Confined Space. Entry. Course Preview TRENCHSAFETY

Transcription

1 Course Preview Confined Space Entry A review of industry standards, practices, and regulatory requirements including OSHA s 29 CFR , Permit- Required Confined Spaces (General Industry Standard) TRENCHSAFETY AND SUPPLY, INC. Memphis, Tennessee (901) (800) North Little Rock, Arkansas (501) (800)

2 iconfined Space Entry Manual Important Notice TrenchSafety and Supply, Inc. designs its training programs to acquaint participants with industry standards, accepted practices, and regulatory requirements. However: 1.) Regulatory requirements, as well as best-industry practices, constantly change. These materials address some, but not all, of those regulatory requirements and best-industry practices as of the date of publication (see footer at the bottom of each page). Participants who are responsible for employee safety must stay abreast of those changes. 2.) Each work site offers different safety challenges and requirements. It is impossible for any training program to address every situation that may be confronted in the field. Therefore, participants should continue to study safety training materials and other safety information, and should always apply Safety First practices and techniques at the work site. TrenchSafety and Supply, Inc. certifies participants attendance at its training programs. However, TrenchSafety and Supply, Inc. cannot attest to any individual participant s proficiency and competence, since those factors depend upon: 1.) How well the participant understood, absorbed, and retained the information that he or she reviewed during the training program and was contained in the training program materials, and 2.) The participant s continued study and practice of techniques that insure safety on all work sites. Construction techniques and equipment usage must be in accordance with all governmental regulations and manufacturers instructions. All orders placed with TrenchSafety, for goods and services, including training, are subject to the terms, conditions, and warranty limitations contained in TrenchSafety s Rental and Sales Agreements. First Edition Updated July 2009 TrenchSafety and Supply, Inc Ferrell Park Cove Memphis, Tennessee (901) (800) (901) FAX ii Copyright 2009 TrenchSafety and Supply, Inc.

3 Table of Contents Confined Space Entry Manuali Section 1 Course & Program Description Part 1 Overview Part 2 Why is This Topic So Important? Part 3 What is a Confined Space? Part 4 What is a Permit-Required Confined Space? Part 5 What is a Permit-Required Confined Space Program? Part 6 What is the Permit System? Part 7 What is a Permit? Part 8 What are the Personnel & Training Requirements? Part 9 What are the Responsibilities of Host Employers & Contractors?.. 21 Part 10 What are the Hazards? Part 11 How Do I Eliminate or Control Atmospheric Hazards? Part 12 How Do I Eliminate or Control Physical Hazards? Part 13 How Do I Eliminate or Control Psychological Hazards? Part 14 What About Emergencies? Part 15 Sewer System Entry Part 16 What are Other Types of Confined Spaces? Part 17 Conclusion Section 2 The OSHA Standards Sec Permit-required confined spaces Appendix A Permit-Required Confined Space Decision Flow Chart Appendix B Procedures for Atmospheric Testing Appendix C Examples of Permit-required Confined Space Programs Appendix D Sample Permits Appendix E Sewer System Entry Appendix F Rescue Team or Rescue Service Evaluation Criteria (Non-Mandatory) OSHA General Duty Clause of The Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of Additional Standards that Address Confined Space Entry Table of Contents continued iii

4 iconfined Space Entry Manual Section 3 Permit-Required Entry Program SAMPLE Permit-Required Entry Program SAMPLE Confined Space Entry Permit SAMPLE Confined Space HOT WORK Permit Section 4 Useful Information The Ins & Outs of Confined Spaces Excavation Safety News JANUARY 2005 Proper Use of Ventilation in Confined Spaces Excavation Safety News OCTOBER 2006 It s a GAS! Utilizing Atmospheric Monitors for Confined-Space Work Excavation Safety News MAY 2009 The Heat Equation The Cold Stress Equations Verification of Calibration for Direct-Reading Portable Gas Monitors OSHA SHIB Confined Space Hazards a Threat to Farmers OSHA s Lockout/Tagout Standard Hazard Communication Standard OSHA Fact Sheet Suspension Trauma / Orthostatic Intolerance OSHA SHIB Combustible Dust Explosions OSHA Fact Sheet iv

5 PART 1 - OVERVIEW You have a job to do. If the job involves a confined space, there can be significant dangers. You want to complete the job on time and within budget. You also want to do the job safely. Today s program is going to focus on that process. Confined Space Entry Manuali The questions we will cover are: What is a confined space? What is a permit-required confined space? What is a permit-required confined space program? What is a permit system? What is a permit? What are the personnel and training requirements to enter a confined space? What are the responsibilities of host employers and their contractors? What are the hazards? How do we eliminate or control the hazards? What about emergencies? Are there any special requirements for sewer entry? Are there other types of confined spaces? Workers enter a very active 42" sanitary sewer at a project in Memphis. They had completed training, and conducted a thorough hazard analysis before entry. The workers used multiple ventilators, a gas monitor, a fall-protection/retrieval system, personal protective equipment, and a Confined Space Entry Permit to safely complete the job. TM Trench ManTM says... An important first step is to STOP and always ask this question: Is it absolutely necessary to put someone into this confined space? The ideal situation is to figure out how to get the job done from outside the space, without exposing any workers to the hazards, or potential hazards, of the space. 1

6 iconfined Space Entry Manual Frequently Asked Question about the Responsibility of Employers... Q Will I be certified to serve as an Entry Supervisor, Attendant, or Entrant? A No. OSHA does not provide specific certification criteria. Q OK, who determines whether someone is properly trained? A That is your employer s responsibility. Further, keep in mind that the training is situational. Because of your specific training, your employer might determine that you are qualified to serve as an Entry Supervisor for a utility project. However, you might not be qualified to serve in that same capacity at petrochemical plant. Q How often is refresher training required? A OSHA says that all workers must be properly trained by their employers to do their jobs safely. Most safety professionals say that because of the importance of confined space entry safety and the consequences that can occur (serious injury or death) workers need at least annual refresher training. Additional training is needed if there are indications of safety problems, or there are changes in work-place conditions or responsibilities 2

7 PART 2 WHY IS THIS TOPIC SO IMPORTANT? It s simple really. Each year, almost 100 deaths happen in confined spaces across the U.S. Many of those deaths occur because people do not recognize a confined space, they don t trust their senses, they underestimate the dangers, they do not stay on-guard, or they attempt to rescue others. What kills these workers? Suffocation from a lack of oxygen Exposure to toxic fumes and vapors Fire or explosion Being struck by objects or equipment Engulfment by unstable materials Fatal injuries from falls Further investigation reveals: 65% die from air quality problems. 29% who die are supervisors, foremen or managers. 60% of the people that die are the rescuers themselves 65% die in a space defined as ready to kill from the moment the cover is opened. Confined Space Entry Manuali 3

8 iconfined Space Entry Manual Frequently Asked Question about the OSHA Regulations... Q My company is involved only in new construction. We seldom do remodeling or maintenance work in an industrial environment. Does the General Industry Standard apply to me? A The simple answer is Yes. The first paragraph of OSHA S General Industry Confined Space standard is somewhat misleading. It says: (a) Scope and application. This section contains requirement for practices and procedures to protect employees in general industry from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces. This section does not apply to agriculture, to construction, or shipyard employment (Parts 1928, 1926, and 1915 of this chapter, respectively). Many safety professionals and OSHA consider the standard as the latest, greatest, and most complete confined space standard. As a result, OSHA will frequently issue a citation under the General Duty Clause, and cite as an example of what the contractor should have done to prevent a serious injury or death. Note: The General Duty Clause can be found on page 77 of this Manual. 4

9 Part 3 What is a Confined Space? The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a Confined Space as: Being large enough and so configured that a worker can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits); and Is not designed for continuous worker occupancy. All three criteria must be met to be considered a confined space by OSHA. Confined Space Entry Manuali Several examples of confined spaces that meet all three of OSHA s criteria. 5

10 iconfined Space Entry Manual Confined space openings are limited primarily by size and/or location. Openings are usually thought of as being relatively small, compared to the confined space itself. However, there can be any number of variations in the restrictions placed on an opening. For example, an opening the size of a standard door will usually disqualify the space as a confined workspace. If, however, safety clothing, a door size apparatus, and other support equipment are added, a door-size opening restricts free and easy egress. The space suddenly has one characteristic of a confined workspace. Do not let the size of an opening give you a false sense of security. For some confined work spaces, the opening can be very large. Common examples are open-topped spaces such as pits, degreasers, excavation sites, and ship holds. Access to these spaces may require ladders, hoists, or other devices. Free and unrestricted egress from these spaces may be difficult or even impossible in an emergency. Workers are considered to have entered a confined space when any part of their body breaks the plane of the opening to the space. This worker has broken the plane of the opening and has thus entered the space. 6

11 NOTES Confined Space Entry Manuali 7

12 This Confined Space Entry Manual can be a life-saving reference book for contractors, sub contractors, utilities... anyone involved in working in confined spaces! Included in the Confined Space Entry Manual: 50+ Helpful Photographs and Illustrations 4 Detailed Decision Trees and Practical Data Tables 4 Frequently Asked Questions That Help Clarify Various Aspects of Confined Space Safety 5 Technical Tips from Trench Man That Provide Even More Vital Information Reprints of the Actual OSHA Standards starting on page 45 A Sample Permit Required Program see Section 3 A Helpful Information, Section 4, with: > OSHA Fact Sheets > Reprinted Newsletters Loaded with Helpful Information, Photos, and More > Reprinted White Papers and Journal Articles With Important Information On Other Hazards Related to Confined Spaces This Manual works fine as an invaluable stand-alone reference book, but it is also a companion volume to the popular Confined Space Entry Training programs offered by TrenchSafety and Supply. For information on this and other of their training courses, contact TrenchSafety and Supply at (800) or ISBN: TRENCHSAFETY AND SUPPLY, INC Ferrell Park Cove Memphis, Tennessee (901) (800) (901) Copyright 2009 TrenchSafety and Supply, Inc.