California State University, Bakersfield
CONFINED SPACE SAFETY ENTRY PROGRAM
(Updated March 2010)
REFERENCE
The California Labor Code and the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973,
requires that the California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) maintain a safe and healthful
workplace for all university employees. The general requirement to provide an effective injury
and illness prevention program are in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations title 8§ 3203.
•
The specific confined space regulatory requirements are in Title 8, Article 108, §5156 –
5158. Because confined space work may involve different hazards, other regulatory
requirements may also apply.
POLICY
No person will enter a confined space in any campus location unless they are fully trained and
until a confined space entry permit has been issued by Safety and Risk Management (S&RM).
S&RM staff or a designated qualified person must certify that the hazards of poisoning,
suffocation, the hazard of ignition or explosion of flammable gases has been eliminated or
reduced to the lowest practical level. The requirements of this document apply to all CSUB
employees and employees of auxiliary organizations. Employee compliance with the provisions
of this program is mandatory.
FORMS TO BE USED
•
Known Confined Spaces on Campus
•
Confined Space Entry Permit Pre-Entry Checklist
•
Confined Space Entry Permit
•
Confined Space Entry Decision Flow Charts for Permit Spaces vs. Alternate Entry
Spaces
•
Confined Space Hot Work Entry Permit
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CONTRACTOR GUIDELINES
Contractors that enter confined spaces on the CSUB campus must comply with the Confined
Space Standard as defined in §5156 - 5158 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.
CSUB is not responsible for employees of contractors who may enter University
confined spaces.
DEFINITIONS
A confined space is a space that:
(1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform
assigned work; and
(2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, for example; tanks, vessels, silos,
storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, passage ways, crawl spaces, rooms, or
basements and
(3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Alternate Entry Procedure: A procedure that may be used to enter a confined space if the only
hazard present in the space is atmospheric in nature and:
o
The atmospheric hazard can be controlled by mechanical ventilation alone; and
o
The permit space will not become immediately dangerous to life and health
(IDLH) if the mechanical ventilation should fail.
Attendant: An individual stationed outside one or more permit required confined spaces who
monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all Attendant's duties as assigned in this
program.
Authorized Entrant: An employee who is authorized by the campus to enter a permit required
confined space.
Entry Permit: The written document provided by CSUB which allows and controls entry into a
permit required confined space.
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Entry Supervisor: The person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are
present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry
operations, and for terminating entry as required by this program.
Hazardous Atmosphere: An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death,
incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, or acute illness resulting from the following:
o
Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable
o
limit (LFL);
o
Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL;
(note: this condition may be approximated as a condition in which the dust
obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet or less)
o
Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent;
o
Atmospheric concentration of any substance which could result in an exposure
greater than the Permissible Exposure Level (PEL).
o
Any other atmospheric concentration that is immediately dangerous to life and
health (IDLH).
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH): Any condition that poses an immediate or
delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would
interfere with an individual's ability to escape unaided from a confined space.
Lower Flammable Limit (LFL): The minimum vapor concentration of a flammable liquid in air,
below which flame propagation does not occur on contact with an ignition source.
Non Permit Confined Space: A 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.
Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere: An atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen by
volume.
Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere: An atmosphere containing more than 23.5 percent oxygen by
volume.
3
Permit Required Confined Space: A confined space that has one or more of the following
characteristics:
o
Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
o
Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;
o
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 to a smaller cross-section; or
o
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.
Testing: The process by which hazards that may confront entrants of a permit space are
identified and evaluated.
Ventilation: A process used to control the atmospheric hazards of confined spaces by replacing
unsafe air with clean, breathable air.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety and Risk Management
•
Establish and update the written Confined Space Entry Program.
•
Provide training as necessary.
•
Provide consultation to departments that enter confined spaces.
•
Maintain records of all confined space entries
Department or Auxiliary Organization
•
Ensure that all employees who are involved with a confined space entry (including
Authorized Entrant, Entry Attendant, and Entry Supervisor), have received training.
•
Provide and maintain equipment that is needed for confined space entry including, but
not limited to: atmospheric testing equipment, protective barriers,ventilation devices, and
rescue equipment.
•
Ensure that all confined space entries involving employees are conducted according to
this program.
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Confined Space Entry Supervisor
•
Ensure that all persons involved in a confined space entry are properly trained
•
Evaluate and classify the confined space prior to entry
•
Complete the Confined Space Entry Permit
•
Ensure that canceled permits are properly filed
•
Set up adequate ventilation for the space that will be entered. Ensure that the supply air
is taken from a clean source and that the ventilation is allowed to operate for at least 5
minutes prior to entering the space. If the ventilation ceases to operate, make sure all
Entrants leave the space immediately
Confined Space Entrant(s)
•
Must have completed confined space entry training.
•
Must stay in constant contact with the Attendant (i.e. sight, voice, or radio) during a
Permit Required Confined Space entry.
•
Use the appropriate safety equipment as specified on the Entry Permit.
•
The Entrant shall immediately evacuate the confined space if he/she becomes aware of
a previously unrecognized hazard. If this occurs, the Entrance Permit shall be canceled,
and the space must be reevaluated by an Entry Supervisor prior to re-entry
Entry Attendant
•
Must have completed confined space entry training.
•
Obtain and install the required safety equipment for Permit Required Confined Space
entries.
•
Monitor pedestrian barriers to protect entrant(s) from external hazards.
•
Monitor the atmosphere within the confined space during the entire entry operation.
•
Must remain in position until relieved by another trained Attendant.
•
Ensure that all lockout / tagout measures (if implemented) remain in place.
•
Responsible for ordering an evacuation if a situation develops that could endanger the
Entrant.
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY TEAM
A confined space entry team will consist of at least three fully trained employees. These
employees will be called the entrant, attendant (also the rescuer) and the lead man / supervisor
of the team.
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TRAINING
All the members of the confined space entry team are required to receive and complete training
in:
•
Employee rescue
•
Proper use and maintenance of PPE and rescue equipment
•
Use of full body harness, with lifeline
•
Use of atmospheric monitoring analyzers
•
Use of fire fighting equipment
•
Proper use of all entry permits
Refresher training should be held:
•
Before doing work within the confined space.
•
Whenever there is a change of work.
•
Whenever the conditions and hazards within the confined space change.
•
Whenever an employer has a reason to believe that the employee is not following the
established guidelines.
•
Whenever there are new procedures or operational changes.
•
All the above training will be held annually for confined space team members.
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
Equipment and tools required at confined space entry location;
•
Full body harness, with (D) rings and lifeline.
•
Ventilation – forced air blower.
•
Lock out / tag out – equipment if required
•
Fire extinguisher
•
Signs and barriers
•
Hand winch, with tripod
•
Respirators (as needed)
•
Entry permits
•
Explosion proof lighting, equipped with ground fault interrupters.
•
Tools – All hand and electric tools must be in good working order.
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•
All electrical cords, tools and equipment will be of heavy-duty type with heavy- duty
insulation.
•
Air driven power tools will be used when flammable liquids are present.
•
Cylinders of compressed gases will never be taken into a confined space.
•
All equipment that may be used in an inflammable atmosphere will be approved as
explosion proof.
•
PPE as needed
o
Clothing
o
Head protection
o
Eye protection
o
Hand protection
o
Hearing protection
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT
Entry into a confined space will be by permit only. The confined space entry permit will be
completed in accordance with the remaining sections of this program. The permit certifies that
all existing hazards have been evaluated by the qualified person and necessary protective
measures have been taken to assure the safety of each worker.
The supervisor and / or qualified person will complete the permit at least three days prior to
entry, unless emergency conditions arise, and sign the permit when all appropriate precautions
have been taken.
PRE – ENTRY PROCEDURES
Evaluation of confined space
The primary purpose of the evaluation will be to determine if the entry will be via "Alternate Entry
Procedures" or by "Permit Required Entry Procedures". To be classified as an "Alternate Entry"
space, the following conditions must exist:
•
The only hazard in the space is the potential for a hazardous atmosphere; and
•
The potential hazard can be eliminated through the use of continuous forced ventilation;
and
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•
Previous and current atmospheric monitoring data (gas tests) must demonstrate that
there has never been a record of an atmospheric hazard during an entry.
•
If an entrance cover must be removed, the opening shall be promptly guarded by railing,
temporary cover, or other temporary barrier that will prevent an accidental fall through
the opening, and to protect each employee working in the space from foreign objects
entering the space.
•
All hazardous sources of energy shall be locked and/or tagged out.
Hazard Control
Monitoring Confined Space Air Quality:
•
Calibrated Gas Detector capable of measuring oxygen content, LEL, and potentially
toxic atmospheres.
•
Prior to entering a Permit Required or Alternate Entry confined space, prepare the gas
detector by ensuring the device has been recently calibrated and is in good working
order.
•
Conduct a "bump test". Breathe into the gas detector probe and look for a decrease in
the oxygen concentration - the detector should alarm due to the lack of oxygen.
•
Sample the air quality of the space by slightly moving the lid, or by testing the space
through the hole in the lid (if available) before completely opening the space.
•
Lower the probe slowly, allowing time for the instrument to detect atmospheric changes
at different vertical heights within the space.
•
Measure in the following order:
o
Oxygen
o
LEL
o
H2S
o
CO
•
Record the results on the Confined Space Pre-Entry Permit
•
The gas detector will remain on during the entire entry operation will be regularly
inspected by the Attendant.
•
The Attendant will also record the gas readings on the Permit Entry at a minimum of one
(1) hour intervals.
•
Cease entry operations and remove entry personnel if the following concentrations are
exceeded at any time:
o
Oxygen reading less than 19.5% or greater than 22.5%
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o
Combustible gas reading greater than 9% LEL
o
H2S reading greater than 9 PPM
o
CO reading greater than 34 PPM
Lock out / tag out
•
Isolation procedures will be specific for each type of confined space entry and will be
developed by the supervisor and / or qualified person.
•
Confined spaces will be completely isolated from all other systems by physical
disconnection, double block and bleed, or blanking off all lines.
•
In continuous systems, where complete isolation is not possible, such as sewers or
utility tunnels, specific written safety procedures that are approved and enforced by the
department will be used.
•
All blanks for specific confined space will be recorded on the Confined Space Entry
Permit and kept in the department’s file, which will be available for inspection.
Electrical isolation
•
Electrical isolation of the confined space is designed to prevent accidental activation of
moving parts that would be hazardous to the worker.
•
Electrical isolation is achieved by locking circuit breakers and/or disconnectors in the
open (off) position with a key – padlock.
•
The only key is to remain with the person working inside the confined space.
•
If more than one person is inside the confined space, each person will place his / her
own lock on the circuit breaker.
•
In addition to the lock out system, there must be an accompanying tag that identifies the
operation and prohibits use.
Atmospheric testing and monitoring
Prior to entering any confined space, the atmosphere of the space will be tested by a qualified
person using an instrument approved by S&RM. Tests will be conducted to determine the
presence or absence of explosives or flammable gases, oxygen deficiency, or toxic substances.
Entry into confined spaces prohibited until initial testing of the atmosphere has been done from
the outside. The test performed by the qualified person will be documented in writing using the
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confined spacing permit and will include tests for combustibility, oxygen deficiency, and toxicity
as follows:
Combustibility
•
Prepare instrument to test for combustible gases before removing manhole cover.
•
All manholes and vaults will be tested prior to opening, if possible. The sampling probe
should be inserted through an access hole in the cover and the space will be tested at
one-foot intervals to its maximum depth.
•
If an access hole is not available, the cover will be lifted with care sufficiently enough to
insert the sampling probe.
•
The manhole or vault will be posted and barricaded to prevent accidental entry.
•
If an explosive atmosphere exists as indicated by the combustible gas analyzer, DO
NOT PROCEED. Immediately notify the supervisor and S&RM at extension 2066 or
6320.
Oxygen
If after determining that no explosive gases are present, test the confined space for
oxygen content. The top, middle and bottom thirds of the manhole or vault should be
checked using the sampling probe in the same manner as described in 2 and 3 above.
•
The percentage of oxygen for entry will be no less than 19.5 % and no greater than
23.5%. If the level is outside this range, purge and ventilate the space.
Toxic Gases
Tests will be conducted for carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gases, in
addition to any other toxic material as determined by the qualified person. The reading for
H2S must be below 10 ppm and CO below 25 ppm before entry is permitted.
•
If toxic levels are found, personnel will not enter the confined space until purging has
been performed.
•
Monitoring of confined space will be done on a continuous basis.
•
If the percentage of oxygen falls below 19.5% or toxic concentration in the confined
space cannot be kept within permissible exposure levels as set by CAL- OSHA,
approved respiratory protection will be used.
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Labeling and Posting
All entrances to any confined space will be posted. Signs will include but not necessarily
be limited to the following information:
DANGER
CONFINED SPACE
ENTRY BY PERMIT ONLY
When specific work practice is performed or specific safety equipment is necessary, the
following types of statements will be added, in big letters, to the warning sign:
RESPIRATOR REQUIRED
FOR ENTRY
LIFELINE REQUIRED
FOR ENTRY
HOT WORK PERMITTED
or
NO HOT WORK
Emergency procedures, including phone numbers to the University Police Department will be
posted conspicuously within the immediate area of the confined space, or at the telephone from
which help would be summoned.
Purging and ventilating
All confined space areas will be properly ventilated and tested before entrants will be
allowed to enter.
•
When ventilating and / or purging operations are performed, the blower forced air
controls will be positioned at a safe distance from the confined space.
•
Initial testing of the atmosphere will be performed from outside the confined space
before ventilation begins to determine what precautions are necessary for purging and
ventilating the confined space.
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•
Where continuous ventilation is not required, the atmosphere inside the confined space
will be tested until continuous acceptable levels of oxygen and contaminates are
maintained for three tests at five-minute intervals.
Continuous general ventilation
Continuous general ventilation will be maintained where toxic atmospheres are produced
as part of the work procedure, such as welding or painting, or where a toxic atmosphere
may develop due to the nature of the confined space.
Local exhaust ventilation
Local exhaust ventilation will be provided when general ventilation is not effective due to
restrictions in the confined space or when high concentration of contaminants occur in the
breathing zone of the worker.
•
The qualified person will determine what, if any, respiratory protection is required in
addition to engineering controls.
ENTRY AND RESCUE
Entry
Entry into confined spaces will not be attempted until all pre-entry procedures have been
conducted, the Confined Space Entry Permit has been completed, and the atmospheric testing
and monitoring has demonstrated the space to be safe for entry.
•
There will be at least three employees to a confined space entry team. The entrant will
enter the confined space, the attendant and the lead man / supervisor will stay on the
outside of the confined space area.
•
Confined space equipment is located in the following areas;
Full body harness,
Facilities Management
Tripod with hand winch,
Facilities Management
Ventilation equipment (forced air blower),
Facilities Management
Respiratory equipment, (if needed)
With each qualified employee
Atmospheric gas analyzers
Safety and Risk Management
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Rescue
A trained stand-by employee (attendant) will be assigned to each confined space entry team
and will maintain unobstructed lifelines and communications to all workers within the confined
space and summon rescue personnel, if necessary.
•
The standby person will call University Police if rescue attempt is to be made.
•
All rescues attempted by CSUB and auxiliary organization personnel will be Non-Entry
Rescues, this mean that rescuer will not enter the space at any time during rescue.
•
Retrieval equipment is required for all Permit Required vertical entries greater than 5 ft.
Retrieval equipment will include (but not be limited to) the following:
o
Rescue harness (chest or full body)
o
Rescue tripod
o
Rope or cable (inspected for damage)
SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
Facilities Management will be responsible for the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of
confined space safety equipment. The type of protective equipment required will be determined
by S&RM staff.
Respiratory protection
Such protection will be determined by the qualified person based upon conditions and best
results of the confined space and work activity to be performed.
Additional safety equipment
Such equipment will be provided by the department as is necessary to protect workers in the
environment of a confined space as follows:
•
A safety harness with “D” rings for attaching a lifeline will be worn at all times.
•
The combination of a body harness and / or safety belt with a lifeline will be used when
an employee is required to enter a confined space to complete a gas analysis.
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Other protective measurers include:
•
Safety nets used to protect employees working ten (10) feet above ground.
•
Life jackets worn if the workers are exposed to fall into a liquid over four (4) feet in depth.
•
Insulated floor mats when hot work requires use of electrical energy.
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Attachment 1
CSUB CONFINED SPACES
NOTE: All contractors are responsible for notifying CSUB Safety and Risk Management
(654-2066 or 6320) if their work will require entry into any of the following confined
spaces. This notification must be made prior to the starting the job.
Space
Location
Potential Hazards
Crawl Spaces
Above stationary
Asbestos, electrical, heat
ceilings and between walls
Air Handlers
Piping Tunnels
Mechanical rooms -
Moving fans, low light, lock
Campus wide
in, electrical
Underneath DDH
Low oxygen, lock in,
flooding
Electrical Vaults
Campus wide
High voltage electrical, low
oxygen, poisonous spiders,
standing water
Elevator Shafts
Campus wide
Electrical, fall, hazardous
energy
Telecommunications
Campus wide
Vaults
Cooling Tower
Low oxygen, electrical,
poisonous spiders
Central Plant
Water, electrical, moving
fans
Pool Pump Pit
Sewer Lift Station -
Hillman Aquatic
Low oxygen, slippery
Center
surfaces, fall
Campus wide
Potentially hazardous
15
Pump Rooms
atmosphere, fall
(routine maintenance)
Boilers #1,2,3
Central Plant
Low oxygen, mechanical
PERMIT REQUIRED
linkage, sloping surfaces,
airborne irritants, heat
Energy conservation
Central Plant
Fall, drowning, cold, lock in,
water storage tank
low oxygen, toxic gases
PERMIT REQUIRED
Sewer lift station - pump rooms
Campuswide
Low oxygen, toxic gases,
electrical,
(if open to sewer system)
rotating pumps, fall,
flammable
PERMIT REQUIRED
Sewer lift station -
gases, engulfment
Campuswide
Low oxygen, toxic gases,
settling trap
flammable, gases, slippery
PERMIT REQUIRED
surfaces, engulfment
Subterranean filter
Hillman Aquatic
Low oxygen, slippery
Center
drowning
surfaces,
& pump pit
PERMIT REQUIRED
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Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attachment 4
Confined Space Entry Decision
IS THIS A CONFINED SPACE?
Is the space designated “Permit Required” on the CSUB list?
Yes
No
Go immediately to the permit
entry vs. alternate entry decision
Yes
Does a hazardous atmosphere
exist?
No
Yes
Yes
Is hot work or chemical use required?
Can all other hazards be eliminated?
Yes
PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
1)
2)
3)
1)
Complete only top section of the permit form
Post the permit at the entry location
Wear the gas detector for continuous air monitoring
When the job is complete, file the permit in your departmental records and
send a copy to Safety and Risk Management
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Attachment 4
Confined Space Vs. Alternate Entry Decision
Is a hazardous atmosphere the only hazard?
Yes
No
Does forced air ventilation
eliminate the atmospheric hazard?
Yes
Can all other hazards be
eliminated?
No
Yes
No
All general and permit entry
requirements apply
1) Mechanical retrieval rescue
system not required
2) All other general and permit entry
requirement must be applied
2) Complete the permit form
3) Post the permit at the entry location
4) When the job is complete, file the permit
in your departmental records and send a
copy to Safety and Risk Management
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Attachment 5
CSU BAKERSFIELD CONFINED SPACE HOT WORK PERMIT
POST PERMIT AT JOB SITE UNTIL JOB IS COMPLETED
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 911 ON ANY CAMPUS TELEPHONE
Location and description of confined space
Purpose of entry
Department authorizing work
Date of entry
Entry supervisor
Time of entry
Attendants
Expiration date
Entrants
NOTES:
Potential Hazards
Personal protective equipment
Toxic
SCBA
Corrosive
Coveralls
Flammable
Face/eye protection
Radioactive
Footwear
Electrical Energy Release
Gloves
Mechanical Stored Energy
Respirator
Fire/heat
Head protection
Spills
Radiation dosimeter(s)
Procedures
Equipment Needed
Prep/Isolation
Communication devices
Cleaning/purging
Ventilation
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Lagging cloths/tarps
Entry permit
Lockout/tagout
Signs/barriers
Blanking/bleeding
Shower/eyewash located
Disconnect mechanical linkages
Barricade/cones
Secure moving parts
Fire extinguisher
•
•
Never bring gas cylinders or
other large equipment into space
•
•
Use only low voltage non-sparking tools,
inspected for frayed/broken wires before use
Never block entry/exit with
•
Lighting must be intrinsically safe
equipment
•
Entire area must be shut down during breaks
Fire watch to remain 30 minutes
or overnight
after completion of hot work
Safety and Risk Management Department
Entry Supervisor
____________________________________________________________________________
Signature
Date
Signature
Date
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