29 CFR 29 CFR
1910.1461910.146
CONFINED
SPACE
ENTRY
What is a Confined Space?
Is large enough and so
configured that an employee
can enter bodily and perform
work;
Has limited or restricted
means of entry or exit;
Is not designed for
continuous human
occupancy.
22
A space that:
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
19.5 % Minimum acceptable oxygen level.
15 - 19% Decreased ability to work
strenuously. Impair coordination.
Early symptoms.
12-14% Respiration increases. Poor judgment.
10-12% Respiration increases. Lips blue.
8-10% Mental failure. Fainting. Nausea
Unconsciousness. Vomiting.
6-8% 8 minutes - fatal, 6 minutes - 50%
fatal 4-5 minutes - possible recovery.
4-6% Coma in 40 seconds. Death
1414
Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
•Oxygen level above 23.5%.
•Causes flammable and combustible materials to
burn violently when ignited.
•Hair, clothing, materials, etc.
•Oil soaked clothing and materials.
•Never use pure oxygen to ventilate.
•Never store or place compressed tanks in a
confined space.
1515
Flammable Atmospheres
•2 Critical Factors:
Oxygen content in the air.
Presence of a flammable gas, or vapor
Presence of dust (visibility of 5’ or less)
•Proper air/gas mixture can lead to explosion
•Typical Ignition Sources:
Sparking or electric tool.
Welding / cutting operations.
1616
Toxic Atmospheres
•Product stored in a confined space:
Gases released when cleaning.
Materials absorbed into walls of confined space.
Decomposition of materials in the confined space.
•Work performed in a confined space:
Welding, cutting, brazing, soldering.
Painting, scraping, sanding, degreasing.
Sealing, bonding, melting.
•Areas adjacent to a confined space.
1717
Hydrogen Sulfide
•Decomposition of materials. Human waste.
•Rotten egg odor at low concentrations.
•Possibly no warning at high concentrations.
PPM Effect Time
10 ppmPermissible Exposure Level8 Hours
50 - 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat1 Hour
200 - 300 Significant Irritation 1 Hour
500 -700 Unconsciousness, Death 1/2 - 1
Hour
>1000Unconsciousness, Death Minutes
1818
1919
Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide
•Odorless, Colorless Gas.Odorless, Colorless Gas.
•Combustion By-Product.Combustion By-Product.
•Quickly collapse at high concentrations.Quickly collapse at high concentrations.
PPMPPM EffectEffect TimeTime
3535 Permissible Exposure LevelPermissible Exposure Level8 Hours8 Hours
200200 Slight headache, discomfortSlight headache, discomfort3 Hours3 Hours
600600 Headache, discomfortHeadache, discomfort 1 Hour1 Hour
1000-20001000-2000Confusion, nausea, headacheConfusion, nausea, headache2 Hours2 Hours
1000-20001000-2000Tendency to staggerTendency to stagger 1 1/2 Hours1 1/2 Hours
1000-20001000-2000Slight heart palpitationSlight heart palpitation 30 Min.30 Min.
2000-25002000-2500UnconsciousnessUnconsciousness 30 Min.30 Min.
Engulfment Hazards
•Loose, granular materials stored in bins and
hoppers - grain, sand, coal, etc.
•Crusting and bridging below a worker.
•Flooding of confined space.
•Water or sewage flow.
2020
Other Hazards
•Noise
Amplified due to acoustics within the space.
Damaged hearing, affect communication.
•Slick / Wet Surfaces
Slips and falls.
Increased chance of electric shock.
•Falling Objects
Topside openings expose workers inside confined space
to falling objects.
2121
Testing The Atmosphere
•Verify presence of safe work atmosphere.
•Test all areas of a confined space.
Top, Middle, Bottom
•Methane is lighter than air.
•Carbon Monoxide is the same as air.
•Hydrogen Sulfide is heavier than air.
•Oxygen Deficiency.
2222
Test the Atmosphere
Check for Oxygen Content:
At least 19.5% and less than 23.5%
Check for Combustibles:
Less than 10% of the LEL
Check for Toxic Gasses:
Most commonly carbon monoxide (PEL <35
ppm)
or any other hazardous materials as
determined by the use of the space.
2323
In this order:
2424
2525
Ventilation
•First option to correct problems.
•Must be aware of hazards you are trying to
correct in the confined space.
•Air intake in a safe location to draw fresh air
only.
•Continuous ventilation whenever possible.
•Retest the confined space before entry.
2626
Ventilate the Space
Use mechanical ventilation
Fans
Air horns
Ventilate at the rate of at least
four (4) volumes per hour
Larger spaces require more
ventilation
Make sure air supply is not
contaminated
Ventilation air supply must be from
fresh air uncontaminated with
flammables, toxins, etc.
2727
2828
Permit-Required Confined Space
A Permit-Required
Confined Space is
confined space that
has one or more of
the following
characteristics:
Excavation more than 1.2 meter
deep are treated as ‘Confined
Spaces
Contains or has the potential to
contain a hazardous atmosphere;
Contains a material that has the
potential for engulfing an
entrant;
Has an internal configuration
such that an entrant could
become trapped or asphyxiated;
or
Contains any other serious safety
or health hazard.
2929
Permit Required Confined Space
3030
Required Elements:
Written Program
Space Specific Entry Procedures
Training
Duties of Authorized Entrants
Duties of Attendants
Duties of Entry Supervisors
Rescue and Emergency Services
Employee Participation
Permit-Required Confined Space
Entry Procedure
Isolate the space
Ventilate the space
Conduct Tailboard
Complete permit
Test the atmosphere
Enter the space
3131
Isolate the Space
from all hazards
Close Valves
Double block & bleed, or
Blank flange
Empty the Space
Depressurize, vent & drain
Lockout/Tagout Equipment
Electrical sources
Rotating/reciprocating parts
Hazardous materials
Clean residue from the space
3232
Isolation
Lockout/Tagout
Blinding/ De-blinding
Double Block and Bleed
3333
Ventilate the Space
Use mechanical ventilation
Fans
Air horns
Ventilate at the rate of at least
four (4) volumes per hour
Larger spaces require more
ventilation
Make sure air supply is not
contaminated
Ventilation air supply must be from
fresh air uncontaminated with
flammables, toxins, etc.
3434
3535
3636
Other Control Techniques
Inerting (Note: Inerting with a gas such as
nitrogen or carbon dioxide will result in
an oxygen deficient atmosphere)
Flushing
3737
Conduct a Tailboard Briefing
Entire crew must attend
Attendants, entrants, entry supervisor
Review hazards of entry and work
Review PPE
Review procedure for contacting rescue
verify rescue available
Complete permit
3838
Complete Entry Permit Form
Permit must be correctly and
completely filled out prior to entry.
Permit must be activated by Entry
Supervisor’s signature to be valid.
No entry is allowed without a valid
permit.
Permits are valid for up to one shift.
When work is completed, permit
and tailboard form should be
returned to issuer.
Closed permits must be kept on file.
3939
Test the Atmosphere
Check for Oxygen Content:
At least 19.5% and less than 23.5%
Check for Combustibles:
Less than 10% of the LEL
Check for Toxic Gasses:
Most commonly carbon monoxide (PEL <35
ppm)
or any other hazardous materials as
determined by the use of the space.
4040
In this order:
NOTICE:
Any time a limit is exceeded, no
matter what the reason, all
personnel shall immediately exit the
space, and no others shall enter until
atmospheric conditions are returned
to safe levels.
4141
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS!THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS!
Atmosphere Testing Shall Be
Performed:
Prior to every entry when the space is vacant;
After a 10 minute ventilation period (if
ventilation is necessary);
At least hourly for permit-required confined
spaces.
More frequently, if conditions or suspicions
warrant.
4242
4343
Means of emergency rescue
must be readily available
to the confined space
entry attendant for
emergency
extrication of
entrants.
Enter the Space and Proceed
with work:
An attendant shall be posted near the
entrance for the duration of the work. He
shall be in constant communication with
the entrants while the job is in progress.
All entrants shall sign the sign in log when
entering the space and sign out when
exiting.
The attendant shall maintain the permit
and sign in log for the duration of the
work.
4444
4545
4646
4747
4848
The attendant should
attempt to remove the
entrant from the confined
space using tripods, hoist, and
lifelines. Attendants are NOT
TO ENTER CONFINED
SPACES. Lethal hazards may
be present within the confined
space. Only properly
equipped
and trained emergency rescue
personnel may enter confined
spaces to make rescues.
4949
5050
5151
When the Job is Done:
Remove all personnel, tools, and debris
from the space. Sign off the log.
Close the space.
Close the permit.
Review the job with the host employer
(hazards, problems, other employers, etc.)
5252
Entrant Responsibilities
To assure that the space has been adequately
ventilated, isolated, emptied, or otherwise
made safe for entry.
To immediately exit a space, without
question, upon word of the attendant, no
matter what the reason.
To follow all safety rules and procedures
that apply to the job.
To be familiar with the work to be
performed and the procedures that apply to
the job.
To use the appropriate PPE whenever
necessary.
5353
Attendant
An individual stationed outside one or
more permit spaces who monitors the
authorized entrants and performs all
attendant’s duties assigned in the
employer’s permit space program
5454
Duties of Attendants
Knowledge of the hazards of the space
Aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard
exposure in authorized entrants
Continuously maintains an accurate count of
authorized entrants
5555
Duties of Attendants
Remains outside the space during
operations until relieved by another
attendant
Communicates with authorized entrants
Monitors activities inside and outside the
space
5656
Duties of Attendants
Summons rescue and other emergency
services
Performs non-entry rescues as specified by
the employer's rescue procedure
Performs NO duties that might interfere
with monitoring and protecting the
entrants
5757
Supervisor Responsibilities
To assure adequate protection is
provided to the entrants by verifying
adequate lockout/tagout and that all
hazards are securely isolated.
To support the attendant’s authority
in controlling access to a confined
space.
To verify that all personnel have
exited prior to closing the space.
To assure that all personnel involved
are aware of the hazards associated
with the space.
To assure that rescue services are
available prior to entry.
5858