Safety: Confined Space Safety Policy

A Confined Space (CS) Safety Policy can be divided into 9 sections.

This article briefly describes the nine parts of a comprehensive yet efficient CS safety program.

1 - Purpose - This safety policy states the requirements for the identification and safe entry into both permit required and non-permit required confined spaces. The policy applies to areas of the workplace not designed for continuous occupancy and containing recognized serious safety or health hazards.

2 - Reference - OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146

3 - Scope - Applicable to all of the business's employees, visitors and contractors.

4 - Administration - Variable, but generally administration of the CS policy is by safety coordinators, supervisors, engineers and other trained managerial staff.

5 - Definitions - Can be standard, see: OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Act

6 - Descriptions -

A confined work location is an area/space where an employee: - has limited openings for entry and egress; - can bodily enter and which is large enough to perform assigned work; - could be engulfed by bulk materials; - is not intended to continuously occupy.

Non-Permit Required CS is a confined work area neither containing nor having the potential to contain any hazard.

Permit Required CS is a confined space with: - a hazardous atmosphere or potential for it; - material that could engulf an entrant; - converging/tapering walls/floors that could entrap or asphyxiate; - a recognized hazard.

Procedures Followed For All Permit Required Confined Space Entry

- Permit

- - Issuance - By the supervisor, mandatory for the employee, one shift in duration.

- - Cancellation - At shift end or on job completion.

- - Retention - Must be reviewed and kept.

- Alternate Entry/Space Reclassification - Specific ref: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (c)(5)/(c)(7)

- Pre-Entry Briefing - By permit issuing entry supervisor.

- Contractor Notification - Outside contractor adheres to procedures - compliance must be assured.

- Lighting Requirements - Natural, auxiliary, emergency.

- Special Tools and Equipment - Intrinsically safe in flammable or combustible atmosphere.

- Preparation and Hazard Control - Preventing engulfment, burns. Lockout/tagout procedures.

- Assuring adequate ventilation.

- - Pre-Entry Atmospheric Testing - Includes employee training with testing equipment.

- - Monitor Calibration and Testing - Field and Manufacturer Testing.

- Attendant Duties - Mandatory for permit required confined space entry, no other duties.

- Entry Supervisor Duties - Trained and authorized entry supervisor.

- Safety Equipment - PPE, non-entry rescue, rescue, general.

- Equipment Inspection - Per manufacturer's recommendation.

- Handling Problems.

- Rescue and Emergency Services - Documented, available, trained, equipped.

- Summoning Rescue Services Procedure

7 - Responsibilities - Employees and Entry Supervisor - Safety Coordinators - Supervisors - Contractors

8 - Training - Initial - Refresher - Annual

9 - Revision - Annually by Safety Coordinators

These are the nine parts of a Confined Space Safety Policy. The actual policy expands on each item, and those details are available at:

http://greatlakesenvironmental.com/safety/confined.html

Additional briefs on the subject of industrial safety, environmental health and safety, and loss control are available at: http://greatlakesenvironmental.com/safety/index.html

Rayce Bannon is a freelance writer working closely with Evan Casey and his staff at Great Lakes Environmental and Safety Consultants.

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