Confined Spaces WISHA Part Two

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Confined Spaces Part 2
An Overview of the WISHA Confined Spaces
Standard
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Purpose of This Module

• This two-part module provides basic information
  for employers about the hazards of confined
  spaces, how to control these hazards and what
  WISHA requirements apply when employees enter
  confined spaces.
• Some employers may elect to contract out
  confined space work. In those cases, employers
  are obligated to fully inform contractors of the
  confined space hazards at their facilities.
• This overview does not replace the confined
  spaces standard. For the complete WISHA confined
  space rule requirements, see Confined Spaces
  Chapter 296-62 Part M

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Confined Spaces Overview
Part 2 of this overview will cover the following
Confined space entry procedures,
Employee training needs,
Confined space worker duties,
Emergency and rescue services.
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Entry into a Confined Space
How is entry into a confined space classified?
Written Permit System required for any high
hazard entry
Alternate Entry Procedures allowed for
controlled atmospheric hazards only
No Permit allowed only if all hazards are
eliminated
Hazards must be determined before entering a
confined space.
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Confined Space Entry Procedures
What are alternate entry procedures?
If the only hazard is atmospheric (toxic gas or
oxygen deficiency) and it is controlled by
ventilation, then you may use less restrictive
alternate entry procedures.
These procedures have fewer requirements no
written permit system is required.
Dont assume that the only hazard is atmospheric
without investigation and reliable information.
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Confined Space Entry Procedures
What are alternate entry requirements?
Employees must be trained on confined space
hazards, The atmosphere in the confined space
must be tested before and during
entry, Continuous ventilation must be used, If
a hazardous atmosphere is detected, or
ventilation stops, the space must be promptly
exited.
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Confined Space Entry Procedures

• The Importance of Air Monitoring

Air monitoring is required whenever there is a
possibility of hazardous atmospheres. Atmospheric
conditions can change quickly in a confined
space. A portable gas monitor with an alarm
should be used by the person entering the
confined space and checked frequently.
Confined space gas monitor
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Confined Space Entry Procedures

• Ventilation of Confined Spaces

Fresh air blowers or exhaust fans are typically
used.
Blower or fan should not be undersized.
A blower intake must be placed in an area of
clean air.
Dont place a blower intake near a running engine!
Exhaust ventilation must be used when welding or
using chemicals in a confined space.
Watch out for pockets of unventilated
contaminated air.
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Confined Spaces Entry Procedures
What Affects Your Options

• If the atmosphere cant be controlled or there
  are other uncontrolled hazards, you must use the
  written permit system for entry into a confined
  space.
• If you are unsure about the hazards, you must
  assume a high hazard and use a written permit
  system for entry.
• Only if you are sure there are no hazardous
  atmospheres or other hazards, can you avoid the
  required procedures for entry.

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Written Permit System

• What is required in a written permit system?

A written permit for each entry Extensive
employee training Employee assigned
duties
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The Written Permit
The permit states what is done and who does it
Describes each individuals roles and
responsibilities,
Specifies safety equipment and respiratory
protection,
Tells how long the job will take,
States hazards found in the space.
For a sample permit, click here
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The Written Permit
The written permit also includes the following

• Methods used to control the hazards

• Acceptable entry conditions

• Necessary equipment including PPE

• Air monitoring testing results

• Communication procedures

• Name and telephone of the rescue service

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Respiratory Protection

• Respirators may be required to enter a confined
  space safely

Respirators must be worn to enter a space with an
oxygen deficiency or toxic chemical levels above
the PEL.
A supplied air respirator is required for oxygen
deficiency or toxic chemical levels that are
immediately dangerous to life or health.
A respirator that does not supply fresh air is
not recommended for use in a confined space.
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Respiratory Protection
Employees who use respirators
Employees must have complete training on the
proper use of these respirators.
Employees must also be medically evaluated to
make sure they can safely wear these respirators.
To see complete requirements for respirator use,
click here.
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Employee Training
General Requirements
Train before assigning duties
Train before changing duties
Train whenever operations present a new hazard
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Employee Training
General Requirements
Retrain whenever there is reason to believe

• There are deviations from the established
  procedures,

• There are inadequacies in the employees
  knowledge of procedures.

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Employee Training
General Requirements
Training must establish proficiency.
The employer must certify that this training has
been done and meets the confined space
regulations.
Confined space training
Training must be done by qualified knowledgeable
trainers. Use professional trainers as needed.
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Designated Jobs

• Any permit-required confined space entry has
  designated jobs for employees

Entrant person who actually goes into the
confined space Attendant person watching the
entrant Entry Supervisor supervises the
operation
Each position requires specific training and
assigned duties.
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Permit System Job Duties
Entrants Knowledge and Duties
Knows and understand the hazards in the space,
Knows and uses equipment properly,
Is able to communicate with the attendant.
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Permit System Job Duties
Entrants Knowledge and Duties
Knows what the acceptable entry conditions for
the space are,
Knows how to contact the attendant if conditions
become unacceptable,
Exits the space when ordered, when alarm sounds,
or when dangerous situation is noted.
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Permit System Job Duties
Attendants Knowledge and Duties
Knows and understands the hazards in the space,
Knows the behavioral effects from exposures to
hazards in the space,
Knows and tracks who is in the space at all times,
Warns away an unauthorized person who gets near
or enters the space,
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Permit System Job Duties
Attendants Knowledge and Duties
Stays outside the confined space at all times and
monitors activity constantly,
Communicates with entrants to monitor conditions
and knows when to order an evacuation,
Knows how and when to summon emergency help and
does not enter space to rescue,
Knows how to do non-entry rescues.
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Permit System Job Duties
Entry Supervisor Knowledge and Duties
Knows the hazards in the confined space,
Checks the permit procedures,
Terminates or cancels the permits as needed,
Verifies that rescue services are available,
Removes any unauthorized person from the space.
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Rescue in a Confined Space

• Confined space rescue is very dangerous

60 of all confined space fatalities are would-be
rescuers. Rescuers often enter a confined space
without thinking about the hazards. Rescues
cannot be done without proper equipment and
training. Not all fire departments can do
confined space rescuing.
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Rescue Services
Using Outside Services
Carefully evaluate the prospective services
ability to perform as needed.
Many fire departments are not trained or not
available to do confined space rescue. Check
with them first.
Tell the service about the hazards inside the
space.
Let the service practice mock rescues in the
confined space.
For further information on evaluating a rescue
service, click here.
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Rescue Services
Using In-house Service

• A serious and expensive decision

• Air-supplying respirators are usually needed

• Rescue team must be trained on confined space
  rescues

• Rescue team must also know first aid CPR

• Rescue team must practice rescues yearly

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Non-entry Rescue
What is a non-entry rescue?
Non-entry rescue is retrieving a person out of a
confined space without going into the space.
Entrants must wear full body harnesses with a
retrieval line attached. Best suited for manholes
and tanks and cannot be used in every situation.
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Non-entry Rescue
Non-Entry Rescue Equipment
It is usually impossible to pull a person out of
a confined space unassisted.
A retrieval line is attached to a mechanical
device or a fixed anchor point outside the space.
The mechanical device must be capable of lifting
a person from a 5-foot deep space. Special
rescue tripods are available.
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Additional Information

• More information is available on WISHA webpage

This presentation is just an overview and does
not cover all requirements. For more information
on how to put together a confined space program
for your workplace, go to
http//www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/publications/App/Docum
ent/ConfSpac.doc For additional assistance, you
can call one of our consultants. Click below for
local L I office locations http//www.lni.wa.go
v/wisha/consultation/regional_consultants.htm
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Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 1
When is a written permit system required to enter
a confined space?

1. Anytime you enter a confined space
2. When the hazards are not all eliminated
3. When a hazardous atmosphere is detected
4. When the confined space cant be ventilated

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Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 2
Which of the following is not a duty of an
attendant?

1. Constantly monitors the confined space
2. Keeps in communication with the entrant
3. Enters the confined space to rescue an entrant
   who has collapsed
4. Summons help when an entrant collapses

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Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 3
When should you call the local fire department to
rescue workers in a confined space?

1. In an emergency
2. After all attempts to rescue the workers have
   failed
3. After you have checked with them first
4. Never, they dont know what to do