ASSURANCE

Hazards of Confined Spaces

ASSURANCE

You Can’t Afford to Make a Mistake

• Every year people die in confined spaces.

• It doesn’t have to happen.

• Identify hazards.

• Establish safe entry procedures.

ASSURANCE

What is a confined space?

• Limited or restricted means of entry or exit.

• Unfavorable natural ventilation.

• Not designed for continuous human occupancy.

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Reasons for Entering a Confined Space

• Perform a necessary function.

• New construction.

• Unauthorized entry.

• Emergency Rescue.

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What are the hazards?

• Flammable atmospheres.

• Toxic atmospheres.

• Irritant (Corrosive) atmospheres.

• Asphyxiating atmospheres.

• General safety hazards.

• Physical hazards.

ASSURANCE

Flammable Atmospheres

• A concentration of a chemical in excess of 10 percent of its lower explosive limit, flammable, or combustible limit is considered hazardous.

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Toxic Atmospheres

• Any chemical exposure in excess of its exposure limit is considered hazardous.

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Irritant (Corrosive) Atmospheres

• Primary irritants exert no systemic toxic effects (effects the entire body).

• Secondary irritant is one that may produce systemic toxic effects in addition to surface irritation.

ASSURANCE

Asphyxiating Atmospheres

OXYGENLEVEL

SYMPTOMS

17% Increased breathing volume and acceleratedheartbeat.

14-16% Increased breathing volume, accelerated heartbeat,very poor muscular coordination, rapid fatigue, andintermittent repiration.

6-10% Nausea, vomiting, inability to perform, andunconsciousness.

Less than6%

Spasmatic breathing, convulsive movements, anddeath in minutes.

ASSURANCE

Asphyxiating Atmospheres

• The normal atmosphere is composed approximately of 20.9% oxygen, 78.1% nitrogen, and 1% argon with small amounts of various other gases.

• Reduction of oxygen in a confined space may be the result of either consumption or displacement.

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General Safety Hazards

• Mechanical

• Communication

• Entry and exit

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Physical Hazards

• Thermal effects

• Noise

• Vibration

• General Physical

ASSURANCE

How can confined space hazards by controlled?

• Identify all confined spaces.

• Identify existing and potential hazard(s) of each confined space.

• Develop and implement a written Confined Space Entry Program.

• Audit your program.

ASSURANCE

A written Confined Space Entry Program

• A permit form.

• A method for preventing unauthorized entry.

• Identification and evaluation of hazards.

• Specs for acceptable entry.

• Isolation of space (LOTO).

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Confined Space Entry Program….

• Elimination or control of atmospheric hazards.

• Protection against external hazards.

• Keeping conditions in the space acceptable throughout the entry.

• Rescue procedures.

• Employee training.

ASSURANCE

Confined Space Entry Program….

• Necessary equipment for entry.

• Atmospheric testing of the space.

• Designation of and duties of: entrants, attendants, entry supervisor, and atmospheric testers.

• Coordination of entries involving more than one employer.

ASSURANCE

Confined Space Entry Program….

• Informing contractors of the presence of confined spaces, their hazards, and your program for controlling the hazards.

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Duties of the Entrant

• Know hazards.

• Know equipment.

• Maintain communication with attendant.

• Alert attendant of changes.

• Exit!

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Duties of Attendant

• Know hazards, behavioral effects.

• Maintain counts and remain outside.

• Communicate and evacuate if necessary.

• Monitor inside and out.

• Summon rescue/perform non-entry rescue.

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Duties of Entry Supervisor

• Know the hazards.

• Verify entry permit is complete and conditions acceptable (before sign off).

• Terminate work if not acceptable.

• Verify rescue services.

• Monitor area.

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The Permit Form

• Written checklist of space and hazards.

• Completed by entry supervisor.

• Posted.

• Record of entry, should be kept for at least one year.

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Rescue Plan

• Determine methods of rescue for all identified spaces and establish written procedures.

• If outside agency - provide information and provide access.

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Training

• Train all employees on hazard awareness.

• Additional training for employees responsible for supervising, planning, entering, or participating in rescue operations.

• Document and offer annual refresher.

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Training Content

• Explanation of hazards (specific and general).

• PPE and safety equipment.

• Explanation of permit system and other requirements of entry.

• Emergency response procedures.

• Team responsibilities.

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Training Content

• Air contaminants & symptoms of overexposure.

• Operation of testing & communication equipment.

• Rescue drills and equipment.

• Evaluation of training.

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Atmospheric testing

• Before entry.

• Periodically or continuously as long as occupied.

• Retest after vacated.

• Record results on permit.

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Atmospheric testing order

• Oxygen

• Flammability

• Toxicity

ASSURANCE

TO DO LIST

• Identify Confined Spaces

• Evaluate Space Hazards

• Inform Employees

• Develop Written Program

• Design a Permit Form

ASSURANCE

TO DO LIST

• Purchase Equipment

• Plan for Rescue

• Provide Training

• Inform Contractors of Confined Spaces and Requirements for Entry