It
is well recognized that working in permit-required
confined spaces involves significant risks to
employees. Fatalities and injuries have been
caused by a variety of confined space related
hazards, including:
- Atmospheric
Hazards
- Entrapment
Hazards
- Engulfment
Hazards
- Mechanical
and Electrical Hazards
- Untrained
Personnel
The
Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) Standard
29 CFR 1910.146 has been developed and implemented
to alleviate or control these risks for the
approximately 1.6 million workers who enter
confined spaces annually. It is expected that
this standard will prevent approximately 55-60
fatalities and more than 5,000 serious injuries
each year.
The
standard is based on a performance-oriented
approach, which is designed to provide employers
with the flexibility of achieving compliance
through a proactive system specific to their
particular worksite. The standard covers all
general industry, including agricultural services,
manufacturing, chemical plants, refineries,
transportation, utilities, wholesale and retail
trade and miscellaneous services. It does not
cover the construction, maritime, agriculture
or shipyard sectors of industry. In the construction
industry, the American National Safety Institute
(ANSI) document Z117.1 is used in conjunction
with the OSHA General Duty Clause 5(a)(1).
Additionally,
the following vertical standards take precedence
over the Permit-Required Confined Entry Space
standard for the specific hazards they address.
1910.120(b)(4)(ii)(l)
Hazardous Waste Site Specific Safety & Health
plan must address confined space entry procedures.
1910.252(a)(4)(i)
Removal of arc welding electrodes during suspension
of work in confined spaces.
1910.252
(b)(4)(i) to (vii) Protection of personnel welding
in confined spaces (ventilation, securing welding
equipment, lifelines, electrode removal, gas
cylinder shutoff, warnings).
1910.252(c)(4)
Health protection and ventilation during welding
operations in confined spaces.
1910.252(c)(9)
Specifies ventilation and respiratory protection
requirements for welding in confined spaces
using cadmium-bearing filler metal.
1910.252(c)(10)
Specifies local exhaust ventilation or respiratory
protection for welding in confined spaces using
cadmium-bearing materials, including paint,
in confined spaces.
1910.261(b)(5)
Specifies safe practices (lifeline, safety harness,
attendant, atmospheric testing, availability
of SCBA, and lock out) for entering a vessel
in pulp, paper, and paperboard mills.
1910.268(o)
Addresses certain hazards involving manhole
and unvented vault entry by telecommunication
workers.
1910.272(g)
Specifies entry procedures for bins, silos,
and flat storage buildings and tanks with a
diameter less than the height, and for all top
entries of these structures in grain facilities.
1917.23
Addresses entry into hazardous atmospheres at
marine terminals (testing, ventilation, standby
observers).
1910.152(b)
Requires that work not be performed in confined
spaces until it is determined, through atmospheric
testing, that the space is not hazardous.
1917.152(f)(2)
Requires ventilation and respiratory protection,
with standby person, when hot work is done in
confined spaces.
1917.152(f)(3)
Specific requirements for welding, cutting or
heating of toxic metals in confined spaces.
1918.93
Addresses entry into storage spaces or tanks
where potential hazardous atmospheres exist.
Please
note that the above vertical standards address
specific hazards in specific operations, and
therefore take precedence over 1910.146 for
these situations. However, other hazardous conditions,
not addressed by the vertical standards, are
still covered under 1910.146.
Again,
it is the responsibility of the employer to
institute the appropriate protective measures
required. Doing so will provide a safer and
healthier work environment.
Next
Section: Summary and Explaination of the Standard
