This document provides an overview of confined space safety training requirements. It begins with examples of confined space incidents where rescuers accounted for over 60% of fatalities. The purpose of training is to ensure employees are familiar with confined space hazards and safety procedures. Training should occur upon assignment to confined space duties, when duties change, or when deficiencies are identified. The training outline covers topics such as permit requirements, atmospheric hazards, engulfment hazards, equipment needs, duties of entrants and attendants, rescue procedures, and safe entry protocols. It emphasizes the need for adequate ventilation, monitoring, and emergency response planning when entering confined spaces.

1. Confined SpacesConfined Spaces

2. Rescuers AccountRescuers Account
for Over 60% offor Over 60% of
Confined SpaceConfined Space
FatalitiesFatalities

3. Confined Space TragediesConfined Space Tragedies
o Two workers died from asphyxiationTwo workers died from asphyxiation
trying to shut off water flow totrying to shut off water flow to
damaged pipe due to extremely lowdamaged pipe due to extremely low
oxygen levels.oxygen levels.
o Five farmers died trying to save oneFive farmers died trying to save one
another in a manure pit.another in a manure pit.

4. Purpose of TrainingPurpose of Training
o Ensure that employees are familiarEnsure that employees are familiar
with safety precautions andwith safety precautions and
procedures associated withprocedures associated with
confined spacesconfined spaces

5. Frequency of TrainingFrequency of Training
o Upon initial assignmentUpon initial assignment
o Change in assigned duties or aChange in assigned duties or a
change in permit space conditionschange in permit space conditions
o Inadequacies in the employee'sInadequacies in the employee's
knowledge or use of confined spaceknowledge or use of confined space
entry proceduresentry procedures

6. Training OutlineTraining Outline
o IntroductionIntroduction
o General RequirementsGeneral Requirements
o Equipment RequirementsEquipment Requirements
o The Entry PermitThe Entry Permit
o Duties of Authorized Entrants, AttendantsDuties of Authorized Entrants, Attendants
and Entry Supervisorand Entry Supervisor
o Rescue and Emergency ServicesRescue and Emergency Services
o ContractorsContractors
o Safe Entry ProceduresSafe Entry Procedures

7. IntroductionIntroduction
o OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146: Permit-OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146: Permit-
Required Confined SpacesRequired Confined Spaces
o Ensure that employees can safelyEnsure that employees can safely
enter into and work within permit-enter into and work within permit-
required confined spacesrequired confined spaces

8. DefinitionDefinition
A Confined space:
o Is large enough that anIs large enough that an
employee can enter andemployee can enter and
perform assigned workperform assigned work
o Has limited or restrictedHas limited or restricted
means for entry or exitmeans for entry or exit
o Is not designed forIs not designed for
continuous employeecontinuous employee
occupancyoccupancy

9. ExamplesExamples
Examples:Examples:
o tankstanks
o pitspits
o tunnelstunnels
o vaultsvaults
o boilersboilers
o sewerssewers
o shaftsshafts
o ventilation ductsventilation ducts
o crawl spacescrawl spaces

10. IntroductionIntroduction
A permit-required confined space:
o Contains or has the potential to contain aContains or has the potential to contain a
hazardous atmospherehazardous atmosphere
o Contains a material that has the potentialContains a material that has the potential
for engulfing an entrantfor engulfing an entrant
o Internal configuration that might causeInternal configuration that might cause
entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated byentrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by
inwardly converging walls or floor thatinwardly converging walls or floor that
slopes downward and tapers to a smallerslopes downward and tapers to a smaller
cross sectioncross section
o Contains any other recognized seriousContains any other recognized serious
safety or health hazardsafety or health hazard

11. Atmospheric HazardsAtmospheric Hazards
o Oxygen LevelsOxygen Levels - below 19.5 % or- below 19.5 % or
above 23.5%above 23.5%
o Flammable/ExplosiveFlammable/Explosive – exceeds 10%– exceeds 10%
of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
o Toxic SubstancesToxic Substances – exceed– exceed
Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)

12. EngulfmentEngulfment
o Liquid or loose materials trap aLiquid or loose materials trap a
worker.worker.
o Typically associated with looseTypically associated with loose
materials in bins, silos, andmaterials in bins, silos, and
hoppers.hoppers.
o Death can occur by asphyxiation,Death can occur by asphyxiation,
aspiration, or constriction.aspiration, or constriction.

13. IntroductionIntroduction
o "Entry" is when a person"Entry" is when a person
passes through anpasses through an
opening into a permit-opening into a permit-
required confined spacerequired confined space
o Any part of the entrant'sAny part of the entrant's
body breaks the plane ofbody breaks the plane of
an opening into thean opening into the
spacespace

14. General RequirementsGeneral Requirements
o Identify confined spaces and classifyIdentify confined spaces and classify
them as permit or non-permitthem as permit or non-permit
o A permit-required confined space mayA permit-required confined space may
be reclassifiedbe reclassified
o Identify and evaluate the hazards of theIdentify and evaluate the hazards of the
permit spaces before employees enterpermit spaces before employees enter
o Inform exposed employees of theInform exposed employees of the
existence and location of and theexistence and location of and the
danger posed by the permit spacesdanger posed by the permit spaces

15. Confined Spaces Flow Chart

16. General RequirementsGeneral Requirements
o Measures to prevent entryMeasures to prevent entry
o Develop and implement practices andDevelop and implement practices and
procedures necessary for safe entryprocedures necessary for safe entry
o Provide and maintain all requiredProvide and maintain all required
equipmentequipment
o Educate employees on safe entryEducate employees on safe entry
procedures and equipment operationprocedures and equipment operation

17. Equipment RequirementsEquipment Requirements
o Testing and monitoringTesting and monitoring
equipmentequipment
o Ventilating equipmentVentilating equipment
o Communications equipmentCommunications equipment
o Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment
o Lighting equipmentLighting equipment
o Barriers and shieldsBarriers and shields
o Equipment needed for safeEquipment needed for safe
ingress and egressingress and egress
o Emergency equipmentEmergency equipment
o Other equipment for safe entryOther equipment for safe entry

18. The Entry PermitThe Entry Permit
o Permit must be completedPermit must be completed
before entry is authorizedbefore entry is authorized
o Entry supervisor must sign theEntry supervisor must sign the
permitpermit
o Permit must be made availablePermit must be made available
at the time of entry so entrantsat the time of entry so entrants
can confirm that pre-entrycan confirm that pre-entry
preparations have beenpreparations have been
completedcompleted

19. The Entry PermitThe Entry Permit
o Duration may not exceed the timeDuration may not exceed the time
identified on the permitidentified on the permit
o Retain each canceled entry permit forRetain each canceled entry permit for
at least 1 year to facilitate review of theat least 1 year to facilitate review of the
programprogram
o Problems encountered during entryProblems encountered during entry
shall be noted on the permit so thatshall be noted on the permit so that
appropriate revisions can be made toappropriate revisions can be made to
the programthe program

20. Contents of The Entry PermitContents of The Entry Permit
1. Permit space to be entered1. Permit space to be entered
2. Purpose of the entry2. Purpose of the entry
3. Date and the authorized duration of3. Date and the authorized duration of
the entry permitthe entry permit
4. Authorized entrants4. Authorized entrants
5. Attendants5. Attendants
6. Entry supervisor with a space for the6. Entry supervisor with a space for the
signaturesignature

21. Contents of The Entry PermitContents of The Entry Permit
7. Hazards of the permit space7. Hazards of the permit space
8. Measures used to isolate the permit8. Measures used to isolate the permit
space and to eliminate or control permitspace and to eliminate or control permit
space hazards before entryspace hazards before entry
9. Acceptable entry conditions9. Acceptable entry conditions
10. Results of initial and periodic tests,10. Results of initial and periodic tests,
names or initials of the testers andnames or initials of the testers and
when the tests were performedwhen the tests were performed

22. Contents of The Entry PermitContents of The Entry Permit
11. Rescue and emergency services11. Rescue and emergency services
12. Communication procedures12. Communication procedures
13. Equipment (personal protective13. Equipment (personal protective
equipment, testing equipment,equipment, testing equipment,
communications equipment, alarmcommunications equipment, alarm
systems, rescue equipment, etc.)systems, rescue equipment, etc.)
14. Any other information necessary in14. Any other information necessary in
order to ensure employee safetyorder to ensure employee safety

23. Duties of Authorized EntrantsDuties of Authorized Entrants
o Understand potential hazardsUnderstand potential hazards
o Use equipment properlyUse equipment properly
o Communicate with attendant regularlyCommunicate with attendant regularly
o If the unexpected occurs – alert theIf the unexpected occurs – alert the
attendantattendant
o Exit immediately if hazard developsExit immediately if hazard develops

24. Duties of Authorized EntrantsDuties of Authorized Entrants
Alert the attendant
whenever:
o Entrant recognizesEntrant recognizes
any warning sign orany warning sign or
symptom of exposuresymptom of exposure
to a dangerousto a dangerous
situationsituation
o The entrant detects aThe entrant detects a
prohibited conditionprohibited condition

25. Duties of Authorized EntrantsDuties of Authorized Entrants
Evacuate the confined space when:
o Order to evacuate is given by theOrder to evacuate is given by the
attendant or the entry supervisorattendant or the entry supervisor
o Entrant recognizes any warning sign orEntrant recognizes any warning sign or
symptom of exposure to a dangeroussymptom of exposure to a dangerous
situationsituation
o Entrant detects a prohibited conditionEntrant detects a prohibited condition
o Evacuation alarm is activatedEvacuation alarm is activated

26. Duties of AttendantsDuties of Attendants
o "Attendant" - stationed outside permit space;"Attendant" - stationed outside permit space;
monitors entrantsmonitors entrants
o Knows the hazards including signs,Knows the hazards including signs,
symptoms and consequences of exposuresymptoms and consequences of exposure
o Continuously maintains accurate count ofContinuously maintains accurate count of
entrants in permit spaceentrants in permit space
o Remains outside the permit space duringRemains outside the permit space during
entry until relieved by another attendantentry until relieved by another attendant

27. Duties of AttendantsDuties of Attendants
o Communicates with entrants toCommunicates with entrants to
monitor entrant status and to alertmonitor entrant status and to alert
entrants of the need to evacuateentrants of the need to evacuate
o Monitors activities inside & outsideMonitors activities inside & outside
the space to determine ifthe space to determine if
- it is safe for entrants to- it is safe for entrants to
- remain in the space- remain in the space

28. Duties of AttendantsDuties of Attendants
Orders evacuation immediately if:
o Detects a prohibited conditionDetects a prohibited condition
o Detects the behavioral effects ofDetects the behavioral effects of
hazard exposure in entranthazard exposure in entrant
o Detects a situation outside the spaceDetects a situation outside the space
that could endanger the entrantsthat could endanger the entrants
o If the attendant cannot effectively andIf the attendant cannot effectively and
safely perform all the dutiessafely perform all the duties

29. Duties of AttendantsDuties of Attendants
o Summon emergency servicesSummon emergency services
o Keep unauthorized persons awayKeep unauthorized persons away
o Inform entrants and entry supervisor ifInform entrants and entry supervisor if
unauthorized persons have entered theunauthorized persons have entered the
permit spacepermit space
o Performs non-entry rescues when applicablePerforms non-entry rescues when applicable
and they have trainingand they have training
o Performs no duties that might interfere withPerforms no duties that might interfere with
primary duty to monitor and protect entrantsprimary duty to monitor and protect entrants

30. Duties of Entry SupervisorDuties of Entry Supervisor
o "Entry supervisor" - person responsible"Entry supervisor" - person responsible
for determining if acceptable entryfor determining if acceptable entry
conditions are present, for authorizingconditions are present, for authorizing
entry, overseeing entry operations, andentry, overseeing entry operations, and
for terminating entry as requiredfor terminating entry as required
o An entry supervisor also may serve asAn entry supervisor also may serve as
an attendant or as an entrant, as longan attendant or as an entrant, as long
as that person is trained and equippedas that person is trained and equipped
to do soto do so

31. Duties of Entry SupervisorDuties of Entry Supervisor
o Knows the hazards including signs,Knows the hazards including signs,
symptoms, and consequences of thesymptoms, and consequences of the
exposureexposure
o Verifies that the entry permit is complete,Verifies that the entry permit is complete,
all tests have been conducted and allall tests have been conducted and all
procedures and equipment are in placeprocedures and equipment are in place
before allowing entry to beginbefore allowing entry to begin
o Verifies that rescue services are availableVerifies that rescue services are available
and that the means for summoning themand that the means for summoning them
are operableare operable

32. Duties of Entry SupervisorDuties of Entry Supervisor
o Removes unauthorized individuals whoRemoves unauthorized individuals who
enter or attempt to enter the spaceenter or attempt to enter the space
o Ensures that acceptable entryEnsures that acceptable entry
conditions are maintained throughoutconditions are maintained throughout
the entrythe entry
o Terminates entry and cancels the entryTerminates entry and cancels the entry
permit when the operations have beenpermit when the operations have been
completed or a condition that is notcompleted or a condition that is not
allowed under the permit arisesallowed under the permit arises

33. Rescue and Emergency ServicesRescue and Emergency Services
o Self-RescueSelf-Rescue
o Non-entry RescueNon-entry Rescue
o Only trainedOnly trained
workers can enterworkers can enter
space and onlyspace and only
when there iswhen there is
another attendantanother attendant
o Call 911Call 911

34. Rescue and Emergency ServicesRescue and Emergency Services
o Responds in a timely mannerResponds in a timely manner
o Rescue provider must be proficient withRescue provider must be proficient with
confined space rescue-related tasks andconfined space rescue-related tasks and
equipmentequipment
o Inform rescue provider of the hazards theyInform rescue provider of the hazards they
may encounter on sitemay encounter on site
o Provide the rescue provider with access to allProvide the rescue provider with access to all
permit spaces so they can develop rescuepermit spaces so they can develop rescue
plans and practice rescue operationsplans and practice rescue operations

35. Rescue and Emergency ServicesRescue and Emergency Services
o Retrieval systems shall be used unless theyRetrieval systems shall be used unless they
increase the overall risk of entry or would notincrease the overall risk of entry or would not
contribute to the rescuecontribute to the rescue
o Each entrant shall use a full body harness and aEach entrant shall use a full body harness and a
retrieval line if feasibleretrieval line if feasible
o The other end of the retrieval line shall beThe other end of the retrieval line shall be
attached to a mechanical device or fixed pointattached to a mechanical device or fixed point
outside the permit spaceoutside the permit space
o A mechanical retrieval device shall be available forA mechanical retrieval device shall be available for
vertical type permit spaces more than 5 feet deepvertical type permit spaces more than 5 feet deep

36. ContractorsContractors
o Inform contractor that workplace containsInform contractor that workplace contains
permit spaces and entry is allowed only inpermit spaces and entry is allowed only in
compliance with permit space programcompliance with permit space program
o Apprise contractor of the hazards that makeApprise contractor of the hazards that make
the space a permit spacethe space a permit space
o Apprise contractor of precautions for theApprise contractor of precautions for the
protection of employees in or near permitprotection of employees in or near permit
spaces where contractor will be workingspaces where contractor will be working

37. ContractorsContractors
o Coordinate with employerCoordinate with employer
when both host personnel andwhen both host personnel and
contractor personnel will becontractor personnel will be
working in or near spacesworking in or near spaces
o Debrief employer at theDebrief employer at the
conclusion of entryconclusion of entry
o Contractor shall inform theContractor shall inform the
employer of the permitemployer of the permit
program that they will followprogram that they will follow
and of any hazards confrontedand of any hazards confronted
or createdor created

38. Safe Entry ProceduresSafe Entry Procedures
o Perform work outside of space if possiblePerform work outside of space if possible
o Designate entrants, attendants, entryDesignate entrants, attendants, entry
supervisors and atmospheric monitors,supervisors and atmospheric monitors,
identify the duties of each, and assureidentify the duties of each, and assure
training has been providedtraining has been provided
o Notify all departments affected by entryNotify all departments affected by entry
o Post signs and put up barriers to protectPost signs and put up barriers to protect
entrants from traffic and pedestriansentrants from traffic and pedestrians
o Specify acceptable entry conditionsSpecify acceptable entry conditions

39. Safe Entry ProceduresSafe Entry Procedures
o Ventilate, eliminate, or controlVentilate, eliminate, or control
the space’s atmosphericthe space’s atmospheric
hazards before entry into thehazards before entry into the
spacespace
o Blind or disconnect and cap allBlind or disconnect and cap all
input lines so that noinput lines so that no
hazardous materials can enterhazardous materials can enter
the spacethe space
o Lockout/TagoutLockout/Tagout
o When entrance covers areWhen entrance covers are
removed, guard the openingremoved, guard the opening
immediatelyimmediately

40. Safe Entry ProceduresSafe Entry Procedures
o Test permit space before entryTest permit space before entry
beginsbegins
o Monitor permit space toMonitor permit space to
determine if entry conditionsdetermine if entry conditions
are maintainedare maintained
o Test for oxygen, combustibleTest for oxygen, combustible
gases/vapors, and toxicgases/vapors, and toxic
gases/vapors in that ordergases/vapors in that order
o Observe status of other existingObserve status of other existing
hazards and those createdhazards and those created
during entry operationsduring entry operations

41. Safe Entry ProceduresSafe Entry Procedures
o Authorized entrants can enter a permitAuthorized entrants can enter a permit
space only after it’s been tested and foundspace only after it’s been tested and found
safe for entrysafe for entry
o The entrant must know what equipmentThe entrant must know what equipment
to use & how to use itto use & how to use it
o Provide at least one attendant outside theProvide at least one attendant outside the
permit space for the duration of entrypermit space for the duration of entry

42. Safe Entry ProceduresSafe Entry Procedures
o Maintain acceptableMaintain acceptable
conditions for durationconditions for duration
of entryof entry
o Implement rescue andImplement rescue and
emergency proceduresemergency procedures
if necessaryif necessary
o Implement proceduresImplement procedures
necessary fornecessary for
concluding the entryconcluding the entry

43. Safe Entry ProceduresSafe Entry Procedures
o Review entry operations when there isReview entry operations when there is
reason to believe that measures takenreason to believe that measures taken
may not protect employees and revisemay not protect employees and revise
the program before subsequent entriesthe program before subsequent entries
o Review the permit space programReview the permit space program
within 1 year after each entry andwithin 1 year after each entry and
revise the program as necessary torevise the program as necessary to
ensure that employees participating inensure that employees participating in
entry operations are protectedentry operations are protected

44. QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

45. Quiz
1. T / F Rescuers account for over 60 %
of confined space fatalities?
True
2. T / F A confined space is an area large
enough that employee may enter
has a limited means of entry or
exit?
True

46. Quiz
3. Name at least 3 examples of a confined
space. tankstanks
o Pits, tunnelsPits, tunnels
o Vaults, boilersVaults, boilers
o sewers , shaftssewers , shafts
o ventilation ducts,crawl spacesventilation ducts,crawl spaces
4. T / F A permit required confined space is an area that
contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous
atmosphere?
True

47. Quiz
5. Is an atmosphere containing less than 19.5%, and
above 23.5% oxygen dangerous?
Yes, below 19.5% O2 deficient
above 23.6% exsplosive
6. T / F Entry into a confined space is when any part of
the entrants body breaks the plane of the an
opening into a confined space.
True

48. Quiz
7. How can a space that is classified as a
permit required confined space be
reclassified?
Remove hazards
8. If the hazard or hazardous atmosphere
cannot be removed, what must be done
before entering the space? Issue permit entry

49. Quiz
9. T / F The attendant may leave the space
entrance go to the bathroom?
False, Attendant can never leave unless
replaced
10. Who is responsible for determining if
acceptable conditions for entry are present?
Entry Supervisor

50. Quiz
11. May the entry supervisor also serve
as the attendant?
Yes
12. What must an entrant to a permit
required confined space wear?
Appropriate PPE, lanyard system

51. Quiz
13. Can the attendant enter the confined
space?
No
14. Who may enter the confined space for
rescue?
certified personnel only