Confined Space Entry Issues

1. Confined Space Entry Issues Craig Schroll, CSP, CUSA FIRECON Craig@FIRECON.com

2. Overview of Program • Overall confined space issues • Ways to address these issues • Strategies for entries • Types of confined spaces • Hot work

3. The Problem • We continue to kill & injure people • Lack of warning • Lucky versus smart

4. Compliance Remember that compliance is the price of admission not the achievement of excellence.

5. OSHA Information • Standard • Compliance Instruction • Interpretive letters • All are available on the web site – www.osha.gov

6. Other Standards • ANSI Z117 • NFPA • API • International • Australian • United Kingdom • European Union

7. Hazard + Exposure = Risk

8. Risk Assessment

10. Design • Eliminate the confined space • Eliminate the need for entry • Eliminate hazards • Minimize risk

11. Eliminate Confined Space • Change access • Design in hazard elimination

12. Eliminate Need for Entry • Design space/process to not require internal maintenance • Access ports • Pull out panels • Pull up equipment i.e. pumps

13. Eliminate Hazards • Design confined space with hazard elimination in mind • For example, improved isolation systems

14. Minimize Risk • Reduce number of entries • Reduce duration of entries • Reduce number of personnel

15. Types of Spaces • Confined space • Permit-required confined space • Reclassified space • Space eligible for alternate procedures • Non-permit space

16. Confined Space Large enough to bodily enter A space must have all three characteristics to meet the confined space definition. Limited or restricted access Not designed for continuous occupancy Confined Space

17. Permit-Required Confined Space Has or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere? • Oxygen deficient (19.5% or less) • Oxygen enriched (23.5% or more) • Flammable (10% LEL or more) • Toxic (above PEL) • Combustible dust (at or above LEL) • Other IDLH

18. Permit-Required Confined Space Has the potential for engulfment? Engulfment may occur by materials being introduced or removed from the space or by an entrant being drawn down into materials.

19. Permit-Required Confined Space 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 crosssection. Internal configuration hazard?

20. Permit-Required Confined Space Any other recognized serious safety or health hazard? Other hazards capable of causing death, serious physical harm, or interfering with the entrants ability to escape.

21. Non-Permit Confined Space Does not contain or, have potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.

22. Reclassification • No atmospheric hazards • Eliminate all hazards • Document reclassification • Certification available to employees

23. Elimination versus Control • Elimination means hazard cannot return during entry operation. • Control means that return of hazard is possible if control measures fail.

24. Alternate Procedures • Atmosphere is only hazard • Ventilation can make space safe • Monitoring data • Data available to employee

25. Alternate Procedures • Safe to remove entry cover • Guard opening • Test atmosphere • Continuous ventilation • Periodic atmospheric testing • Written certification

26. Examples

32. Recognition Recognition of an area as a confined space is a critical first step to safe operations.

34. Confined Space Hazards • Atmospheric • Content • Potential Energy • Environment in Space • Configuration of Space • Nature of Work • External • Miscellaneous

35. Sources of Hazards • Inside the space • External to the space • From the work

36. General Requirements • Evaluate workplace • Inform employees • Develop & Implement written program

37. Programs • General policy • Specific guidelines • Training requirements • Permit system

38. Programs • Supervisor’s role • Employee’s role • Contractor procedures • Emergency procedures • Monitoring system

39. Confined Space Policy & Procedures • Simple • Brief • Useful • Clearly communicated • Consistently enforced

40. Evaluating Your Confined Spaces

41. Confined Space Inventory • Survey entire facility • Identify all potential CS • Classify spaces • Maintain documentation

42. Confined Space Evaluation • Evaluate prior to entry (OSHA) • Evaluate initially from a practical perspective • Equipment • Procedures • Training

43. Confined Space Evaluation • Must be conducted • Maintain documentation • May be electronic • May be a form • Actually use the information • Update at least annually • Teach people to do review prior to entries

44. Safe System of Work • Risk assessment • Hazard evaluation • Work process that eliminates hazards when possible and controls them when not • Safe system of work • Catch variations

45. Planning Entry • Is entry necessary? • Work plan • Space preparation • Permit • Briefing

46. Briefing • Hazards • Permit items • Job tasks • Emergency procedures

47. Job Surveys • Inspect area • Review work • Confirm safety issues • Review preparations • Check PPE • Check equipment & supplies

48. Entry Supervisors • Role is much more than a signature on a form • Actually evaluate and resolve hazards

49. Training • Establish and maintain competence • All personnel involved in entries must be competent

50. Program Audit • Review permits • Update surveys • Update policies & procedures • Update training • Review equipment condition & needs • Job site surveys