Confined Space Safety Training
1. What Is a Confined Space
A confined space is:
- Large enough to enter
- Limited means of entry or exit
- Not designed for continuous occupancy
Examples include tanks, manholes, vaults, and pits.
2. Permit-Required vs Non-Permit
A Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) has one or more of the following hazards:
- Hazardous atmosphere
- Engulfment risk
- Entrapment configuration
- Other serious hazards
When in doubt, treat the space as permit-required.
3. The Invisible Killers: Atmosphere
The hazardous atmospheres you must test for include:
- Oxygen deficiency (<19.5%)
- Oxygen enrichment (>23.5%)
- Flammable gases (>10% LEL)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
You can't see, smell, or taste most of these hazards.
4. The Three Roles
- Entry Supervisor: authorizes entry
- Entrant: enters and communicates
- Attendant (Hole Watch): stays outside at all times
5. Before Entry
- Complete permit
- Lockout/tagout applied
- Atmosphere tested in order: oxygen first, then flammable, then toxics
- Ventilation running
- Rescue equipment staged
6. The #1 Rule: Never Go In After Someone
The leading cause of confined space fatalities is would-be rescuers attempting entry.
- Use a retrieval line from outside
- Call 911
7. Emergency Response
- Alert the attendant
- Initiate non-entry rescue
- Call 911 as a confined space emergency
- Do not enter without proper equipment
8. Key Takeaways
- Confined spaces have specific characteristics and hazards
- Permit-required spaces have serious hazards requiring special procedures
- Atmospheric testing order is critical: oxygen, then flammable, then toxics
- Rescue attempts without proper equipment are the leading cause of fatalities
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge