Transcript Confined Spaces WISHA Part Two

Confined Spaces – Part 2
An Overview of the
WISHA Confined Spaces
Standard
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
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.
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.
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.
Don’t assume that the only hazard is atmospheric
without investigation and reliable information.
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.
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
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.
Exhaust ventilation must be
used when welding or using
chemicals in a confined space.
Watch out for pockets of
unventilated contaminated air.
Don’t place a blower intake near
a running engine!
Confined Spaces Entry Procedures
What Affects Your Options
If the atmosphere can’t 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.
Written Permit System
What is required in a written permit system?
A written permit for each entry
Extensive employee training
Employee assigned duties
The Written Permit
The permit states what is done and who does it:
Describes each individual’s 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
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
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.
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.
Employee Training
General Requirements
Train before assigning duties
Train before changing duties
Train whenever operations present a new hazard
Employee Training
General Requirements
Retrain whenever there is reason to believe:
• There are deviations from the established
procedures,
• There are inadequacies in the employee’s
knowledge of procedures.
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.
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.
Permit System Job Duties
Entrant’s Knowledge and Duties
Knows and understand the hazards in the space,
Knows and uses equipment properly,
Is able to communicate with the attendant.
Permit System Job Duties
Entrant’s 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.
Permit System Job Duties
Attendant’s 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,
Permit System Job Duties
Attendant’s 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.
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.
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.
Rescue Services
Using Outside Services
Carefully evaluate the prospective
service’s 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.
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
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.
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.
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/Document/ConfSpac.doc
For additional assistance, you can call one of our
consultants. Click below for local L & I office
locations:
http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/consultation/regional_consultants.htm
Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 1
When is a written permit system required to enter
a confined space?
a) Anytime you enter a confined space
b) When the hazards are not all eliminated
c) When a hazardous atmosphere is detected
d) When the confined space can’t be ventilated
Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 2
Which of the following is not a duty of an attendant?
a) Constantly monitors the confined space
b) Keeps in communication with the entrant
c) Enters the confined space to rescue an
entrant who has collapsed
d) Summons help when an entrant collapses
Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 3
When should you call the local fire department to
rescue workers in a confined space?
a) In an emergency
b) After all attempts to rescue the workers
have failed
c) After you have checked with them first
d) Never, they don’t know what to do