
• Use guarding If removing an entrance cover
• Sample and record air for hazardous contaminants
• Entry Supervisor completes Permit prior to entry
Permit Required Entry Procedures
(cont)
• Attendant verifies acceptable entry conditions
• Entrant wears retrieval equipment during entire operation
• Attendant continuously monitors atmosphere & records
readings with the portable gas detector
• Immediately evacuate space if safety equipment fails or
space becomes or has potential to become immediately
hazardous
• Upon completion, Entry Supervisor completes permit and
files
 Potential Confined
Space Hazards
• Engulfment
• Oxygen deficiency (19.5% or less)
• Oxygen enrichment (23.5% or higher)
• Flammable gases or vapors
• Combustible dusts
• Toxic substances
• IDLH atmospheres
• Physical hazards
 Monitoring Confined Space
Air Quality

• Prior to entering any confined space, prepare the gas detector

• Conduct a “bump test”. Breathe into the gas detector probe and
look for a decrease in oxygen concentration - should alarm
• Sample air quality by slightly removing lid or through hole in lid
before completely opening the space
• Monitor with probe slowly at different vertical heights
• Measure in the following order:
– Oxygen, LEL, H2S, CO
• Record results on the Confined Space Entry Permit Record Sheet
 Monitoring Confined Space
Air Quality (cont.)
• The gas detector must be on during the ENTIRE entry operation
• Will be regularly inspected by the Attendant.
• Record gas readings at a minimum of one hour intervals
• Cease entry operations and remove entry personnel if the
following concentrations are exceeded at any time:
– Oxygen reading less than 19.5% or greater than 22.5%
– Combustible gas reading greater than 9% LEL
– H2S reading greater than 9 ppm
– CO reading greater than 34 ppm
 Ventilating a Confined Space
• Set up one or more blowers to
provide adequate ventilation for
the space. Ventilation must be
forced draft discharge of clean air
into space (not exhaust of space)
• Ensure ventilation air supply is from clean source
• Allow enough time for blowers to clear the space
before entering.
• Ensure that the blowers remain on during the entire
entry procedure. If the blower fails, the Entrant must
leave the space immediately
Note: this applies to both “Permit Required” and
“Alternate Entry” procedures
 Types of Personal
Protective Equipment
• Protective clothing

• Welding apron/sleeves

• Respirators

• Gloves

• Safety glasses
 Retrieval Equipment
• Rescue harness (chest or full body)

• Rescue tripod

• Rope or cable (inspect for damage)

 Department Responsibilities
• EH&S
– Establish & update written program
– provide training
– review records & provide consultation

• PPM & Communication Services

– Ensure all involved employees receive training & follow
procedures
– provide and maintain equipment
– maintain records
Entry Supervisor Responsibilities

• Ensure all persons involved in a confined space entry are

properly trained

• Evaluate and classify the confined space prior to entry

• Complete the Confined Space Entry Permit (if required)

• Ensure canceled permits are properly filed

 Entrant Responsibilities
• Completed Confined Space training

• Must stay in constant contact with the Attendant (I.e.

sight, voice, or radio) during a Permit Required
Confined Space entry

• Use the appropriate safety equipment as specified on the

Entry Permit
Entry Attendant Responsibilities
• Completed Confined Space Training
• Obtain & install required safety equipment for Permit
Required Confined Space entries
• Monitor pedestrian barriers to protect entrant(s) from
external hazards
• Monitor the atmosphere during the entire entry operation
• Must remain in position until relieved by another trained
Attendant
• Ensure all lockout/tagout measures (if implemented)
remain in place
• Responsible for ordering an evacuation if a situation
develops that could endanger the Entrant
 Rescuer Responsibilities
• Understand the hazards of the space
• All rescues attempted by CSUN personnel will be Non-Entry
Rescues (i.e. rescuer will not enter the space at any time
during rescue)
• Retrieval equipment is required for all Permit Required vertical
entries greater than 5 feet
• Be certified in emergency first aid and CPR
• Entry Supervisor must determine how emergency personnel will
be notified
• Understand appropriate entry procedures
• Know how to use rescue equipment
• Practice confined space rescues at least annually
 Training
• All Campus employees who participate in Permit
Required or Alternate Entry Procedures including
Entrance Supervisors, Attendants, and Entrants, must
receive training in the requirements of this program

• All Campus employees who are designated as rescue

personnel must be trained in proper rescue techniques as
well as CPR and First Aid
 REMEMBER . . .
• Call EH&S if area is questionable
• 99% of entries are alternate entry
• The campus has changed over time, and is still
changing, so don’t rely on past history
• Use the decision flow chart each time!
• Only the Entry Supervisor may downgrade
• All rescues are non-entry
• Be safe!