Confined Space Entry Issues

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Confined Space Entry IssuesConfined Space Entry Issues

Craig Schroll, CSP, CUSA

FIRECON

Craig@FIRECON.com

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Overview of ProgramOverview of Program

• Overall confined space issues

• Ways to address these issues

• Strategies for entries

• Types of confined spaces

• Hot work

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The ProblemThe Problem

• We continue to kill & injure people

• Lack of warning

• Lucky versus smart

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ComplianceCompliance

Remember that compliance is the price of admission not

the achievement of excellence.

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OSHA InformationOSHA Information

• Standard

• Compliance Instruction

• Interpretive letters

• All are available on the web site – www.osha.gov

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Other StandardsOther Standards

• ANSI Z117• NFPA• API• International• Australian• United Kingdom• European Union

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Hazard + Exposure = Hazard + Exposure = RiskRisk

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Risk AssessmentRisk Assessment

Pro

bab

ility

Severity

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2

3

4

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Example of a Risk Assessment Matrix

- Severity of Injury or Illness Consequence and Remedial Action --

Likelihood of OCCURRENCE or EXPOSURE For selected Unit of Time or Activity

CATASTROPHIC Death or permanent total disability

CRITICAL Disability in excess of 3 months

MARGINAL Minor injury, lost workday

accident

NEGLIGIBLE First Aid or Minor Medical

Treatment

Frequent Likely to Occur Repeatedly

HIGHOperation not permissible

HIGHOperation not permissible

SERIOUSHigh Priority Remedial

action

MEDIUMTake Remedial action at

appropriate time

ProbableLikely to occur several times

HIGHOperation not permissible

HIGHOperation not permissible

SERIOUSHigh Priority Remedial

action

MEDIUMTake Remedial action at

appropriate time

OccasionalLikely to occur sometime

HIGHOperation not permissible

SERIOUSHigh Priority Remedial action

MEDIUMTake Remedial action at appropriate time

LOWRisk Acceptable:Remedial Action

Discretionary

RemoteNot likely to occur

SERIOUSHigh Priority

Remedial action

MEDIUMTake Remedial action at appropriate time

MEDIUMTake Remedial action at appropriate time

LOWRisk Acceptable:Remedial Action

Discretionary

ImprobableVery unlikely – may assume exposure will not happen

MEDIUMTake Remedial action at appropriate time

LOWRisk Acceptable:

Remedial Action Discretionary

LOWRisk Acceptable:Remedial Action

Discretionary

LOWRisk Acceptable:Remedial Action

Discretionary

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DesignDesign

• Eliminate the confined space

• Eliminate the need for entry

• Eliminate hazards

• Minimize risk

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Eliminate Confined SpaceEliminate Confined Space

• Change access

• Design in hazard elimination

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Eliminate Need for EntryEliminate Need for Entry

• Design space/process to not require internal maintenance

• Access ports

• Pull out panels

• Pull up equipment i.e. pumps

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Eliminate HazardsEliminate Hazards

• Design confined space with hazard elimination in mind

• For example, improved isolation systems

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Minimize RiskMinimize Risk

• Reduce number of entries

• Reduce duration of entries

• Reduce number of personnel

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Types of SpacesTypes of Spaces

• Confined space

• Permit-required confined space• Reclassified space• Space eligible for alternate procedures

• Non-permit space

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Confined SpaceConfined SpaceLarge enough to bodily enter

Limited or restrictedaccess

Not designed for continuous occupancy

ConfinedSpace

A space must have all three characteristics to meet the confined space definition.

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Permit-Required Confined SpacePermit-Required Confined Space

Has or has thepotential

to contain ahazardous

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

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Permit-Required Confined SpacePermit-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.

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Permit-Required Confined SpacePermit-Required Confined Space

Internalconfiguration

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 and tapers toa smaller crosssection.

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Permit-Required Confined SpacePermit-Required Confined Space

Any other recognized serious

safety or healthhazard?

Other hazards capable of causing death, serious physical harm, or interfering with the entrants ability to escape.

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Non-Permit Confined SpaceNon-Permit Confined Space

Does not contain or, have potential to contain any hazard capable of

causing death or serious physical harm.

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ReclassificationReclassification

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

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Elimination versus ControlElimination versus Control

• Elimination means hazard cannot return during entry operation.

• Control means that return of hazard is possible if control measures fail.

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Alternate ProceduresAlternate Procedures

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

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Alternate ProceduresAlternate Procedures

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

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ExamplesExamples

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RecognitionRecognition

Recognition of an area as a confined space is a critical

first step to safe operations.

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P E R M IT R E Q U IR E D C O N F IN E D S PA C E

D O N O T E N T E R

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Confined Space HazardsConfined Space Hazards

• Atmospheric• Content• Potential Energy• Environment in Space• Configuration of Space• Nature of Work• External • Miscellaneous

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Sources of HazardsSources of Hazards

• Inside the space

• External to the space

• From the work

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General RequirementsGeneral Requirements

• Evaluate workplace

• Inform employees

• Develop & Implement written program

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ProgramsPrograms

• General policy

• Specific guidelines

• Training requirements

• Permit system

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ProgramsPrograms

• Supervisor’s role

• Employee’s role

• Contractor procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Monitoring system

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Confined Space Policy & ProceduresConfined Space Policy & Procedures

• Simple

• Brief

• Useful

• Clearly communicated

• Consistently enforced

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Evaluating Your Evaluating Your Confined SpacesConfined Spaces

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Confined Space InventoryConfined Space Inventory

• Survey entire facility

• Identify all potential CS

• Classify spaces

• Maintain documentation

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Confined Space EvaluationConfined Space Evaluation

• Evaluate prior to entry (OSHA)

• Evaluate initially from a practical perspective• Equipment• Procedures• Training

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Confined Space EvaluationConfined 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

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Safe System of WorkSafe 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

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Planning EntryPlanning Entry

• Is entry necessary?

• Work plan

• Space preparation

• Permit

• Briefing

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BriefingBriefing

• Hazards

• Permit items

• Job tasks

• Emergency procedures

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Job SurveysJob Surveys

• Inspect area

• Review work

• Confirm safety issues

• Review preparations

• Check PPE

• Check equipment & supplies

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Entry SupervisorsEntry Supervisors

• Role is much more than a signature on a form

• Actually evaluate and resolve hazards

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TrainingTraining

• Establish and maintain competence

• All personnel involved in entries must be competent

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Program AuditProgram Audit

• Review permits

• Update surveys

• Update policies & procedures

• Update training

• Review equipment condition & needs

• Job site surveys

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Hot WorkHot Work

• Numerous safety & health issues

• A few specific to confined space work

• Ventilation

• Introduction of ignition source

• Heating can contribute to release of contaminants

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Q & AQ & A