| A Confined Space Safety Policy can be divided | | | | - - Cancellation - At shift end or on job |
| into 9 sections. | | | | completion. |
| This article briefly describes the nine parts of a | | | | - - Retention - Must be reviewed and kept. - |
| comprehensive yet efficient confined space | | | | - Alternate Entry/Space Reclassification - Specific |
| safety program. | | | | ref: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (c)(5)/(c)(7) |
| 1 - Purpose - The confined space safety policy | | | | - Pre-Entry Briefing - By permit issuing entry |
| states the requirements for the identification and | | | | supervisor. |
| safe entry into both permit required and | | | | - Contractor Notification - Outside contractor |
| non-permit required confined spaces. | | | | adheres to procedures - compliance must be |
| The policy applies to areas of the workplace not | | | | assured. |
| designed for continuous occupancy and containing | | | | - Lighting Requirements - Natural, auxiliary, |
| recognized serious safety or health hazards. | | | | emergency. |
| 2 - Reference - OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 | | | | - Special Tools and Equipment - Intrinsically safe in |
| 3 - Scope - Applicable to all of the business's | | | | flammable or combustible atmosphere. |
| employees, visitors and contractors. | | | | - Preparation and Hazard Control - Preventing |
| 4 - Administration - Variable, but generally | | | | engulfment, burns. Lockout/tagout procedures. |
| administration of the confined space policy is by | | | | - Assuring adequate ventilation. |
| safety coordinators, supervisors, engineers and | | | | - - Pre-Entry Atmospheric Testing - Includes |
| other trained managerial staff. | | | | employee training with testing equipment. |
| 5 - Definitions - Can be standard, see: OSHA, | | | | - - Monitor Calibration and Testing |
| Occupational Safety and Health Act | | | | - Field and Manufacturer Testing. |
| 6 - Descriptions - | | | | - Attendant Duties - Mandatory for permit |
| Confined Space is an area/space where an | | | | required confined space entry, no other duties. |
| employee: - has limited openings for entry and | | | | - Entry Supervisor Duties - Trained and authorized |
| egress; - can bodily enter and which is large | | | | entry supervisor. |
| enough to perform assigned work; - could be | | | | - Safety Equipment - PPE, non-entry rescue, |
| engulfed by bulk materials; - is not intended to | | | | rescue, general. |
| continuously occupy. | | | | - Equipment Inspection - Per manufacturer's |
| Non-Permit Required Confined Space is a confined | | | | recommendation. |
| space neither containing nor having the potential | | | | - Handling Problems |
| to contain any hazard. | | | | - Rescue and Emergency Services - Documented, |
| Permit Required Confined Space is a confined | | | | available, trained, equipped. |
| space with: - a hazardous atmosphere or potential | | | | - Summoning Rescue Services Procedure |
| for it; - material that could engulf an entrant; - | | | | 7 - Responsibilities - Employees and Entry |
| converging/tapering walls/floors that could entrap | | | | Supervisor - Safety Coordinators - Supervisors - |
| or asphyxiate; - a recognized hazard. | | | | Contractors |
| Procedures Followed For All Permit Required | | | | 8 - Training - Initial - Refresher - Annual |
| Confined Space Entry | | | | 9 - Revision - Annually by Safety Coordinators |
| - Permit | | | | These are the nine parts of a Confined Space |
| - - Issuance - By the supervisor, mandatory for | | | | Safety Policy. |
| the employee, one shift in duration. | | | | |