Requirements: Roles and Responsibilities

Confined Space Program Manager

Besides developing requirements and training, the confined space program manager will

• Along with competent entry supervisors, survey and profile confined spaces and determine which are permit required
• Maintain the Confined Space Inventory
• Collect and retain cancelled permits for one year
• Advise competent entry supervisors
• Ensure that subcontractors have an OSHA or Cal/OSHA compliant program

Managers and Supervisors

Line management is responsible for confined space entries and for designating competent entry supervisors.

Confined Space Owners

Confined space owners must ensure confined spaces are properly signed and any obvious change in condition to the space is reported to the confined space program manager.

Competent Entry Supervisors

Competent entry supervisors will

• Be properly trained (see Confined Space Training)
• Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs, or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure
• Verify, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin
• Terminate the entry and cancel the permit when the entry operations covered by the entry permit have been completed or a condition that is not allowed under the entry permit arises in or near the permit space
• Verify that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable
• Remove unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations
• Determine, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained
• Approve alternate entries into PRCSs and reclassifications of them
• Profile newly discovered or created confined spaces and notify the program manager. The competent supervisor will provide the program manager with photographs and specific information about the space for inclusion in the confined space inventory.
• Forward all cancelled permits to the program manager

Attendants

Attendants will

• Be properly trained (see Confined Space Training)
• Know the hazards that may be encountered during the entry, as well as behavioral/physiological symptoms and health effects if overexposure occurs
• Monitor activities inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe for entrants to remain
• Maintain an accurate account of authorized entrants in the permit-required space.
• Maintain communication with the authorized entrants to monitor their work activities and to alert them if evacuation is necessary.
• Remain outside the space during entry operation until relieved by another authorized attendant.
• Perform no other activities which may interfere with the primary job of monitoring safety and condition of authorized entrants inside the space.
• Summon rescue and other emergency services to facilitate escape from the permit-required space.
• Performs non-entry rescues

Authorized Entrants

Authorized entrants will

• Be properly trained (see Confined Space Training)
• Know the hazards that may be encountered during the entry, as well as mode, symptoms and health effects if overexposure occurs
• Operate any equipment required for the safety of the entry operation
• Maintain communication with the authorized attendant
• Notify the attendant of any indication of a dangerous situation or prohibited condition and exits immediately
• Exit the permit space as quickly as possible whenever instructed by the attendant or the competent entry supervisor for any reason

Emergency Services Personnel

Emergency services must provide a rescue team that meets all training and equipment requirements. Rescue procedures must be space-specific.

Individuals responsible for making entry rescues must

• Have made practice rescues using people or manikins from representative spaces within the previous 12 months
• Be trained to perform assigned duties plus the duties of the authorized entrant
• Be trained in first aid and CPR

University Technical Representatives

University technical representatives (UTRs) overseeing work that will require subcontractors to enter permit-required confined spaces will

• Ensure contractors have adequate PRCS training and a compliant written confined space entry program prior to entering permit-required confined spaces
• Inform subcontractors of the potential hazards posed by the confined spaces involved
• Debrief subcontractors after confined space entry work to review and resolve any issues that may have arisen during work

Subcontractors

Subcontractors must have an OSHA or Cal/OSHA compliant program before being allowed to do confined space work. This review will be done as part of the pre-work hazard analysis. Subcontractors will

• Observe all posted labels and signs identifying and restricting entry into permit-required confined spaces, and obtain information on hazards and procedures specific to PRCSs involved in their work
• Inform their SLAC customer prior to making an entry into a permit-required confined space. This must occur at least three working days prior to entry, unless requested by the SLAC customer and approved by the confined program manager
• Immediately notify their SLAC contact if previously unidentified hazards are discovered in a confined space, or if a permit-required confined space is not identified or secured as required
• Maintain and make available the material safety data sheets (MSDSs) of any hazardous materials they will be using in the confined space
• Meet the requirements of this program and applicable regulations in accordance with their company's confined space program
• Participate in debriefing sessions following confined space entries