CONFINED SPACE ENTRY. This easy-to-use Leader s Guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation. Featured are:

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1 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY This easy-to-use Leader s Guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation. Featured are: INTRODUCTION: A brief description of the program and the subject that it addresses. PROGRAM OUTLINE: Summarizes the program content. If the program outline is discussed before the video is presented, the entire program will be more meaningful and successful. PREPARING FOR AND CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION: These sections will help you set up the training environment, help you relate the program to site-specific incidents, and provide program objectives for focusing your presentation. REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Questions may be copied and given to participants to document how well they understood the information that was presented. Answers to the review questions are provided separately. INTRODUCTION OSHA estimates that workers are killed and thousands more injured annually in confined spaces. These fatalities occur because most workers and rescuers alike do not understand the hazards posed by confined spaces. To better prepare workers for confined spaces and to make the spaces safe, OSHA enacted the "Permit Required Confined Space" regulation (29 CFR, Part ) in This program details the procedures set forth by the OSHA regulations that protect workers from the dangers of confined spaces. These include safe work practices and how to identify and control hazards involved in confined space operations. PROGRAM OUTLINE THE NATURE OF CONFINED SPACES A confined space is an area built in such a way that an employee may enter the space to perform work assignments; the space has limited means for entry/exit and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Examples of confined spaces include pits, tanks, silos, storage bins, hoppers, etc. The space may contain materials that could engulf someone inside or be shaped in a manner in which a worker may become trapped or be asphyxiated. The space may contain too much or too little oxygen. THE WRITTEN PERMIT SPACE PROGRAM OSHA requires each facility to have a program that addresses identifying confined spaces, the erection of barriers and shields, hazard evaluation and the use of entry permits. The program also provides regulations for all types of equipment required for work in confined spaces: testing and monitoring equipment ventilation equipment communication equipment lighting equipment personal protective equipment rescue and emergency equipment The program defines the roles of the entry team and will explain the proper procedures for entry and exit operations. The program will explain a method to review entry operations and will contain proper procedures to conclude an entry operation and cancel a permit.

2 The entry permit includes the following information: a description of the space, date and duration of entry, a list of involved persons and potential hazards. It also includes hazard control methods, test results, required equipment and rescue information. TESTING The entry supervisor must make sure the space's atmosphere is free of hazards by performing three tests in their listed order. The tests are for oxygen content, flammable materials and toxic contaminants. Hazardous levels must be controlled when they are discovered before entry is allowed. Oxygen levels must be maintained between 19.5% and 23.5% ENTRY TEAM MEMBERS The entry supervisor authorizes and terminates entry operations. He will ensure that operations stay within the guidelines set by the permit and halt work if hazards develop. The entrant actually enters and works in the space; he must have training on hazards, equipment use and safe entry procedures and be able to demonstrate his abilities. The attendant is stationed outside the confined space and monitors the space for changing atmospheric conditions; he is always ready to perform other duties. Duties the attendant may perform include monitoring the work inside the space, assisting the entrant to enter and exit the space and watching for symptoms of exposure to hazards. RESCUE OPERATIONS A facility with workers in confined spaces must have either an "in-house" rescue team or an external group. Members must receive specific training. The facility must keep the outside group up to date on all potential rescue situations. The outside group must also be given access to the facility's confined spaces for planning and practice sessions. SPACES WITH ONLY ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS If a forced air ventilation system controls the atmospheric hazards and they are the only hazards, the facility does not have to prepare a Permit Space Program or need permits. Although training must still be done, the facility doesn't need rescue plans or equipment. Periodic monitoring must still be done in these spaces to insure that the atmosphere does not become hazardous again. NON-PERMIT SPACES If a space can be proven hazard-free without entry, a written permit is not required and employees can work in the space by themselves. Lockout/tagout procedures and blanking are methods that facilities use to establish spaces free of hazards before work begins. With all hazards controlled or eliminated, a written certification can reclassify the space as non-permit required or hazardous atmosphere only. CONTINUING SYSTEMS Continuing systems such as sewers cannot be completely isolated and the atmosphere in the space may suddenly and unpredictably become hazardous. Due to the length of time employees spend inside some continuous systems, the confined space becomes their "normal work environ-ment."

3 OSHA recommends that in continuous systems, entrants should always carry atmospheric monitoring equipment and use special equipment such as SCBAs and small boats upon entry. OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS When outside contractors perform confined space work, the host facility must inform the contractor of the existence of permit-spaces and all safety rules required for entry. The contractor must actively seek this information and explain to the host the entry program that will be used. Good coordination and communication must be maintained between the contractor and the host, especially when employees each are working in a close proximity.

4 PREPARE FOR THE SAFETY MEETING OR TRAINING SESSION Review each section of this Leader's Guide as well as the videotape. Here are a few suggestions for using the program: Make everyone aware of the importance the company places on health and safety and how each person must be an active member of the safety team. Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program content by presenting the information in the program outline. Copy the review questions included in this Leader's Guide and ask each participant to complete them. Copy the attendance record as needed and have each participant sign the form. Maintain the attendance record and each participant's test paper as written documentation of the training performed. Here are some suggestions for preparing your videotape equipment and the room or area you use: Check the room or area for quietness, adequate ventilation and temperature, lighting and unobstructed access. Check the seating arrangement and the audiovisual equipment to ensure that all participants will be able to see and hear the videotape program. Place or secure extension cords to prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard. CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION Begin the meeting by welcoming the participants. Introduce yourself and give each person the opportunity to become acquainted if there are new people joining the training session. Explain that the primary purpose of the program is to discuss the permit-required confined space entry program. Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program content by presenting the information in the program outline. Lead discussions about dangerous situations or related accidents. Use the review questions to check how well the program participants understood the information. After watching the videotape program, the viewer will be able to identify the following: The types of confined space entry and the permit entry system; The responsibilities of entrants, attendants and entry supervisors; Non-permit spaces, continuing systems and entry by outside contractors.

5 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY REVIEW QUESTIONS Name Date The following review questions are provided to determine how well you understand the information presented in this program. 1. Besides workers, many victims who die in confined spaces are would-be. 2. The type of equipment needed for confined space entry can be found in your facility s Written Permit Space Program. a. true b. false 3. The is responsible for evaluating the condition of the space before signing the entry permit. 4. The attendant must receive all of the training given to the. 5. A sewer, for example is a that requires special guidelines for confined space work. a. non-permit space b. space with only atmospheric hazards c. continuing system 6. A facility conducting confined space operations must have an in-house organization to conduct rescue and emergency services. a. true b. false 7. List two things that are tested for when determining if a confined space s atmosphere is free of hazards. 8. Employees can work in a non-permit space by themselves with no attendant on hand. a. true b. false

6 ANSWERS TO THE REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. rescuers 2. a 3. entry supervisor 4. attendant 5. c 6. b 7. oxygen content, flammable materials, toxic contaminants 8. a