Transcript Confined Spaces

Confined Spaces
29 CFR 1910.146 is the OSHA regulation
that requires employers to protect
employees in general industry from the
hazards of entering a confined space that
can cause immediate danger to life and
health.
Confined Spaces
What is a confined space?
A space that is large enough to be
entered; has limited means of entry and
exit; and is not designed for continuous
employee occupancy.
Two Types of Confined Spaces

A confined space that does not meet the
requirements of a Permit Required
Confined Space; and

A Permit Required Confined Space.
Permit Required Confined Space
A permit required confined space is a
space that has one of the following
characteristics:

Contains or has a potential to contain a
hazardous atmosphere

Contains a material such grain or
sawdust that has the potential for
engulfing an entrant

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

Contains any recognized serious safety
or health hazard
Employers Requirements
The employer must evaluate the
workplace to determine if any spaces are
permit-required spaces. A decision flow
chart can be found in Appendix A of
29 CFR 1910.146.
Employers Requirements
If the employer determines that there are
permit spaces, these spaces must be
posted with danger signs indicating the
existence and location of the danger
posed by the permit space. The employer
has the choice of allowing or not allowing
employees to enter the space.
Employers Requirements
If the employer decides that its employees
WILL enter permit spaces, you must
have a written permit space program.
Initial and refresher training must be
conducted for all affected employees.
Permit Required Program
If you have permit required spaces, and
you allow your employees to enter the
space you must have the following:
•
A written program
There are numerous requirements within a
written program i.e., a permit.
(See handout)
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Testing and monitoring equipment
Ventilating equipment
Communications equipment
Proper PPE
Lighting equipment
Barriers and shields
Rescue equipment
Lockout/Tagout

Scope & Application
 The OSHA Standard for the Control of
Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) 29 CFR
1910.147 covers the servicing maintenance
of machines and equipment in which the
unexpected start-up or release of stored
energy could possibly cause injury to
employees
Types of Energy
Mechanical
 Hydraulic
 Pneumatic
 Chemical
 Thermal
 Electrical

Lockout/Tagout Applies

Whenever the employee:
- removes or bypasses machine guards or other safety devices,
resulting in exposure to hazards at the point of operation;
- places any part of their body in contact with the
point of operation of the machine or piece of equipment;
- places any part of their body into a danger zone associated
with a machine operating cycle.
Does Not Apply

While servicing or maintaining cord and plug
connected electrical equipment (the plug must be
removed from the energy source and remain under
the exclusive control of the employee performing the
service or maintenance.

During hot tap operations that involve transmission
and distribution systems for gas, steam, water, or
petroleum products when they are performed on
pressurized pipelines; when continuity of service is
essential and shutdown impractical and an equivalent
form of employee protection is provided.
Definitions

Authorized Employee – An employee who
performs servicing or maintenance on
machines and equipment. Lockout or tagout
is used by these employees for their
protection.

Affected Employee – An employee who
performs the duties of their job within an area
in which the lockout or tagout is implemented
while servicing or maintenance activities are
being performed.
Definitions (cont’d)

Lockout – The placement of a lockout device on an
energy isolating device, per facility procedure,
ensuring that the energy isolating device and the
equipment being controlled cannot be operated until
the lockout device is removed.

Tagout – The placement of a tagout device on an
energy isolating device, per facility procedure, to
indicate that the energy isolating device and the
equipment being controlled may not operate until the
tagout is removed.
Definitions (cont’d)

Lockout Device – Any device that uses positive
means, such as a lock, to hold an energy isolating
device in a safe position preventing the energizing of
machinery or equipment.

Tagout Device – Any prominent warning device, such
as a tag and a means of attachment, securely
fastened to an energy isolating device, indicating that
the affected machine or equipment must not be
operated until the tagout device is removed.

Energy Isolating Device – Any mechanical device that
physically prevents the transmission or release of
energy (e.g., circuit breaker)
Lockout vs. Tagout
If an energy isolating device is capable of
being locked out, it must be locked out
unless it can be shown that a tagout
system provides full employee protection
Written Procedures

Identifies the information authorized employees must
know in order to control hazardous energy during
service or maintenance and includes the following
minimum elements:
– Statement on how the procedure will be used;
– Procedural steps necessary to shut down, isolate,
block, and secure machines and equipment;
– Steps designating the safe placement, removal,
and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and
responsible person;
– Specific requirements for testing machines or
equipment to determine and verify the
effectiveness of locks, tags, and other energy
control measures.
Energy Control Procedure
Preparation for shutdown
 Shutting down the equipment
 Equipment isolation
 Application of Lockout/Tagout devices
 Release of stored energy
 Verification of equipment isolation

Preparation for Shutdown

Understand the types and amounts of
energy that power the equipment

Understand the hazards associated with
the energy

Understand how to safely control the
energy
Equipment Shutdown

Shut the system down using available
operating controls

Follow whatever procedure is
appropriate for the equipment to avoid
endangering anyone during the
shutdown
Equipment Isolation

Be sure to isolate all energy sources,
secondary power supplies as well as
primary supplies

Never just remove a fuse when you can
disconnect the equipment completely
Application of Devices

All energy isolating devices are to be
locked, tagged or both

When lockout is used, every employee
in the work crew must attach their
personal lock
Release of Stored Energy
Ensure all parts have stopped moving
 Relieve trapped pressure
 Block or brace parts that could fall
 Bleed lines and vent valves open
 If stored energy can re-accumulate,
then monitor conditions to make sure it
stays below hazardous levels

Verify Equipment Isolation

Ensure all danger areas are clear of
personnel

Verify disconnect switch or circuit breaker
cannot be moved to the “on” position

Attempt to start equipment by engaging all
activating controls and return controls to the
“off” position when testing is complete
Removing Lockout/Tagout

Ensure all tools re removed from the work
area and that the system is fully assembled

Notify everyone in the work area that the
lockout/tagout is being removed

Remove lockout/tagout devices – each
device must be removed by the person who
put it on
Shift Changes

If service or maintenance activities last
longer then one shift - lockout/tagout
protection must not be interrupted

If the employee who applied the device
is not there to remove it – then it can
only be removed in an emergency and
under the direction of the supervisor
Contractors

The outside contractor and the on-site
employer must exchange lockout/tagout
information and decide who’s program
will be used

Employees on-site must understand the
rules used by the contractor
Periodic Inspections

Inspections must be performed and certified
annually by supervision to assure:
– That the energy control procedures continue to be
implemented and that employees are familiar with
their responsibilities
– Certification must identify the machine or
equipment and include the date of inspection, and
of individual performing the inspection, and any
deviations and corrective actions
Important
Always turn machines off to make minor
adjustments.
 Always lockout machines if more than a
minor adjustment is needed.

Types Of Lockout Devices
Gate Valve Handle Cover
 Ball Valve Handle Cover
 Butterfly Valve Cover
 Single Pole Breaker
 Multiple Pole Breaker
 Cord and Plug

Types, cont.
Wall Switch
 Chains
 Scissor Lock Hasp
 Blinds, i.e, skillet

Accidents
59 - days without a recordable accident
74 - days with a lost time accident
You are entering the most dangerous time
for accidents.
What can you do to help to reach 100?
Correct unsafe behavior
 Point out slip, trip and fall hazards
 Place cones on slip hazards
 Don’t put off telling someone of a
hazard

Questions ?