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Confined Spaces

Every year several confined space entrants and would be rescuers die from hazards, such as oxygen deficiency, toxic and explosive atmospheres, and uncontrolled energized equipment. To prevent such accidents employers must be able to:

  • Recognize a confined space and the specific hazards associated with that space.
  • Know and understand T8 CCR 5156, 5157, 5158 and related requirements concerning respiratory protection, fall protection, lock-out/block-out procedures, fire prevention, and rescue.
  • Implement the safety orders effectively.

    • Note: For most construction work 5158 applies; however, work in confined spaces during refurbishing operations may be subject to the permit-required confined space regulations in 5157 (see 5156).

A. Confined space is defined in 5158(b)(1) as space that exhibits both of the following conditions:

  1. The existing ventilation does not remove dangerous air contaminants or oxygen-deficient air that exists or may exist or develop.
  2. Ready access or egress for the removal of a suddenly disabled employee is difficult because of the location or size of the opening(s).

B. The following locations may exhibit confined-space conditions:

  1. Trenches and excavations
  2. Sewers and drains
  3. Tanks
  4. Vaults
  5. Wells and shafts
  6. Crawl spaces
  7. Ducts
  8. Compartments
  9. Pits, tubs, and bins
  10. Pipelines

C. Employers must check initially and if conditions can change, employers must check on an ongoing basis to discern whether work locations exhibit confined-space conditions.

If confined-space conditions have been identified, the following must be completed before employees may begin work:

  1. Written operating procedures must be prepared, and employees must be trained. 5158(c)(1), (2)
  2. Lines containing hazardous substances must be disconnected, blinded, or blocked. 5158(d)(1)
  3. The space must be emptied, flushed, or purged. 5158(d)(2)
  4. The air must be tested for dangerous contamination or oxygen deficiency. 5158(d)(5)(A)
  5. Ventilation must be provided if testing reveals any atmospheric hazard. 5158(d)(6)

D. Working in a confined space where dangerous air contamination exists requires:

  1. Appropriate respiratory protection. 5158(d)(11), 5158(e)(1)
  2. Provisions for ready entry and exit where feasible. 5158(d)(10)
  3. The wearing of a safety harness attached to a retrieval line and retrieval equipment (see Illustration 3). 5158(e)(1)(C), (E)

    4. Exception: See 5158(e)(1)(C)

     

  4. One standby employee (with entry gear) trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation plus one additional employee within sight or call. 5158(e)(1), (2)
  5. Effective means of communication between the employee in the confined space and the standby employee. 5158(e)(2)
  6. Ongoing atmospheric testing for dangerous air contamination and oxygen deficiency. 5158(d)
  7. Ongoing surveillance of the surrounding area to avoid hazards, such as vapors drifting from nearby tanks, piping, sewers, and operations. 5158(c)(1)(B)