What is a confined space and why should I care?

What is a confined space?

Confined spaces are occupational safety hazards that kill approximately 120 workers in the United States every year.?The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines confined spaces as a space that has all three of the following characteristics:

"(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, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and

(3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy." (OSHA 1910.146)

Prior to any work being performed, employers are required to ensure that a confined space competent person assess the workplace for confined spaces, and more specifically, for permit-required confined spaces (or permit-space for short).

What is a permit-space?

In addition to meeting the definition of a confined space, permit-required confined spaces will also have at least one of the following characteristics:

"(1) Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;

(2) Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;

(3) 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

(4) Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard." (OSHA 1910.146)

The hazard that kills the most workers inside permit-spaces are atmospheric in nature, such as oxygen deficient and toxic atmospheres.

What if my workplace has permit-spaces?

If your employees need to work in confined spaces identified as being permit-required by a competent person, you must develop and utilize a written permit-required confined space program.?This program must include a number of policies that are intended to protect employees from the hazards associated with permit-spaces.?One of the most important parts of the written program is the section detailing what rescue services will be provided for employees working in the spaces.

Not sure if a competent person has assessed your workplace??Have a permit-required confined space program, but not sure if it satisfies OSHA requirements??We can help!?Contact us and let us know what question(s) you have.?You can also check out our Confined Space Entry Awareness class and Rescue Standby Team services.