CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM

Transcription

1 CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM CURRENTLY BEING REVISED 2007 Revision 1

2 KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Scope and Purpose The purpose of this standard is to protect the health and safety of personnel working in or near confined spaces and comply with 29 CFR Any individual entering into a confined space must follow the procedures as outlined in this document. This document complies with applicable regulatory standards and includes specific non-regulatory requirements set forth by Occupational Health and Safety. Whenever possible, the hazards associated with Confined Space Entry that can be controlled shall be eliminated prior to entry. Permit Required Space Entries shall be conducted only when conditions exist, such as space configuration or inert atmospheres, which either cannot be removed or would lead to greater hazards if they were removed. Contractors that enter confined spaces on the Kent State University campus are required to implement their own confined space program in accordance with applicable regulations. Kent State University personnel will not perform atmospheric testing, issue permits, or provide equipment to contractor personnel for the purpose of entering confined spaces on campus. Appropriate designation of responsibilities in campus service contracts is essential for this purpose. See Appendix C for standard contract language. Definitions CONFINED SPACE A space defined by concurrent existence of ALL of the following: 1. Large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work. 2. Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit. 3. Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Examples of Confined Spaces at Kent State University Manholes, boilers, tanks, vaults without existing general ventilation. Note: Trenches typically are not confined spaces, check applicable state PERRP and federal OSHA regulations for trench operations requirements. 2

3 PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE A space that has one or more of the following characteristics: 1. Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere. 2. Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant. 3. Ready removal of a suddenly disabled employee is difficult due to the location and/or size of access openings 4. Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards. Note: A full permit is required to be completed for all confined space designated as permit-required at Kent State University. ENCLOSED SPACE Spaces that do not meet the definitions of confined space but may require precautionary measures upon entering. Examples enclosed spaces at Kent State University: Crawl spaces, pipe chases, air handlers and service tunnels with existing general ventilation. DANGEROUS AIR CONTAMINATION An atmosphere capable of causing death, injury, acute illness, or disablement due to the presence of flammable, explosive, toxic, or incapacitating substances. OXYGEN DEFICIENT/OXYGEN ENRICHED ATMOSPHERE An atmosphere containing less than 19.5% or greater than 23.5% oxygen by volume. PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVEL (PEL), THRESHFOLD LIMIT VALUSE (TLV) The permissible amount of exposure to a toxic substance that an employee is allowed to receive in any given time period. This may be a Time Weighted Average (TWA) or a Threshold Limit Value (TLV). TIME WEIGHTED AVERAGE (TWA) The average exposure calculated over a set period of time. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health establishes these standards as Recommended Exposure Limits (for most industrial/workplace chemicals) to which nearly all persons can be exposed to for up to a 10 hour work week without adverse health effects. 3

4 LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT (LEL) The highest concentration of a substance in air that will produce a flash of fire when an ignition source (heat, arc, or flame) is present. At concentrations lower than the LEL, the mixture is too lean to burn. CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT A permit (Attachment A) must be completely filled out, signed, and dated by the entry supervisor prior to entrants accessing the space. The permit is valid for only that work shift. RESPONSIBILITIES OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY 1. Develop, implement and maintain the Confined Space Program 2. Provide review and updates to confined spaces and procedures as needed. 3. Maintain confined space records as needed. 4. Provide training on the Confined Space Program. 5. Serve as a resource to departments on confined space issues. DEPARTMENT SUPERVISORS 1. Ensure that Kent State University employees under their direct supervision understand and adhere to adopted procedures during confined space entry operations. 2. Assure that necessary education and training will take place prior to the employee being assigned to work in a confined space. 3. Maintain copies of all Confined Space Entry Permits, including all air monitoring results. 4. Provide necessary operations equipment and resources including confined space attendants. 5. Identify locations and potential hazards of each confined space that may require entry by employees. 4

5 ENTRY SUPERVISORS 1. Determine if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned. Know the hazards that may be encountered during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms and consequences of the exposure. 2. Oversee entry operations for the duration of assigned work and terminate entry when conditions are determined to be unsafe. 3. Perform air monitoring as required. 4. Complete all sections of the Confined Space Entry Permit. 5. Verify that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning additional services are operable. 6. Control access to the confined space, prohibiting entry by unauthorized individuals. ENTRANTS 1. Because of the number of potential hazards that may exist or develop in the work environment, confined space entrants are required to use extreme caution at all times. Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure. 2. Confined space entrants are responsible for reading and complying with procedures and guidelines and using equipment provided by their supervisors. 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 if the attendant detects a prohibitive condition, if the attendant detects the behavioral effects of hazards exposure in an authorized attendant, if the attendant detects a situation outside the space that could endanger the authorized entrant, or if the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform assigned duties. 4. Alert the attendant whenever the entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation, or the entrant detects a prohibited condition. ATTENDANTS 1. Assist entry supervisor and entrants as directed by the entry supervisor. 2. Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure. 5

6 3. Be aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants 4. Remain outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant. 5. Communicate with authorized entrant as necessary to monitor entrant status and to alert entrant of the need to evacuate the space if the attendant detects a prohibited condition, if the attendant detects the behavioral effects of hazards exposure in an authorized entrant, if the attendant detects a situation outside the work space that could endanger the authorized entrant, or if the attendant cannot effectively and safety perform the assigned duties. 6. Initiate on-site rescue procedures and if necessary, summon additional rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that authorized attendants need assistance to escape from permit space hazards. Contact Public Safety (911) or radio the Public Safety dispatcher (535) and request Confined Space Rescue. 7. Warn unauthorized person that they must stay away from the permit space. Advise unauthorized persons that they must exit immediately if they have entered the permit space, and inform the authorized entrant and entry supervisor if unauthorized persons have entered the permit space. 8. Perform non-entry rescue or other rescues services as part of Kent State University s on-site rescue procedure. 9. Do not perform any duties that might interfere with the attendant s primary duty to monitor and protect the authorized entrant. SPECIFIC PROCEDURES INITIAL AIR MONITORING 1. Keep manhole covers and access doors to confined spaces closed until air monitoring equipment is ready for testing. 2. Turn MSA Passport Five Star on and allow it to run through self-diagnosis mode. In fresh air environment, press yes for fresh air test. The unit will then display combustible, CO, O2 and H2S readings. 3. Remove the manhole cover or access door and immediately begin testing the atmosphere of the space with the monitor. a. For vaults and manholes, refrain from leaning over the area to be tested; lower the monitor slowly and to within six inches of the bottom. Do not allow the unit to get wet! Bring the unit back up and record the readings 6

7 on the permit form. Continue to lower the monitor and different levels and record the readings to determine if layering of contaminants has occurred. b. For horizontal spaces (e.g. boilers), move the monitor into the space with a pole or other means. Record the readings on the permit as mentioned previously. 4. A written record of air testing results shall be made on the permit form and kept at the work site for the duration of work. Affected employees and/or their representatives shall be afforded an opportunity to review and record the testing results. 5. After long breaks (>half hour) such as lunch, complete testing for permit required confined spaces shall be performed again to determine if any atmospheric changes have taken place inside the confined space. 6. Testing of the oxygen content and for flammability (LEL) shall be documented with sufficient frequency to ensure conformance with this section. VENTILATION 1. Adequate ventilation will be provided to protect employees from dangerous working conditions resulting from accumulation of hazardous concentrations of flammable vapors, toxic gases or oxygen deficient or enriched atmosphere in all pits, rooms, vaults or other enclosed areas. 2. If sufficient general ventilation exists to ensure the removal of all atmospheric hazards, as identified through air monitoring, then the space may be treated as an Enclosed Space and only the requirements of the PRE-ENTRY PROCEDURES apply. PRE-ENTRY PROCEDURES 1. Lines which may convey flammable, injurious, or incapacitating substances into the space shall be disconnected, blinded or blocked off by other positive means to prevent development of dangerous air contamination and/or oxygen deficiency within the space. NOTE: Where experience or knowledge of industrial use indicates materials resulting in dangerous air contamination may be dumped into an occupied sewer, all such laterals shall be blocked. 2. Confined spaces shall be emptied, flushed, or otherwise purged of flammable, injurious or incapacitating substance to the extent feasible. 7

8 3. If air contaminants exists, spaces shall be ventilated for at least 15 minutes prior to entry, using the most effective method (e.g. blowing air into or drawing air from the space). 4. A confined space entry permit (Appendix A) will be completed, signed and dated by the entry supervisor. A copy of the confined space permit will be forwarded to Occupational Health and Safety and will be kept on file. The original entry permit will be kept on file by the department using the permit. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS 1. If the existence of dangerous air contamination and/or oxygen deficiency is determined by the tests performed, existing ventilation shall be supplemented by appropriate means. 2. Whenever oxygen consuming equipment is used, arrangements will be made to ensure sufficient venting for all combustion air and exhaust gases. Air monitoring must be used during this process to ensure that proper oxygen levels are maintained in the confined space. OPERATING PROCEDURES 1. Non-permit Required Confined Space a. Employees working in a non-permit confined space shall wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the hazards expected in the space (e.g. eye protection, gloves). b. Air testing shall be conducted periodically to monitor the pre-existing atmospheric environment and to detect any atmospheric changes that might occur. All testing data obtained shall be recorded on the confined space entry permit. c. If air sampling instruments indicate any atmospheric changes, the supervisor will immediately remove the entrant from the confined space and reassess the area for its new hazard. 2. Permit-Required Confined Space a. All items in the SPECIFIC PROCEDURES section (p.6) shall apply. b. A tripod, body harness and lanyard shall be used. 8

9 c. Where air contaminants persist or begin to appear after ventilating a confined space, continuous air monitoring will be performed. All testing data will be entered on the confined space entry permit every 20 minutes by the entry supervisor. EMERGENCY & RESCUE PROCEDURES 1. Should an employee become disabled while in a confined space or enclosed space, the attendant shall immediately call the emergency number (911 or radio the Public Safety Dispatcher at 535) to summon emergency personnel. It is important to communicate to the dispatchers that a confined space rescue is needed. 2. Rescue attempts shall be made only by individuals who are trained in confined space rescue procedures and that have the necessary equipment to perform the rescue without endangering the safety of the would be rescuer. NOTE: There are no Kent state University personnel trained in confined space rescue. Confined space rescue is the responsibility of off campus emergency agencies. However, authorized individuals may provide unlimited non-entry rescue assistance (supplied air, use of retrieval system, etc.). EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS The following equipment and materials will be made available to employees and used when appropriate: Located in the HVAC shop at Campus Environment (1) 1. MSA Passport Five Star Gas Monitor ( 1-backup unit at Occupational Health and Safety) 2. Forced air devices (fans with tubes) Located in the caged storage area between office and the refrigeration unit at Administrative Service Building: 3. Harness and lanyard 4. Tripod Provided as needed: 5. Appropriate fire extinguisher 6. 2-way communication device (radio) 9

10 7. Appropriate eye protection 8. Appropriate gloves 9. Tyvec suites 10. Flashlights 11. Lockout devices EMPLOYEE TRAINING Any employee entering confined spaces (entrants), confined space entry supervisors, and attendants must receive training on the: 1. Entrant responsibilities 2. Attendant responsibilities 3. Entry supervisor responsibilities 4. Rescue procedures 5. Confined space definitions 6. Confined space hazards 7. Completion of Confined space permit 8. Entry procedures 9. Operation of non-entry rescue equipment RECORDKEEPING AND LOCATION OF CONFINED SPACES 1. A confined space entry permit (Appendix A will be completed, signed and dated by the confined space entry supervisor. A copy of the confined space entry permit will be forwarded to Occupational Health and Safety and kept on file a minimum of three years. The original confined space entry permit will be kept on file by the department utilizing the confined space entry permit. 2. A list of confined spaces and permit entry confined spaces (Appendix B) will be maintained by each department that performs confined space entry. Permit required confined spaces, when identified, shall be appropriately labeled Danger- Permit Required Confined Space-Authorized Entrants Only. 10

11 Appendix A PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT Location Work Description Work Site Area/Department: Authorized Entrants Entry Supervisor Attendant Duration of Permit Date Time Expires AIR MONITORING RESULTS - Time Initals Oxygen >19.5% <23.5% Check Appropriate Box Combustible Carbon Gas<10% LFL Monoxide <35 PPM Other Toxic Gases <PEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - Check Appropriate Boxes Ventilation Types Lockout Electrical Access & Rescue Natural Draft Ventilation Forced Air Ventilation Continuous Local Exhaust Ventilation Other Deenergized/Lockout Switch/Try-Out Pipelines Broken, Capped or Blanked Double Block & Bleed Lines Purge Flush & Vent System Interconnected Pipe Valve Closed & Locked Lock Valves to Prevent Opening Tags or Signs Attached to Valves and Switches None Required GFCI for All Equipment Low Voltage Lights Water Vapor-Proof Lights Explosion-Proof Equipment Flashlights Other Scaffold Ladder Safety Belt Full Body Harness Wrist Harness Retractable Lifeline Lanyard Stand-by Rescue Person City of Kent Rescue has been notified Other PPE Monitoring Other Limitations Coveralls Gloves Boots Respirator Continuous Periodic, Frequency For Pre-job Briefing Attachment Sheet Additional Permits Welding Other None Required None Required Fire Extinguisher Warning Signs & Barriers None Required I have supervised or conducted each requirement on this permit. This work can be done safely and in compliance with the rules of this company. Entry Supervisor Date Permit Canceled Entry Supervisor Date Time Reason 11

12 Appendix B Currently being revised. LISTING OF ENCLOSED SPACES 1. All building utility tunnels. 2. All building pipechases. 3. All building air handlers. 4. All building crawlspaces. Currently being revised LISTING OF PERMIT-ENTRY CONFINED SPACES 1. Phase I sewage lift station 2. White Hall tower sump pumps 3. High voltage manholes 4. Gene Michael baseball field backflow preventer pit 5. Sanitary and storm manholes 6. Hot water storage tanks- Koonce, Leebrick, Wright, Tri-Towers mechanical room, Korb, Verder, Prentice and Dunbar 7. Steam pits or vaults at Satterfield (2), between Deweese (west side) and LCM, (2) Centennial Counrt E-east and south side, and Terrace Hall parking lot south side 8. Tower water storage tanks at Smith, Satterfield, LCM and Math 9. Dilution tank at Cunningham Hall 12

13 Appendix C Standard Language for use in University Contracts that Require Contractor Entry into Confined Spaces at Kent State University. Contractor shall provide all personnel and equipment necessary to comply with confined space entry procedures established in code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part (Permit Required Confined Spaces). Contractor shall treat all confined spaces encountered on Kent State University as Permit-required confined spaces unless the Contractor s preentry procedures indicate otherwise. Contractor shall provide appropriate air monitoring equipment, employee training permit forms, rescue procedures, personnel, and other means necessary to safely and independently enter confined spaces at Kent State University. 13