A confined space has any one of the following characteristics:

          ~ limited openings for entry and exit
          ~ large enough that you can enter and perform assigned work
          ~ not designed for continuous worker occupancy

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Know the hazards and protect yourself!
          ~ Oxygen supply inside the space
          ~ Chemical use hazards
          ~ Energy and equipment hazards

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Confined Space Entry

Have the hazards of the space been identified?
          ~ Have you been informed of what those hazards are?

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What protective equipment do you need to use?
          ~ Have you been trained to use the protective equipment?

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Do you have an attendant who remains outside of the confined space in case of emergency?
          ~ Is there a reliable means of communication between you (inside the space) and the attendant (outside the space)?

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Entering a confined space could put your life at risk.
Know the hazards and protect yourself!

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Planning For Confined Space Entry

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Identify the hazards in the confined space.

Hazards could include:
          ~ atmospheric hazards (lack of sufficient oxygen or breathing air)
          ~ energy source controls (electrical, thermal, pressure, gravitational)
          ~ tools/equipment (within the space or brought in by entrants)
          ~ chemical hazards (within the space or brought in by entrants)
          ~ rescue or protective equipment that restricts movement, or
          ~ a shaped or configured space where employees could be trapped (tapered end) or engulfed by materials (a grain silo).

Restrict access to confined spaces and post warning signs.
Employees and any other untrained persons must be restricted from accessing a confined space where undue hazards could injure or harm them. Warning signs of the confined space and its hazards must be posted at the entrance to the space.

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Establish requirements for all entrants.
Entrants must know and understand the hazards of the space, the equipment they will be using, chemical exposure hazards, restriction of movement, and any other hazards potentially encountered within the confined space. They must know the measures to take to protect themselves from these hazards and understand the operation of the communications equipment used to summon assistance in an emergency. They must never enter a confined space without an attendant present.

Monitor hazards and have protective measures in place.
Air-monitoring equipment in good operating condition must be used before and during any confined space entry, and other hazard-monitoring controls must be established.

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Establish a written entry plan or permit.
An entry plan that identifies the space; the hazards involved; the monitoring processes; the protective measures to be taken; the signage; the training required for all entrants, attendants, supervisors, and rescue personnel; the communications equipment to be used; the tasks to be performed; the step-by-step procedures to accomplish the job while in the space; and the emergency rescue procedures must be written and communicated to all parties involved in the entry.

Provide training for entrants, attendants, and supervisors.
Training must include hazard identification, protective measures, protective equipment and its proper use and maintenance (including respiratory protection), chemical hazard awareness, steps to complete the task, use of the communications equipment to summon assistance, process to stop work if work is not performed safely or unintended hazards are encountered, and emergency rescue procedures.

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