Module 15: Permit-Required Confined Space Entry

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1. Slide 1

   MODULE 15

   • Permit-Required Confined Space Entry
2. Slide 2

   CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

   • FOR EXAMPLE…
   • Subtitles & Transitions
3. Slide 3

   Confined Spaces

   • What confined spaces exist on oil and gas well sites?
   • What hazards may exist in these confined spaces?
4. Slide 4

   Identifying Confined Spaces

   • Large Enough to Enter and Work
   • Limited Openings for Entry and Exit
   • Not Designed for Continuous Worker Occupancy
5. Slide 5

   FOR EXAMPLE…

   • Subtitles & Transitions
6. Slide 6

   FOR EXAMPLE…

   • Subtitles & Transitions
7. Slide 7

   Categorizing Work Space

   • Space large enough to enter and
   • Limited or restricted entry or exit and
   • Not designed for continuous worker occupancy.
   • YES
   • Permit-
   • Required
   • Confined
   • Space
   • YES
   • NO
   • Not a Confined Space
   • Confined Space
   • Hazardous Atmosphere or
   • Engulfment Hazard
   • or
   • Configuration Hazard or
   • Any other recognized serious hazard
   • Non
   • NO
   • Permit-
   • Required
   • Space
8. Slide 8

   Permit-Required Confined Spaces

   • 1910.146
9. Slide 9

   Applicable regulations

   • 29 CFR 1910.146
   • General industry only – does not apply to construction operations
10. Slide 10

    (b) Definitions

    • Entry
    • Passing through opening (any part of entrant’s body breaks its plane)
    • Includes ensuing work activities
11. Slide 11

    (b) Definitions

    • Hazardous Atmosphere
    • 1. Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10% of its LFL
    • 2. Airborne dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL (Rule of thumb: vision at <5’)
    • 3. Oxygen <19.5% or >23.5%
    • 4. Atmospheric concentrations of substances above PEL
    • 5. Other atmospheric conditions: IDLH.
12. Slide 12

    (b) Definitions

    • Engulfment
    • The surrounding & effective capture of a person by a liquid or finely divided (flammable) solid substance that can:
    • Be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system
    • Exert enough force on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction, or crushing.
13. Slide 13

    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
14. Slide 14

    (b) Definitions

    • Configuration Hazard
    • Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated
    • By inwardly converging walls, or
    • By a floor which slopes downward & tapers to a smaller cross-section
15. Slide 15

    Hazards of Confined Spaces

    • Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
    • Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
    • Flammable Atmospheres
    • Toxic Atmospheres
    • Temperature Extremes
    • Engulfment Hazards
    • Equipment (machinery, electrical)
16. Slide 16

    Other Hazards

    • Noise
    • Amplified due to acoustics within the space
    • Damages 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
17. Slide 17

    Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

    • 19.5 % Minimum acceptable oxygen level.
    • 15 - 19% Decreased ability to work strenuously.
    • Impaired 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.
18. Slide 18

    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
19. Slide 19

    Flammable Atmospheres

    • 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
    • Smoking
20. Slide 20

    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
21. Slide 21

    Hydrogen Sulfide

    • Decomposition of materials, human waste
    • Naturally present in some oil/gas reservoirs
    • Rotten egg odor at low concentrations
    • Possibly no warning at high concentrations
    • PPM Effect
    • Time
    • Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
    • 50 - 100
    • Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
    • 200 - 300
    • Significant Irritation
    • 1 Hour
    • 500 - 700
    • Unconsciousness, Death
    • 1/2 - 1
    • Hour
    • >1000 Unconsciousness, Death
    • Minutes
22. Slide 22

    Carbon Monoxide

    • Odorless, colorless gas
    • Combustion by-product
    • Quickly collapse at high concentrations
    • PPM Effect
    • 1000-2000
    • 1000-2000
    • 1000-2000
    • 2000-2500
    • Time
    • Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
    • Slight headache, discomfort
    • 3 Hours
    • Headache, discomfort
    • 1 Hour
    • Confusion, nausea, headache 2 Hours
    • Tendency to stagger
    • 1 1/2 Hours
    • Slight heart palpitation
    • 30 Min.
    • Unconsciousness
    • 30 Min.
23. Slide 23

    Temperature Extremes

    • Extreme heat & cold
    • Steam cleaning
    • Humidity factors
    • Extremely cold liquids
    • Work processes inside the confined space can increase temperature extremes
    • Personal protective equipment
24. Slide 24

    29 CFR 1910.146(c)

    • General Requirements
25. Slide 25

    1910.146(c) General Requirements

    • 1. Employer shall evaluate workplace
    • 2. If workplace contains permit spaces, signs shall be posted
    • Give notice of Existence
    • Location
    • Danger
    • 3. Effective measures shall be taken to prevent entry if not allowed
26. Slide 26

    1910.146(c) General Requirements

    • 4. If entry is allowed, a permit space program must be:
    • Written
    • Implemented
    • Made available to employees/representatives
27. Slide 27

    1910.146(c)(5) Alternate procedures

    • Compliance may be simplified (paragraphs (d)-(f) and (h)-(k) exempted) if:
    • Can demonstrate that the only hazard is atmospheric
    • Can demonstrate that continuous forced air ventilation can control the hazard
    • Supportive monitoring & inspection data is developed
28. Slide 28

    1910.146(c)(5) Alternate procedures

    • Compliance may be simplified (paragraphs (d)-(f) and (h)-(k) exempted) if:
    • Entry to obtain initial supportive data is made in full compliance
    • Qualifying info of (A)-(C) above is shared with each entrant
    • Further entries are made in compliance with (c)(5)(ii)
29. Slide 29

    FOR EXAMPLE…

    • Subtitles & Transitions
30. Slide 30

    1910.146(c)(5) Alternate procedures

    • ii. Simplified compliance requirements are:
    • A. It must be safe to remove the entrance cover
    • B. Open entrance covers must be promptly guarded
    • Railing or temporary cover/ barrier
31. Slide 31

    1910.146(c)(5) Alternate procedures

    • ii. Simplified compliance requirements are:
    • C. Prior to entry, the internal atmosphere shall be tested for:
    • Oxygen content
    • Flammable gases & vapors
    • Potential toxic air contaminants
    • In that order!
    • Entrant/representative must be allowed to observe pre-entry testing
32. Slide 32
    • Always test the air at various levels to be sure that the entire space is safe.
    • Good air near the opening
    • does NOT
    • FOR EXAMPLE… mean there is good air at the bottom!
    • Good Air
    • Poor Air
    • Subtitles & Transitions
    • Deadly Air
33. Slide 33

    Order of Testing

    • First---Oxygen Presence And Amounts
    • Second---Flammables
    • Third---Toxics
    • Others
34. Slide 34

    1910.146(c)(5) Alternate procedures

    • ii. Simplified compliance requirements are:
    • D. No hazardous atmosphere allowed whenever any employee is inside the space
    • E. Continuous forced air ventilation
    • F. Periodic testing as necessary, observable by entrant/representative
35. Slide 35

    1910.146(c)(5) Alternate procedures

    • ii. Simplified compliance requirements are:
    • G. If hazardous atmosphere is detected during entry:
    • 1. Employees out immediately
    • 2. Hazard evaluated
    • 3. Protective measures implemented
36. Slide 36

    1910.146(c)(5) Alternate procedures

    • ii. Simplified compliance requirements are:
    • H. Certification requirements:
    • Written
    • Space safe to enter (verified) Pre-entry measures taken (verified) Date
    • Location of the space
    • Signature of certifier
    • Available to entrant/representative
37. Slide 37

    Common Air Monitoring Errors

    • No correlation between O2 and LEL
    • Test it and forget it
    • Lack of training
    • Misinterpretation of readings and data
    • Weak internal standards
38. Slide 38

    1910.146(c) Reclassification

    • 6. Reclassification: non-permit to permit
    • Where changes in use or configuration might increase the hazards
    • 7. Reclassification: permit to non-permit
    • i.
    • When atmospheric hazards are not present, or while they remain eliminated
    • ii. Entry to determine this must be made in full compliance
39. Slide 39

    1910.146(c)(8) Host Employers

    • A host employer arranging for employees of a contractor employer to perform work shall inform about:
    • i. Permit spaces & program
    • ii. Identified hazards
    • iii. Precautions/procedures
    • iv. Entry operations (& coordinate them)
    • v. Entries completed & hazards found
40. Slide 40

    1910.146(c)(9) Contractors

    • Contractor employer shall interact with host employer to:
    • i. Obtain info about hazards & entry operations
    • ii. Coordinate entry operations
    • iii. Inform about program followed & any hazards confronted or created
41. Slide 41

    1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program

    • 1. Implement measures to prevent unauthorized entry
    • 2. Identify & evaluate hazards prior to entry
42. Slide 42

    1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program

    • 3. Develop & implement means, procedures & practices for safe entry:
    • i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.
    • Specify acceptable entry conditions
    • Let entrant/rep observe monitoring/testing Isolate the permit space
    • Purge, inert, flush or ventilate as necessary Provide barriers
    • Verify acceptable conditions throughout entry
43. Slide 43

    1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program

    • Provide the following equipment at no cost to the employee:
    • i. Testing & monitoring equipment
    • ii. Ventilation equipment
    • iii. Communication equipment
    • iv. PPE
    • v. Lighting equipment
    • vi. Barriers & shields
    • vii. Ingress/egress equipment (ladders, etc.)
    • viii. Rescue & emergency equipment
    • ix. Other needed entry/rescue equipment
44. Slide 44

    1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program

    • 5. Evaluate permit space to ensure acceptable conditions
    • 6. Provide at least one attendant
    • 7. Provide means & procedures for emergency response to two spaces if monitored by one attendant
    • 8. Designate program personnel & duties and provide training
45. Slide 45

    1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program

    • 9. Develop & implement procedures for rescue and emergency services
    • 10. Develop & implement a system for entry permits
    • preparation issuance use cancellation
46. Slide 46

    1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program

    • 13. Develop & implement procedures to coordinate multi-employer entry operations
    • 14. Develop procedures for concluding entry operations
    • 15. Review entry operations when protective measures appear insufficient
    • 16. Review program at least annually, using retained cancelled permits
47. Slide 47

    1910.146(e) Permit system

    • 1. Entry permit completed by employer authorizes entry
    • Documents completion of entry measures required by 1910.146(d)(3)
    • 2. Supervisor’s signature authorizes entry
    • 3. Posted permit provides assurance to entrants/reps of completed pre-entry prep’s
    • 4. Duration of permit may not exceed time needed to complete assigned task
48. Slide 48

    1910.146(e) Permit system

    • 5. Entry supervisor terminates entry & cancels permit when:
    • i.
    • ii.
    • The entry operation covered by the permit has been completed; or
    • A condition that is not allowed under the entry permit arises in or near the permit space.
    • 6. Cancelled permits are retained for at least 1 year
    • problems must be noted & evaluated
49. Slide 49

    1910.146(f) Entry permit

    • Space to be entered, purpose, date & duration
    • Names of attendants and supervisor Hazards of space Measures to isolate space & control hazards
    • Acceptable entry conditions
    • Test results, initial and periodic
    • Rescue and emergency services
    • Communication procedures
    • Equipment
    • Other information
    • Other permits, such as hot work
50. Slide 50

    Example of

    • 1 page permit
    • FOR EXAMPLE…
    • Subtitles & Transitions
51. Slide 51

    1910.146(g) Training

    • 2. (2) Training shall be provided:
    • i. Before first assigned duties
    • ii. Before change in duties
    • iii. When permit space requirements change
    • iv. When employee seems not to have retained previous training
52. Slide 52

    FOR EXAMPLE…

    • Subtitles & Transitions
    • Confined space rescue training exercise
53. Slide 53

    1910.146(h) Duties of Authorized Entrants

    • Know hazards and symptoms
    • Use equipment properly
    • Communicate with attendant
    • Alert attendants of symptoms or prohibited condition
    • Exit as quickly as possible after:
    • Attendant or supervisor give order to evacuate
    • Recognizing sign or symptom of exposure
    • Detecting prohibited condition
    • Evacuation alarm is activated
54. Slide 54

    1910.146(i) Duties of Attendants

    • Know hazards, symptoms & behavioral effects
    • Count, monitor, communicate with & protect personnel
    • Stay posted outside space until released
    • Summon rescue/emergency services
    • Warn unauthorized persons to stay away or exit; inform others if present in space
    • Non-entry rescue
    • No other interfering duties
55. Slide 55

    1910.146(j) Duties of Entry Supervisors

    • Know hazards, symptoms & behavioral effects
    • Verify permit conditions
    • Authorize & terminate entries
    • Verify rescue availability
    • Remove unauthorized persons
    • Ensure compliance with terms of entry permits
56. Slide 56

    1910.146(k) Rescue & Emergency Services

    • 1. Employer shall:
    • Evaluate a prospective rescuer’s timely response according to hazards
    • Evaluate prospective rescue service’s ability for pertinent types of rescue
    • Select a rescue service based on those criteria Inform rescue service of potential hazards Provide rescue service with access to permit spaces to
    • develop appropriate plans practice rescue operations
57. Slide 57

    1910.146(k) Rescue & Emergency Services

    • 2. Rescue service employer shall:
    • i. Provide PPE at no cost to employees.
    • ii. Train affected employees to perform assigned rescue duties
    • iii. Train in First Aid/CPR
    • iv. Practice making permit required rescue at least every 12 months
58. Slide 58

    1910.146(k) Rescue & Emergency Services

    • 3. Retrieval systems for non-entry rescue
    • Authorized entrant shall use a chest or full body harness with retrieval line Other end of line connected to make quick rescue possible
59. Slide 59

    1910.146(l) Employee Participation

    • Employers shall consult with affected employees/reps on all aspects of permit space program required in 1910.146(c)
    • Employer shall make available to affected employees/rep all information required to be developed by this section
60. Slide 60

    Test Your Knowledge

    • What are the 3 characteristics of a confined space?
    • At what levels does oxygen become: Deficient? Enriched?
    • What is the maximum duration of a space permit?
    • General requirements of a space permit program are: written, implemented and ?
    • Large Enough to Enter and Work
    • Limited Openings for Entry and Exit
    • Not Designed for Continuous Worker Occupancy
    • 19.5% 23.5%
    • The time needed to complete the assigned task
    • Made available to affected employees or their designated representatives