10.1 OVERVIEW
Each year there are hundreds of on-the-job deaths which are directly attrib-uted to working in confined spaces. Confined space accidents result when an employee is trapped, asphyxiated, or injured in an area which limits normal rescue options. In response to this problem OSHA passed a regulation titled "permit-required Confined Spaces". Part 1910.146 of the Code of Feder-al Regulations. This regulation governs entry and work procedures for con-fined spaces and became effective April 15, 1993.
10.2 POLICY
Monroe County shall provide the appropriate written program, equipment, training, documentation and supervision of all Confined Space activities.
10.3 DEFINITION OF A CONFINED SPACE
A Confined Space is any working area which meets the following criteria:
A. Human Entry: Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
B. Entry: Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit; and
C. Human Occupancy: Is not designated for continuous employee occupancy.
10.4 EVALUATION OF CONFINED SPACE
The workplace must be surveyed for the presence of confined spaces. Once each confined space is identified, the following information must be deter-mined, documented and retained by the Department Head, Supervisor and Safety Office:
A. Location of the space
B. Description of the space
C. Type of confined space
D. Specific Hazards associated with the space
10.5 IDENTIFICATION OF CONFINED SPACE
There are three classifications of Confined Spaces. During the evaluation process the supervisor and Safety Administrator must classify each of the confined spaces in the work place as one of the following:
A. Non-permit: a confined space that does not contain or with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.
B. Hazard Atmosphere Only: A confined space where the only hazard is a potential for an atmosphere which may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment or threaten the ability to self-rescue and which can be controlled by forced ventilation.
C. Permit Required Confined Space (Permit Space): is a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:
1. Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
2. Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;
3. Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or
4. Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards.
Any change in condition which alters the classification of a confined space shall be documented. All permit-required entry procedures immediately apply to any confined space which is reclassified from a non-permit space to a permit-required space.
10.6 ENTERING A CONFINED SPACE
A. Permit-Required Confined Space: Require a written permit from your supervisor prior to entering the space.
B. Non-Permitted Confined Spaces: Is any space which meets the criteria of a confined space but not a permit required confined space. It is the Safety Administrator and supervisor's responsibility to evaluate and docu-ment that the space is not a permit space.
10.7 POSTING AND SIGNAGE
A. Sinage of Permit Space: If the workplace contains permit spaces, the supervisor must inform employees of their existence, location and danger. A sign reading "DANGER - PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE - DO NOT ENTER" shall be placed at the entrance to each such space to satisfy this requirement.
B. Prevention of entry: If the supervisor decides employees will not enter a permit space, the supervisor shall take effective measures such as physical or mechanical means to prevent employee from entrance.
C. Prior Training before Entry: If the supervisor decides entry into permit required spaces is necessary, employees will enter only after complying with the provisions of the written Permit-Required Confined Space procedure.
D. Mark All Hazardous Atmosphere Spaces: All confined spaces which are classified "Hazardous Atmosphere Only" should be marked with a sign stating "DANGER - HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE - DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION".
E. Permit-Required Markings: When entry is not authorized, except by permit, the permit-required confined space must be marked with a sign that reads "DANGER PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE DO NOT ENTER".
10.8 WRITTEN PROGRAM
If the supervisor decides that their employees will enter permit required spaces, the supervisor shall coordinate with the Safety Office to develop and implement a written program that complies with the Code of Federal Regu-lations, Part 1910.146.
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