Confined Spaces
Summary
Permit Required Confined Spaces Entry Guidelines
BYU-Idaho Permit-Required Confined Space Entry Policy
Table of Contents
Basis/Justification
Purpose
Scope
References
General Rules
Training
Confined Space Entry Permit
Isolating and Controlling
Hazardous Energy
Cleaning and Purging Equipment
Ventilating the Confined Space
Gas Testing the Confined Space
Atmosphere
Identifying Physical Hazards
Duties of
Supervisors/Attendant/Entrant
Rescue, Retrieval, and Emergency
Services
Respiratory Protection
Outside Servicing or Contractor
Personnel
Annual Audits
Definitions
0.0 BASIS/JUSTIFICATION
The administration of BYU-Idaho recognizes that
"Confined Spaces" can be dangerous, even potentially lethal work areas.
Personnel can be exposed to a wide range of atmospheric, chemical, explosion, mechanical,
and electrical hazards. And in the event of an accident, rescue may be both difficult and
dangerous. Because of a commitment to provide a safe and healthful work place, and to
comply with OSHA safety standards, the Permit Required Confined Space Entry (PRCSE)
program, described hereafter, is implemented as institutional policy.
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1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of the "Permit-Required Confined Space
Entry" (PRCSE) program is to establish a working standard at BYU-Idaho
which
includes the following elements:
1.1 Establish a program for minimizing permit space hazards and
for regulating employee entry into permit spaces.
1.2 Evaluation of all workplaces to determine what spaces are
subject to PRCSE rules.
1.3 Inform all university employees and/or contractor personnel who
may be exposed to the hazards of PRCSE, and of the existence and location of these spaces.
1.4 Train "qualified" employees as "Entry
Supervisors", "Authorized Entrants", "Attendants", and the
"Permit-Required Confined Space Rescue Team".
1.5 Establish a PRCSE permit system specifying, in writing, the
location and type of work to be done, personnel who will be entering the PRCSE work area,
certifying that all existing hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person, and that
necessary protective measures have been taken to insure the safety of each individual.
1.6 Provide the necessary equipment to work in PRCSE areas, and
if required, to rescue employees during a contingency in any of these areas.
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2.0 SCOPE
BYU-Idaho facilities which may be categorized as PRCSE
include, but are not limited to the following areas include:
(a) Service tunnel system
(b) Boilers, ducts, flues, and coal bunkers at the Heating Plant
(c) Transformer vaults.
(d) Manholes, other vaults (Sewer, Water and Electrical)
(e) Granaries, silos, dust collection tanks
(f) Swimming pool chlorination system tanks, surge tanks and sand tanks.
(g) Air handling plenums, ducts and any space with a limited access, or open topped space,
more than four (4) feet deep, i.e., trench, tank, or duct.
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3.0 REFERENCES
OSHA General Industry
29 CFR 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces
29 CFR 1910.120(b)(4)(ii) ("HAZWOPER")
29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection)
29 CFR 1910.147 (Lockout/Tagout)
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(4) (Welding in Confined Space)
29 CFR 1910.252(c)(2) (Welding)
29 CFR 1910.252(c)(9) & (10) (Welding)
OSHA Construction
29 CFR 1926.21(b)(6)(I) (Training ,Protective Equipment)
29 CFR 1926.352(g) (Welding)
29 CFR 1926.353(b)(1) & (2) (Welding-Ventilation)
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4.0 GENERAL RULES
4.1 Each major work area and/or department having responsibility
to install, service and/or maintain mechanical equipment and facilities shall conduct
periodic audits to identify confined spaces, and post a warning sign which states: DANGER
- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER; at each location meeting the requirements
of the (PRCS) standard.
4.2 Supervisors in each major work area at BYU-Idaho
will address the
requirements of this standard according to equipment and facilities that are within their
area of responsibility.
4.3 When a confined space is suspected to contain toxic
materials, a flammable mixture or where there may be a deficiency of oxygen; appropriate
tests shall be made by a qualified person before entry is permitted. Entry will be
permitted only after it has been determined that toxic or explosive limits are not
exceeded, and the oxygen content is not below 19.5% nor above 23.5% of the total air
mixture.
4.4 Where any known or suspected hazardous material is suspected
to be found, a Material Safety Data Sheet, or other similar written information, for that
substance is required to be kept at the worksite. That written information shall be made
available to the medical facility treating the exposed entrant.
4.5 If the atmosphere in a confined space is found to have, or is
suspected of having an oxygen deficiency or if it exceeds toxic or flammable limits the
area shall be:
(a) Posted with an appropriate warning sign, i.e., KEEP OUT,
FLAMMABLE, TOXIC, or OXYGEN DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERE.
(b) Purged and ventilated
(c) Re-checked and found to be clear and safe prior to re-entry
4.6 Cylinders of compressed gas of any type shall not be taken
into confined spaces. (SCBA respirators are the only exception).
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5.0 TRAINING
5.1 The University Safety Department will train department
supervisors in the "Confined Space Entry" program. The department supervisor
will be responsible for the training of all affected personnel. All affected personnel
will be trained initially and be retrained annually or as the situation warrants. New
university personnel affected by "Confined Space Entry" program will be
trained as part of their initial orientation.
5.2 Entry supervisor, attendant, and authorized entrants will be
trained in:
Confined Space Hazards, including:
hazardous atmosphere
engulfment
electrical
moving machinery
burns
trips/slips/falls
entrapment
5.3 Training should also include Confined Space Safeguards,
Engineering, Work Practice Controls (confined space preparation and isolation, Lock
Out/Tag Out, methods of eliminating or controlling atmospheric hazards, procedures to
protect entrants from external hazards, procedures to verify that conditions in the
confined space are acceptable throughout entry)
5.4 BYU-Idaho Confined Space Entry Program
5.5 Gas Testing Procedures
5.6 Isolation and Control of Hazardous Energy (Lock Out/Tag Out)
5.7 Entry Supervisor, Authorized Entrant, and Attendant duties
5.8 Selection and use of proper personal protective equipment
(PPE)
5.9 Communication Procedures for Summoning Rescue and Emergency
Services
5.10 Emergency Response, and Rescue.
5.11 Training Records. A training outline and training record
will be maintained in departments, with copies forwarded to the University
Safety Office.
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6.0 CONFINED SPACE
ENTRY PERMIT
6.1 A confined space shall not be entered until it has been
determined by a qualified person that it is safe to enter; and a confined space entry
permit has been issued to the immediate supervisor and the person or persons who comprise
the entry crew. Permits and monitoring equipment shall be issued by the
BYU-Idaho Campus Police Division.
6.2 Only qualified personnel who have been trained in the use of
atmospheric monitoring and safety equipment and know the requirements of
BYU-Idaho Confined Space policy shall administer the confined space entry permit procedure.
6.3 The "Confined Space Entry Permit" will be
conspicuously posted at the entrance of the confined space.
6.4 Each person shall be instructed concerning the written
instructions on the "Confined Space Entry Permit" and shall be required to
observe those regulations for his/her own safety and the well-being of fellow personnel.
6.5 The immediate supervisor of the crew involved in the confined
space entry shall remove the permit only after all work is done and all entry personnel
have vacated the space.
6.6 The immediate supervisor involved shall forward the canceled
permit to the University Safety Department immediately after the job is completed,
where it will be kept on file.
6.7 Completing the Entry Permit
6.7.1 The entry permit must be completed and signed by the entry
supervisor. The permit must clearly identify:
(1) Location of the confined space;
(2) Purpose of entry and scope of work;
(3) Authorized date and duration of entry;
(4) Measures to isolate the space and eliminate or control
hazards;
(5) Initial and periodic gas results;
(6) List of entry requirements and safe work practices;
(7) Communication procedures and rescue;
(8) Other required permits;
(9) Entrant log;
(10) Attendant signature.
6.8 Closing Out the Permit
6.8.1 When entry work is complete, or the space must be left
unattended, the permit must be voided (canceled), entry into the space closed, or
barricaded, and signed "DO NOT ENTER".
6.8.2 Permits must be returned to University Safety Office
after being closed out (canceled), where they will be kept on file for one year.
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7.0
ISOLATING AND CONTROLLING HAZARDOUS ENERGY
7.1 All energized systems that are being serviced, including:
electrical, steam, hydraulic, chemical, compressed air, gas, or other systems that might
unexpectedly, improperly or accidentally be energized; should be "Locked out"
according to BYU-Idaho Lockout/Tagout policy.
7.2 All lines entering and leaving a vessel must be isolated to
prevent re-entry of flammable or toxic liquids or gases. Pipes or equipment to be
disassembled or opened as part of vessel entry or hot work shall be first brought to
"safe energy state".
7.3 Contents of the vessel must be identified and safeguards
including the use of proper PPE shall be done prior to breaking lines or opening the
equipment.
7.4 Lighting/Electrical
7.4.1 All 110 volt cord connected lighting must be grounded and
service outlets must be of the three contact type. In addition ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCI) must be used where wet conditions exist.
7.4.2 All lighting/tools/ventilating equipment used in confined
spaces containing or potentially containing flammable vapors or combustible dusts shall be
approved respectively for Class I, Division I or Class II, Division I hazardous locations
(explosion proof). This includes low voltage lighting such as drop lights, flashlights,
etc.
7.4.3 Electrical powered tools used in confined spaces shall be
protected through a GFCI or the tool shall be double insulated.
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8.0 CLEANING AND
PURGING EQUIPMENT
8.1 The equipment to be entered must be emptied and made as clean
and free of residue as possible by hot or cold water flush, steaming, chemical
neutralization, or air purge with harmful vapors vented safely away from the work area.
Sludge should be removed to the greatest possible degree from the confined space.
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9.0 VENTILATING THE
CONFINED SPACE
9.1 Cleaning a vessel often results in the release and
accumulation of flammable and harmful vapors. A vessel shall be continuously ventilated if
the work in progress creates fumes (i.e. cutting, welding, coating, steaming, removal of
sludge). Air movers shall be explosion proof and bonded to the vessel. Oxygen or inert
gasses shall not be used to ventilate a confined space which personnel may enter.
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10.0 GAS
TESTING THE CONFINED SPACE ATMOSPHERE
10.1 A trained, authorized person shall test the atmosphere to
determine the presence of oxygen deficiency, combustible gases and any other hazardous
condition which might be suspected (i.e. H2S, CO, SO2, total hydrocarbons).
10.2 Ensure that the atmosphere sampling instrument is
functioning properly. Check the battery. Check the sampling for leaks. Calibrate and zero
the instrument. Sample the confined space beginning at the top. Sample the entry, then the
work area.
10.3 Sample equipment for hot work beginning at the area adjacent
to the equipment. Sample the equipment outside, and where possible, inside.
10.4 It should always be remembered that atmosphere conditions
can change and that periodic or continuous gas testing may be needed.
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11.0 IDENTIFYING
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
11.1 A comprehensive hazard assessment must be conducted and work
practices and other safeguards to minimize or control hazards must be completed before
entry.
11.2 Physical hazards, such as agitators, steam fittings, drive
shafts, gears and other moving parts can pose a danger in confined spaces. Moving
equipment must be blocked, locked out and tagged.
11.3 Uneven or wet surfaces and corroded roof tops may pose slip,
trip, and fall hazards. Surfaces should be allowed to dry. Fall protection must be used on
surfaces which pose a fall hazard.
11.4 Engulfment hazards exist in areas where loose materials are
stored. These materials can collapse under the weight of an employee.
11.5 Contact with corrosive chemicals such as acids, solvents,
and cleaning solutions can cause serious irritation or burns. Personal protective
equipment (PPE) to protect against skin contact and inhalation of these materials must be
worn.
11.6 Safety lighting should be used when visibility is poor.
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12.0
DUTIES OF SUPERVISOR, ATTENDANT AND ENTRANT
12.1 Duties of entry supervisors. Every "Entry Supervisor
shall:
12.1.1 Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including
information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
12.1.2 Verify, by checking that the appropriate entries have been
made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that
all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the
permit and allowing entry to begin;
12.1.3 Terminate the entry and cancels the permit as required.
12.1.4 Verify that rescue services are available and that the
means for summoning them are operable;
12.1.5 Remove unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt
to enter the permit space during entry operations; and
12.1.6 Determine, whenever responsibility for a permit space
entry operation is transferred and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations
performed within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the
entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained.
12.2 Duties of Authorized entrants
12.2.1 Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including
information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
12.2.2 Know the proper use, when necessary, of all of the
following types of equipment:
(1) Testing and monitoring equipment
(2) Ventilating equipment
(3) Communications equipment
(4) Personal protective equipment (PPE)
(5) Lighting equipment
(6) Barriers and shields
(7) Equipment used for safe ingress and egress by entrants
(8) Rescue and emergency equipment
(9) Any other equipment necessary for safe entry and/or rescue
12.2.3 Communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the
attendant to monitor entrant status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the
need to evacuate the space as required.
12.2.4 Alert the attendant whenever:
(1) The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of
exposure to a dangerous situation, or
(2) The entrant detects a prohibited condition; and
12.2.5 Exit from the permit space as quickly as possible
whenever:
(1) An order to evacuate is given by the attendant or the entry
supervisor,
(2) The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of
exposure to a dangerous situation,
(3) The entrant detects a prohibited condition, or
(4) An evacuation alarm is activated.
12.3 Duties of attendants. Every attendant shall:
12.3.1 Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including
information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
12.3.2 Be aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure
in authorized entrants;
12.3.3 Continuously maintain an accurate count of authorized
entrants in the permit space and ensure that the means used to identify authorized
entrants accurately identifies who is in the permit space;
12.3.4 Remain outside the permit space during entry operations
until relieved by another attendant;
NOTE: When the attendant has been trained and equipped for rescue
operations, attendants may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue if they have been
relieved by another authorized attendant.
12.3.5 Communicate with authorized entrants as necessary to
monitor entrant status and to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space under.
12.3.6 Monitor activities inside and outside the space to
determine if it is safe for entrants to remain in the space and orders the authorized
entrants to evacuate the permit space immediately under any of the following conditions;
(1) If the attendant detects a prohibited condition;
(2) If the attendant detects the behavioral effects of hazard
exposure in an authorized entrant;
(3) If the attendant detects a situation outside the space that
could endanger the authorized entrants; or
(4) If the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all of
his required duties.
12.3.7 Summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as the
attendant determines that authorized entrants may need assistance to escape from permit
space hazards;
12.3.8 Take the following actions when unauthorized persons
approach or enter a permit space while entry is underway:
(1) Warn the unauthorized persons that they must stay away from
the permit space;
(2) Advise the unauthorized persons that they must exit
immediately if they have entered the permit space; and
(3) Inform the authorized entrants and the entry supervisor if
unauthorized persons have entered the permit space;
12.3.9 Perform non-entry rescues.
12.3.10 Perform no duties that might interfere with the
attendant's primary duty to monitor and protect the authorized entrants.
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13.0
RESCUE/RETRIEVAL AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
13.1 Entry
13.1.1 To facilitate non-entry rescue, retrieval systems or
methods should be used whenever an authorized entrant enters a PRCS, unless the retrieval
equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue
of the entrant. Retrieval systems shall meet the following requirements:
13.1.2 Each authorized entrant shall use a body harness, with a
retrieval line attached at the center of the entrant's back near shoulder level, or above
the entrants head. Wristlets may be used in lieu of the chest or full body harness if it
can be demonstrated that the use of a chest or full body harness is infeasible or creates
a greater hazard.
13.1.3 The other end of the retrieval line shall be attached to a
mechanical device or fixed point outside the PRCS in such a manner that rescue is
necessary. A mechanical device shall be available to retrieve personnel from vertical type
PRCS more than 5 feet (1.52m) deep.
13.2 Rescue
13.2.1 "Non-entry" or "external" rescue will
be used where feasible. This includes the use of a retrieval of life line attached to a
full body harness worn by the entrant or a mechanical retrieval system such as a tripod
and winch.
13.2.2 Since most confined space fatalities involve improperly
equipped and trained rescuers, attendants will only perform external rescue and assist
rescuers from outside the confined space.
13.2.3 The facility rescue team must train and perform a
simulated confined space rescue at least once a year. Training shall include:
(1) confined space hazard recognition;
(2) atmosphere testing and evaluation;
(3) use and evaluation of material safety data sheets (MSDS);
(4) use and limitations of personal protective equipment (PPE);
(5) incident command system and confined space communication;
(6) rescue techniques;
(7) self rescue;
(8) patient assessment and care.
NOTE: At no time should any rescuer place himself in a dangerous
situation to perform a rescue.
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14.0 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
14.1 Where it is not known if a toxic or oxygen deficient
atmosphere exists or if sampling/monitoring indicates that there is a known oxygen
deficiency or that toxic limits are exceeded--APPROPRIATE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION MUST BE
WORN.
14.2 In areas where there is less than 19.5% oxygen by volume
only SCBA's or airline respirators will be used.
14.3 Where toxic limits are exceeded, respiratory protection will
be approved by the University Safety Department.
14.4 No one will enter a confined space, at any time, where
flammable limits are more than 10% of the LEL (Lower Explosive Limit).
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15.0
OUTSIDE SERVICING OR CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL
(Multi-employer Worksites)
15.1 Whenever outside servicing or contractor personnel are to be
engaged in activities covered by the "Scope" of this program,
university
personnel and the outside employer shall inform each other of their respective
"Confined Space Entry" procedures.
15.2 Authorized university personnel will issue all confined
space entry permits. All co contractors whose work will involve entry into confined spaces
must train their personnel in BYU-Idaho PRCS program requirements. By signing the
Confined Space Entry Permits the contractor acknowledges that they have read, understood,
and will follow all permit requirements.
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16.0 ANNUAL AUDITS
16.1 The University Safety Department will perform annual
audits of the "Confined Space Entry" program. Results of this audit will be
forwarded to unit supervisors and department directors.
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17.0 DEFINITIONS
Acceptable entry conditions: The conditions that must exist
in a permitted space to allow entry and to ensure that employees involved with a PRCSE
safely enter into, and work within the space in compliance with all work rules.
Attendant: An individual stationed outside one or more
permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants, and who performs all attendant's
duties assigned in the employers permit space program.
Authorized entrant: An employee who is authorized to enter
a Permit Required Confined Space.
Blanking or Blinding: The absolute closure of a pipe, line
or duct by the fastening of a solid plate (such as a spectacle blind or a skillet blind)
that completely covers the bore and that is capable of withstanding the maximum pressure
of the pipe, line, or duct with no leakage beyond the plate.
Confined Space: A space which:
(1) is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily
enter and perform assigned work; and
(2) has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for
example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that
may have limited means of entry), and
(3) is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
It may be an open topped space more than 4 feet (1.2m) deep. A
confined space may have an oxygen deficient (less than 19.5% oxygen) or oxygen enriched
(greater than 23%) atmosphere, an accumulation of flammable vapors (in excess of 10% of
the LFL), toxic gasses, or other safety and/or health hazards. Examples of confined spaces
include, but are not limited to: storage tanks, process vessels, storage bins, boilers and
flues, ventilation and exhaust ducts, utility vaults, elevator pits, manholes, tunnels and
trenches.
Double Block and Bleed: The closure of a line, duct, or
pipe by closing and locking or tagging two in line valves and by opening and locking or
tagging a drain or vent valve in the line between the two closed valves.
Emergency: Any occurrence (including any failure of hazard
control or monitoring equipment) or event internal or external to the permit space that
could endanger entrants.
Engulfment: The surrounding and effective capture of a
person by a liquid or finely divided (flowable) solid substance that can be aspirated to
cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system or that can exert enough force
on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction, or crushing.
Entry: The action by which a person passes through an
opening into a PRCSE. Entry includes ensuing work activities in that space and is
considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant's body breaks the plane of
an opening into the space [This is OSHAs' definition quoted verbatim from 29 CFR
1910.146(b)].
Entry Permit: The written or printed document that is
provided by the employer to allow and control entry into a permit space and that contains:
(1) The permit space to be entered
(2) The purpose of entry
(3) The date and the authorized duration of the entry permit
(4) The authorized entrants within the permit space, by name or
by such other means as will enable the attendant to determine quickly and accurately, for
the duration of the permit, which authorized entrants are inside the permit space.
(5) The personnel, by name, currently serving as attendants.
(6) The individual, by name, currently serving as entry
supervisor, with a space for the signature or initials of the entry supervisor who
originally authorized entry.
(7) The hazards of the permit space to be entered.
(8) The measures used to isolate the permit space and to
eliminate or control permit space hazards before entry. These measures include but are not
limited to: Lock Out/Tag Out, purging, inerting, ventilating, and flushing permit spaces.
(9) The acceptable entry conditions.
(10) The results of initial and periodic tests performed,
accompanied by the names or initials of the testers and by an indication of when the tests
were performed.
(11) The rescue and emergency services that can be summoned and
the means (such as the equipment to use and the numbers to call) for summoning those
services.
(12) The communication procedures used by authorized entrants and
attendants to maintain contact during the entry.
(13) Equipment, such as personal protective equipment, testing
equipment, communications equipment, alarm systems, and rescue equipment, to be provided
for compliance.
(14) Any other information whose inclusion is necessary, given
the circumstances of the particular confined space, in order to ensure employee safety.
(15) Any additional permits, such as for hot work, that have been
issued to authorize work in the permit space.
Entry Supervisor: The person (such as the employer,
foreman, or crew chief) responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are
present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing
entry operations, and for terminating entry as required by this section.
NOTE: An entry supervisor also may serve as an attendant or as an
authorized entrant, as long as that person is trained and equipped as required by this
section for each role he or she fills. Also, the duties of entry supervisor may be passed
from one individual to another during the course of an entry operation.
Hazardous atmosphere: An atmosphere that may expose
employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that
is, escape unaided from a permit space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the
following causes:
(1) Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its
lower flammable limit (LFL);
(2) Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or
exceeds its LFL; NOTE: This concentration may be approximated as a condition in which the
dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet (1.52 m) or less.
(3) Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above
23.5 percent;
(4) Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a dose
or a permissible exposure limit is published in Subpart G, Occupational Health and
Environmental Control, or in Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, of this Part and
which could result in employee exposure in excess of its dose or permissible exposure
limit;
NOTE: An atmospheric concentration of any substance that is not
capable of causing death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or
acute illness due to its health effects is not covered by this provision.
(5) Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous
to life or health.
NOTE: For air contaminants for which OSHA has not determined a
dose or permissible exposure limit, other sources of information, such as Material Safety
Data Sheets that comply with the Hazard Communication Standard, section 1910.1200 of this
Part, published information, and internal documents can provide guidance in establishing
acceptable atmospheric conditions.
Hot work permit: The employer's written authorization to
perform operations (for example; riveting, welding, cutting, burning, and heating) capable
of providing a source of ignition.
Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH): Any
condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause
irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual's ability
to escape unaided from a permit space.
NOTE: Some materials -- hydrogen fluoride gas and cadmium vapor,
for example -- may produce immediate transient effects that, even if severe, may pass
without medical attention, but are followed by sudden, possibly fatal collapse 12-72 hours
after exposure. The victim "feels normal" from recovery from transient effects
until collapse. Such materials in hazardous quantities are considered to be
"immediately" dangerous to life or health.
Inerting: The displacement of the atmosphere in a permit
space by a noncombustible gas (such as nitrogen) to such an extent that the resulting
atmosphere is noncombustible.
NOTE: This procedure produces an IDLH oxygen-deficient
atmosphere.
Isolation: The process by which a permit space is removed
from service and completely protected against the release of energy and material into the
space by such means as:
(1) blanking or blinding;
(2) misaligning or removing sections of lines, pipes, or ducts;
(3) a double block and bleed system;
(4) lockout or tagout of all sources of energy; or
(5) blocking or disconnecting all mechanical linkages.
Line breaking: The intentional opening of a pipe, line, or
duct that is or has been carrying flammable, corrosive, or toxic material, an inert gas,
or any fluid at a volume, pressure, or temperature capable of causing injury.
Non-permit confined space: A confined space that does not
contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard
capable of causing death or serious physical harm.
Oxygen deficient atmosphere: An atmosphere containing less
than 19.5 percent oxygen by volume.
Oxygen enriched atmosphere: An atmosphere containing more
than 23.5 percent oxygen by volume.
Permit-required confined space (permit space): A confined
space that has one or more of the following characteristics:
(1) Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous
atmosphere;
(2) Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an
entrant;
(3) Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be
trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward
and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or
(4) Contains any other recognized serious safety or health
hazard.
Permit-required confined space program (permit space program):
The employer's overall program for controlling, and, where appropriate, for protecting
employees from, permit space hazards and for regulating employee entry into permit spaces.
Permit system: The employer's written procedure for
preparing and issuing permits for entry and for returning the permit space to service
following termination of entry.
Prohibited condition: Any condition in a permit space that
is not allowed by the permit during the period when entry is authorized.
Rescue service: The personnel designated to rescue
employees from permit spaces. (Rexburg/Madison Fire Department-Telephone: 359-3010 or 911)
Retrieval system: The equipment (including a retrieval
line, chest or full-body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, and a lifting device or
anchor) used for non-entry rescue of persons from permit spaces.
Testing: The process by which the hazards that may
confront entrants of a permit space are identified and evaluated. Testing includes
specifying the tests that are to be performed in the permit space.
NOTE: Testing enables employers both to devise and implement
adequate control measures for the protection of authorized entrants and to determine if
acceptable entry conditions are present immediately prior to, and during, entry.
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