Confined Spaces

▼ Training Objectives ▼

The purpose of Southern Utah University’s (SUU) Confined Space Entry Program (CSEP) is to protect employees from the hazards associated with entering and conducting operations in confined spaces.

Identifying Confined Spaces

A confined space is any space that is large enough for an employee to enter, has a restricted means of entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Examples of confined spaces include tanks, pits, certain tunnels, utility vaults, and boilers. The physical and atmospheric hazards often associated with confined spaces can cause serious injury or death to workers.

Spaces may be classified as one of three types:

Non-Permit Spaces: These are confined spaces in which there are no additional hazards present in the space
Alternate Procedure Confined Spaces: These are confined spaces whose only hazards are atmospheric and where the hazard can be abated prior to entry. The SUU Confined Space Written program has these defined as Non-permit spaces so long as proper abatement procedures take place prior to entry.
- Example: Heat Plant Tunnels
Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS): These are spaces where physical or atmospheric hazards are present and cannot be abated prior to entry. Extensive entry procedures are required to enter a PRCS.

Confined Space Hazards

A comprehensive confined space entry program is required in order to ensure the safety of employees who must enter and work in confined spaces. This includes identifying the potential hazards presented by each confined space on a case by case basis.

The following are some examples of hazards to watch for.

Potential Atmospheric Hazards

Atmospheric oxygen content (between 19.5% and 23.5% is best)
Flammable gasses, vapors, and dust
Toxic gasses and vapors

Potential Physical Hazards

Reduced mobility
Mechanical, Electrical, and Heating equipment
Extreme temperatures
Engulfment (cave-ins and falls into liquid-like materials)

Responsibilities

For full details see Confined Space Written Program section 4.

Safety and Risk Management

Safety and Risk Management is responsible for providing the Confined Space Entry Program, guidance on air monitoring and PPE, and general assistance; reviewing and revising the program as needed, and investigating and documenting all accidents or near misses reported as a result of a confined space entry or an aborted entry attempt.

Departments

Department supervisors, or someone to whom they may delegate, are responsible for implementing the Confined Space Entry Program, identifying confined spaces and their hazards (see list below), regulating authorized entrants, providing site-specific training, and posting warning signs at confined space entrances.

Hazards to Identify:

Atmospheric hazards
Asphyxiating atmospheres Flammable atmospheres Toxic atmospheres
Burn hazards
Heat stress hazards
Mechanical hazards
Engulfment hazards
Physical hazards (falls, debris, slipping hazards) Electrocution
Danger of unexpected movement of machine

Entry Supervisor

Entry Supervisors are responsible to adhere to all requirements and procedures of the Confined Space Entry Program, complete safety trainings and ensure all other involved employees are sufficiently trained, know the hazards, manage PRCS permits, assure that PPE and rescue services are available and used when needed, secure the area, and report all accidents or near misses to Safety and Risk Management.

Attendant

The Attendant is responsible to adhere to all requirements and procedures of the Confined Space Entry Program, complete safety trainings, know the hazards and the effects they may have on authorized entrants, keep count of all authorized entrants in the confined space, remain outside during entry operations, and communicate with authorized entrants to monitor and protect their safety.

Authorized Entrant

Authorized Entrants are responsible for conducting confined space operations in accordance with the procedures and pre-entry checklist (Confined Space Written Program appendices B and C respectively), completing confined space entry training, knowing the hazards, communicating with the attendant, understanding the emergency procedures including when to evacuate, and NEVER entering a confined space suspected of a non-respirable atmosphere for any reason.

Planning A Confined Space Entry

Planning is essential before entering any confined space. The Confined Space Pre-Entry Checklist and Permit (shown below) are both useful in the planning stage.

These resources, which are required for entering many confined spaces, are useful for documenting the following items.

Name/Location of the confined space
Specific reasons for entering the confined space
If hot work will be done
Contents of the confined space
Identification of hazards
Hot work requirements (if applicable)
- Fire prevention and protection
- Hot work equipment
Health and safety protection and ventilation
Posting requirements and signage
Ventilation of the confined space
Isolating the confined space
Cleaning, purging, flushing or ventilation
Placement of warning signs
Identifying all personnel
Identifying necessary equipment
Training
Pre-Entry training
Emergency Rescue

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