Confined spaces such as tanks, vessels, silos, and pits present serious safety risks for workers. To address these risks, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) created confined space entry regulations for general industry and construction. These regulations establish mandatory practices and procedures for safely entering permit-required confined spaces.

By following OSHA confined space guidelines and your employer’s permit space program, you can help reduce accidents in these dangerous work environments. This guide will provide an overview of key information to know before entering a confined space at work.

What Are Confined Spaces?

OSHA defines a confined space as an area large enough for entry that has limited means of egress and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Examples of confined spaces include:

  • Tanks
  • Vessels
  • Silos
  • Pits
  • Manholes
  • Storage bins
  • Hoppers
  • Vaults

These spaces are not intended for continuous employee occupancy and often have restricted entry/exit. Working in confined spaces poses many potential hazards.

Confined Space Hazards

OSHA identifies four categories of hazards associated with permit-required confined spaces:

  • Hazardous atmospheres: Lack of oxygen, flammable/explosive gases, vapors or dusts, toxic contaminants
  • Engulfment hazards: Drowning or suffocation from liquid or finely divided solids
  • Configuration hazards: Tight spaces or layouts that can trap or asphyxiate
  • Other serious safety/health hazards: Unguarded machinery, exposed live wires, heat stress

Atmospheric hazards are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in confined spaces. Testing the air quality before and during entry is critical.

Permit-Required Confined Spaces

Spaces that contain one or more of the four hazard types are designated “permit-required” by OSHA. Any company that has employees entering permit spaces must develop a written permit space program.

This program should:

  • Identify all permit spaces and inform employees of their existence
  • Evaluate potential hazards
  • Develop safety procedures for entering spaces
  • Designate roles and responsibilities
  • Train employees on safe entry procedures
  • Provide monitoring and personal protective equipment
  • Ensure proper entry permits are completed
  • Review program and update as needed

Signs must be posted at all permit space entry points warning unauthorized personnel to stay out. Workers must follow the permit space program when entering any confined space with identified hazards.

The Confined Space Entry Permit

The permit required for entry into confined spaces serves as an authorization and guide for safe entry. Permits must contain:

  • Space to be entered
  • Purpose of entry
  • Date and authorized duration
  • Authorized entrants
  • Personnel, including entry supervisor
  • Known hazards
  • Isolation methods and control measures
  • Acceptable entry conditions
  • Rescue services available
  • Communication procedures
  • Equipment to be provided

Before any employee enters a permit space, the entry supervisor identified on the permit must sign it to authorize entry. Permits are valid only for a set duration. If an evacuation occurs, re-entry requires a new permit. Completed permits must be retained for at least one year.

The Confined Space Entry Team

The entry team normally consists of:

  • Entrants: Workers who enter the permit space to perform tasks
  • Attendants: Remain outside to monitor the entry and space conditions
  • Entry Supervisor: Responsible for overseeing entry and permit process

All team members must be trained on the potential hazards of the space, as well as signs and consequences of exposure. They need to coordinate activities for a safe, successful entry.

Controlling Hazards

Several methods may be used to eliminate or control confined space hazards, including:

  • Lockout/tagout of hazardous energy sources
  • Purging and ventilating the space to remove contaminants
  • Using personal protective equipment
  • Providing entry and exit aids such as ladders and harnesses
  • Implementing procedures for atmospheric testing and monitoring
  • Having rescue services available

Entrants should be equipped with retrieval lines attached to harnesses unless it would increase risk. Communications equipment is also essential for maintaining contact between the attendant and entrants.

By following safety regulations and your employer’s permit space procedures, you can help ensure safe passage in and out of confined spaces. Pay close attention to training and always use caution when entering an area with restricted access.

Summary of Key Points

  • Confined spaces have limited entry/exit and are not meant for continuous occupancy
  • Hazards include dangerous atmospheres, engulfment, entrapment, and others
  • OSHA requires permit and training for entry into spaces with identified risks
  • Permit program identifies/evaluates spaces and implements safe entry procedures
  • Entry supervisor, attendants, and entrants all have important roles to play
  • Control measures include PPE, atmospheric testing, ventilation, and more
  • Follow regulations and employer program to promote confined space safety

Navigating the perilous landscape of confined spaces is a serious challenge for workers across industries, not just those in construction or manufacturing. From hazardous atmospheres to engulfment risks, confined spaces present a multitude of dangers that require meticulous planning, training, and execution. OSHA provides guidelines, but following those guidelines effectively is a task easier said than done. So, how can your organization not just meet but exceed these standards to protect its most valuable asset—its employees? Let’s transition to a solution that does exactly that.

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