GENERALOVERVIEWOFPERMITREQUIREDCONFINEDSPACE COMPLIANCEOPTIONS
The following informationisprovidedasaguidelineonly.Please refertoOSHAStandard1910.146formoredetailed information. SeeAppendixCfordefinitionof Permit-Required-RequiredConfinedSpace.
Ifyourcompanyhasapermitrequiredconfinedspaceyoumustdecidehow
youaregoingtomeettheOccupationalSafetyandHealth Administration
(OSHA) requirements.Youhave 5options.
Option#1-Employeeswillnotenterpermitrequiredconfinedspaces.
Option#2-Employeeswillenterpermitrequiredconfinedspacesand
alternateprocedureswillbeused.(Thisoptioncanonlybeusedif theonlyhazardthatthepermitrequiredconfinedspaceposesis atmospheric.Nophysical hazardscanbepresent).
Option#3-Reclassifyapermitrequiredconfinedspacestoanon-permit confinedspace.
Option#4-Hireoutsidecontractorstoenteryourpermitrequiredconfined spaces.Youremployeeswillnotenterthepermitrequired confinedspace.
Option#5-Enterpermitrequiredconfinedspaces.
Option #1-Theemployerdecidesthatemployeeswillnotenterpermit required confinedspaces.
Postawarningsignthatreads"DANGER-PERMITREQUIREDCONFINED SPACE,DONOTENTER"
Takeeffectivemeasurestopreventemployeesfromenteringpermit-requiredconfinedspaces. Thesemeasurescouldincludetraining,permanentlyclosingthespaceandusing barriers.Trainingshould includeinformationontheexistence,locationanddangerthatpermitrequiredconfinedspacespose.
Option #2-Theemployerdecidesthat employeeswillenterpermit-required confinedspaces andalternateprocedureswillbeused.(Thisoptioncanonly beusediftheonlyhazardthatthepermitrequiredconfinedspaceposesis atmospheric.Nophysicalhazardscanbepresent).
Postawarning'signthatreads"DANGER-PERMITREQUJREDCONFINED SPACE,DONOTENTER"
Priortoremovingtheentrantcovertoapermitrequiredconfinedspacetheemployermust removeany conditionthatmakesitunsafetoremovethatcover(examplesarehighpressure, hightemperatures, hazardousatmospheres).
Once theentrantcoverisremovedtheopeningmustbeguardedtopreventanaccidentalfall andtopreventobjectsfromfallingintothe space.
Beforean employeeentersthepermit-required confinedspacetheinternalatmospheremustbe testedwith a calibrateddirectreadinginstrumentforoxygencontent,flammablegasesand vapors,andpotentialtoxiccontaminants.Note:Thiswillrequirethepurchaseand maintenanceorrentalofthisinstrument.
Periodicallytheinternalatmospheremustbetestedwithacalibrateddirectreadinginstrument for oxygen content, flammable gases and vapors, and potential toxic contaminants. Note: This will require the purchase and maintenance or rental of this instrument.
Providecontinuousforcedairventilationtothepermitrequiredconfinedspace.
Priortoentryintoapermit-requiredconfinedspacetheemployermustverifythatthespaceis safeforentryandthattheairmonitoringrequirementshavebeenmetbytheuseofawritten certificationthatcontainthedate,thelocationofthespace,andthesignatureoftheperson providingthecertification.Thecertificationshallbemadeavailable toeachpersonenteringthe
space.
Theemployermustmaintain recordsofthe monitoringdata.
Theemployermust providetrainingtoemployeesinvolvedwithpermit-requiredconfinedspace sothattheyacquiretheunderstanding,knowledge,andskillsnecessaryforthesafeperformanceoftheirduties.
Theemployermustcertifythattraininghasbeencompleted throughacertificationthatcontains eachemployee'sname,signatureofthetrainersandthedateofthe training.
Option#3 -Reclassify·apermitrequiredconfinedspacetoanon-permit confinedspace.
Postawarningsignthatreads"DANGER-PERMITREQUIREDCONFINED SPACE,DONOTENTER"
Takeeffectivemeasurestopreventemployeesfromenteringpermit-requiredconfinedspaces. Thesemeasurescouldincludetraining,permanentlyclosingthespaceandusingbarriers. Trainingshouldincludeinformationontheexistence,locationanddangerthatpermitrequired confinedspacespose.
Reclassificationcanonlyoccurifthe confinedspacecontainsnoactualorpotentialatmospheric hazardsandifallotherhazardswithinthespacecanbeeliminatedwithoutentryintothespace.
Note:Controlofatmospherichazardsthroughforcedairventilationdoesnot constitute eliminationofthehazard.
Note:Ifitisnecessarytoenterthe permit required confinedspacetoeliminatehazards theemployermustimplementthefullpermitspaceprogram- see option#5.
Theemployershalldocumentthatallhazardshave beeneliminatedthroughacertificationthat containsthedate,thelocationofthespaceandthesignatureofthepersonmakingthe determination.
Ifhazardsarisewithinapermitspacethathasbeendeclassifiedtoanon-permitspaceeach employeeinthespaceshallexittho:space. Theemployershallthen reevaluatethespaceand determinewhether it must bereclassifiedtoapermitrequiredconfinedspace.
OSHAexpectsthatthisprovisionsappliesprimarilytospacescontaininghazardousenergysourcesorengulfmenthazards.
Option#4- Hireoutsidecontractorstoenteryourpermitrequired confined spaces.Youremployeeswillnotenterthepermitrequiredconfined space.
Note:Hostemployeristheemployerhiringanotheremployersemployees.Thecontractoristhe employerbeinghiredbythehostemployer.
Postawarningsignthatreads"DANGER-PERMIT REQUIREDCONFINED SPACE,DONOTENTER"
Takeeffectivemeasurestopreventemployeesfromenteringpermit-requiredconfinedspaces. Thesemeasurescould includetraining, permanentlyclosingthespaceandusing barriers.Trainingshould includeinformationontheexistence,locationanddangerthatpermit requiredconfinedspacespose.
Thehost employermust informthecontractorthatpermitrequiredconfinedspaceentrymust meettherequirementsoftheOSHAConfinedSpaceStandard.
Thehostemployermustinformthecontractorofthehazardsidentifiedbythehostandthe reasonwhythespaceis apermitrequiredconfinedspace.
Informthecontractorofanyprecautions/proceduresthat thehostemployersemployeeswill take toprotectthemselvesinornear permitspaceswherecontractor personnel willbe working.
Coordinateentryoperationswiththecontractorwhenbothhostandcontractor employeeswill beworkingnearthepermitrequiredconfinedspacessothatemployeesofoneemployerdonot endangertheemployeesofanotheremployer.
Thecontractormustobtainanyavailableinformationregardingpermitrequiredconfinedspace hazardsandentryoperations fromthehostemployer.
Thecontractormustinformthehostemployerofthepermitrequiredconfinedspaceprogram thatthecontractorwillfollow.
Thecontractormustinformthehostemployerofanyhazardsconfrontedorcreatedinthe permitrequiredconfinedspace.
Option#5-Enter permitrequired confinedspaces.
Postawarningsignthatreads"DANGER-PERMITREQUIRED CONFINED SPACE,DONOTENTER"
Developandimplementa"WrittenPermitSpaceEntryProgram"(SeeAppendixA)
ReviewtheWritten PermitSpaceEntryProgramusingthecanceledpermitswithin1 yearafter eachentryandrevisetheprogramasnecessary
Prepareanentrypermit
- Permit mustbesignedbytheentrysupervisorpriortoauthorizeentry
- Completedpermitshouldbeavailabletoallauthorizedentrants(canbepostedat theentryportaltothepermitspace)
- Thedurationof permitmaynotexceedthedurationofthetime requiredtocompletetheassignedtaskidentifiedonthepermit
- Theentrysupervisorshallterminateentryandcancelthepermitwhen; The entryoperationscoveredbythepermitarecompleteor
- Aconditionnotallowedbythepermitarisesinornearthepermit
EntryPermitshallidentify;
- Thepermitspacetobeentered
- Purposeofentry
- Dateandtheauthorizeddurationoftheentrypermit
- Authorizedentrants
- Attendants
- EntrySupervisor
- Hazardsofthespace
- Measuresusedtoisolateandeliminate/controlpermitspaces
- Acceptableentrycondition
- Airmonitoringresults(initialandperiodic)includingnamesor initials oftestersand when thetestswereperformed
- Rescueandemergencyservicesandthemeansforsummoningthoseservices
- Communicationproceduresforattendantsandauthorizedentrants
- Equipmenttobeprovided(PPE,testingequipment,alarmsystems, communication equipment,rescueequipment)
- Anyotherneededinformationtoensureemployeesafety
Trainemployees sothattheyacquiretheunderstanding;knowledgeandskillsnecessaryforthe safeperformanceoftheir work(SeeAppendixB)
Employershallensurethat allauthorizedentrants;
- Knowthehazardsincludingmode,signsorsymptomsandconsequencesofexposure
- Properlyuseequipment
- Communicatewiththeattendantasnecessary
- Alerttheattendantwhenever;
Entrantrecognizesanywarningsignorsymptom
Entrantdetectsaprohibitedcondition
Exitfromthepermitspaceasquicklyaspossiblewhenever;
An ordertoevacuateisgivenbytheattendantorentrysupervisor
Theentrantdetectsaprohibitedsituation
Theentrantrecognizesanywarningsignorsymptomofexposure
Anevacuationalarmisactivated
Employershallensurethatallattendants
- Knowthehazardsincludingmode,signsorsymptomsandconsequencesof exposure
- Isaware ofpossible behavioraleffectsofhazardexposurein authorized entrants
- Continuouslymaintainsanaccurateaccountofauthorizedentrants
- Assurethatthemeansusedtoidentifyauthorizedentrantsaccuratelyidentifies whoisinthepermitspace
- Remainsoutsidethepermitspaceduringentryoperationsuntilrelievedbyanother attendant
- Communicateswithauthorizedentrant
- Monitorsactivitiesinsideandoutsidethespacetodetermineifitissafefor entrantsandorderstheauthorizedentrantstoevacuateimmediatelywhen aprohibited condition.arises,theentrantsbehavioriseffected,asituation outsidethespace could endangertheentrant
- Summonrescueemergencyserviceswhenneeded
- Takeappropriateactions whenunauthorizedentrantsapproachorenterpermit spaces(includesinformingentrysupervisor)
- Performnon-entryrescueasspecifiedbytheemployersrescueprocedures
- Performsnodutiesthatmayinterfere withtheattendantsprimarydutytomonitor protecttheauthorizedentrant.
Employershallensurethatallentry supervisors
- Knowthehazardsincludingmode,signsorsymptomsandconsequencesofexposure
- Verifiesthatallrequiredinformation isontheentry permit
- Terminateentryandcancel the permitwhen;
Theentryoperationscoveredbythepermitarecompleteor
Acondition notallowedbythepermit arisesinornearthepermit
- Verifiesthatrescueservicesareavailableandthatthemeansforsummoningthem areoperable
- Removesunauthorizedindividualswhoenterorattempttoenterthepermitspace
- Determines thatentryoperationsremainconsistentwiththetermsoftheentry permitandthatacceptableentryconditions aremaintained.
Rescueandemergencyservicesmustbedeveloped (requirementsaredependentonwhowillbe performingtheseduties)
APPENDIXA
WRITTENPERMITSPACEENTRYPROGRAM
Implement measures to prevent unauthorized entry
Identify and evaluate hazards of the space before employees enter
Developandimplementthemeans,procedures,andpracticesnecessaryforsafepermit spaceentry operations (ie;specifyacceptableentryconditions, isolatingthepermit space,purginginertingflushingorventilatingthepermit spaceasnecessarytoeliminateor controlatmospheric hazards,providing pedestriansvehicleorother barrierstoprotectentrantsfromexternal
hazards,verifyingthatconditionsinthepermitspaceareacceptablefor
entrythroughoutthe durationofanauthorizedentry)
Provide thefollowingequipmentasneeded;
- Testingandmonitoring equipment
- Ventilationequipment
- Communicationequipment Personalprotectiveequipment Lightingequipment'Barriersandshields
- Equipmentsuchasladdersforsafeingressande!ifess
- Rescueand emergencyequipment
- Anyotherequipmentnecessaryforsafeentryintoand'rescuefrompeimitspaces
Monitorspacepriortoentry
Testormonitorthepermitspaceasnecessarytodetennineifacceptableentryconditionsare beingmaintainedduringthecourseofentryoperations
Provideatleastoneattendantoutsideofthepermitspaceforthedurationofentryoperations
Designatethefollowingandspecifythedutiesof;
- authorizedentrants(personauthorizedbytheemployertoenterapermitspace) attendants(personwhoremainsoutsidethepermitspacetomonitorthe authorizedentrant)
- entrysupervisor (personresponsiblefordeterminingifacceptableentryconditionsarepresentatape1mitspacewhereentryisplanned,forauthorizing entryand overseeingentryoperations,andforterminatingentrywhen necessary)
- personswhotestormonitortheatmosphere
Developandimplementproceduresforsummoningrescueandemergencyservices,for rescuingentrants,providingnecessaryemergencyservicestorescuedemployeesandfor preventingunauthorizedpersonnelfromattemptingarescue
Developandimplementasystemforpreparation,issuance,useandcancellationofentry permits
Developandimplementprocedurestocoordinateentryoperationswhenemployeesofmore thanoneemployerareworkingsimultaneouslyasauthorizedentrantsinapermitspacesothat theemployeesofoneemployers donotendangertheemployeesofany otheremployer
Develop and implement procedures necessary for concluding the entry after entry operations have been completed (ie; closing off permit space and canceling the permit)
Reviewentryoperationswhentheemployerhas reasontobelievethatthemeasurestakenunderthepermit spaceprogrammaynotprotectemployeesand revisetheprogramtocorrect deficienciesfoundto existbeforesubsequententriesareauthorized(ie;anunauthorizedentry,thedetectionofapermitspacehazardnotcoveredbythepermit,thedetectionofacondition prohibitedbythepermit,theoccurrenceofaninjuryornearmissduringentry,changeintheuse or configurationofapermitspace,employeecomplaintsabouttheeffectivenessofthe program
APPENDIXB TRAINING
Thetrainingshallestablish employeeproficiency(testing,demonstration,practice)
Developatrainingcertificationthathastheemployee's name,thesignatureorinitialsofthe trainersandthedatesoftraining.
Trainingmustbeprovidedbeforethe employeeisassigneddutiesrelatedtopermitspaces
Trainingmustbeprovidedifthereisachangeinanemployeesassigneddutiestoapermit space
Wheneverthereisachangeinpermitspaceoperationsthatpresentsahazard aboutwhichan employee has notbeenpreviouslytrained
APPENDIXC DEFINITIONOF
PERMITREQUIRED-CONFINEDSPACE
Aconfinedspace meansaspacethat;
- Islargeenoughandsoconfigured thatanemployeecanbodilyenterand performedassigned work;and
- Haslimitedorrestrictedmeansforentryandexit(forexample,tanks,vessels, silos,storagebins,hoppers, vaultsandpits);and
- Isnotdesignedforcontinuousemployee occupancy.
Apermit required confined spacemeansaconfinedspacethathasoneormoreofthefollowing characteristics;
- Containsorhaspotential tocontainahazardous atmosphere;
- Contains amaterial thathasthepotentialforengulfinganentrant;
- Hasaninternalconfigurationsuchthatanentrantcouldbetrappedorasphyxiatedby inwardlyconvergingwallsorbyafloorwhichslopesdownwardandtaperstoasmaller cross-section;or
- Contains anyotherrecognized serioussafetyorhealthhazard.