Requirements:
Procedures and Specific Requirements

Non-permit-required Confined Space Entry

SLAC employees and subcontractors may enter a non-permit-required confined space (NPRCS) if all of the following conditions are met:

1. A NPRCS Pre-entry Checklist is completed and signed (see Procedures and Forms Confined Space Pre-entry Checklist for Non-permit Required Spaces).
2. The work to be performed in the confined space will not produce any of the hazards that would create a PRCS.
3. Proper personal protective equipment is used.
4. The two-person rule is used.
5. Measures are taken to control any hazards outside the space, such as vehicular traffic.
6. The opening of the confined space is guarded by railing, temporary covers, or other barriers to prevent an accidental fall, and to protect workers in the space as well as passersby. This requirement will not apply when the confined space is in a remote area which is not subject to pedestrian traffic.
7. Space is evacuated upon any indication of an abnormal or unexpected condition inside the space.

Hazardous Work in Non-permit-required Confined Spaces

Hazardous work in a NPRCS may generate one or more of the hazards listed under Confined Space Hazards/Impacts. Supervisors of hazardous work in a confined space may contact the confined space program manager to request a review. This request should be made at least two days before scheduled work.

If the confined space program manager or a competent entry supervisor determines that the hazardous work to be performed in the NPRCS will generate one or more of the hazards listed in Section Error! Reference source not found., the confined space will be classified as a PRCS for the duration of the hazardous work and a permit will be required. Only subcontractors and authorized SLAC personnel will be allowed to perform the hazardous work.

Examples of hazardous work in a confined space include the following:

• Painting
• Cleaning with acids or solvents
• Welding
• Brazing
• Torch cutting
• Sanding with power tools
• Sandblasting
• Utility-line breaking
• Using cryogenic gases
• Operating valves capable of releasing material, such as water or gas, in a quantity sufficient to engulf a person or cause a hazardous atmosphere
• Work that involves reduction-oxidation reactions

Note: A signed and approved hot work permit is required for any spark or flame-producing activities to be done in the space. Proper lock out/tag out procedures must be in place where applicable, and must be performed by authorized persons properly trained in the control of hazardous energies. (See SLAC Lock and Tag Program for the Control of Hazardous Energy)

Permit-required Confined Space Entry Procedure

Entry into a PRCS will follow an established procedure and be controlled by an entry permit. See Exhibits, procedure, permit, checklist

Permit-required Confined Space Entry under Alternate Procedures

If the space is classified as a PRCS and the only hazard posed is an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere (as documented in the profile for that space), steps can be taken to enter the space under alternate entry procedures.

This involves demonstrating that continuous forced air ventilation alone is sufficient to inert the hazardous atmosphere and maintain the space for safe entry. Successful entry under alternate entry procedures is accomplished by obtaining monitoring and inspection data and making the certification and supporting documentation available to entrants. (See Procedures and Forms Confined Space Alternate Entry Permit.) An approved alternate entry procedure precludes many of the requirements of a permit entry.

If there are other hazards present other than atmospheric, alternate entry procedures may not be used. However, reclassification of the space to non-permit may be possible (see section below regarding reclassification).

Permit-required Confined Space Entry under Reclassification

A PRCS may be temporarily reclassified as a non-permit space if it poses no actual or potential atmospheric hazards and if all hazards within the space are eliminated without entry into it.

Hazard elimination consists of flushing all chemicals, verifying a safe pH in the space, isolating incoming fluid or gas lines via blanking/blinding or a double block and bleed system, removing or locking out any exposed mechanical and electrical energies, and so on.

A space may be reclassified by the confined space program manager or any competent entry supervisor by filling out, signing, and keeping on file a reclassification form. (See Procedures and Forms Confined Space Reclassification Form.)

If all hazards are completely eliminated (that is, no remaining potential), the space may be considered non-permit required for the duration of the entry, as long as the hazards remain eliminated. Any change in the space resulting in re-introduction of hazards will require the space to be vacated and re-assessed. Entry will not be allowed until all hazards are eliminated.

Non-entry Rescue - Retrieval Systems

If feasible whenever an authorized entrant enters a permit space, retrieval systems will be used to facilitate non-entry rescue. Each entrant will use a full-body harness with a retrieval line attached. The other end of the line will be attached to a mechanical device or fixed point. Wristlets may be used to aid in a difficult extraction; however, wristlets should not be used to support a person's weight.

Entry Rescue

When non-entry rescue is not feasible, emergency services must be able to provide entry rescue in timely manner considering the nature of hazards present in the space. For atmospheric or other life-threatening hazards, emergency services must be immediately available at the confined space during entry and prepared for entry rescue (rescue equipment and personal protective equipment staged for immediate response).

All entry rescues will be performed by authorized emergency services stationed on site at SLAC (either SLAC or subcontractor). 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

Inventory of Confined Spaces

The confined space program manager will maintain an inventory of confined spaces, including a profile of the hazards, conditions, and mitigations for specific PRCSs. (See Procedures and Forms Confined Space Profile Form.) The program manager will continually track changes in the inventory and annually solicit modifications to the inventory from confined space owners, who must ensure the accuracy of the inventory as it applies to their confined spaces.

New Permit-required Confined Spaces

Upon creation or discovery of a new or suspected PRCS, the building/area/facility manager must notify the program manager. The program manager will then evaluate the PRCS and distribute a written statement to all building/area/facility managers to apprise them of the new PRCS. Building/area/facility managers must ensure that employees are aware of the location and hazards of the new PRCS and designate an owner for the space. Information on new PRCSs will be included in subsequent distributions of the Confined Space Inventory.

Preventing Entry into Permit-required Confined Spaces

Confined space owners must prevent unauthorized persons from entering PRCSs by one or more of the following:

• Placing a prohibitive warning sign at the entrance
• Placing the entrance in a location that is difficult to reach without the use of a ladder, scissor lift, hoist, or other inconvenient means
• Locking or bolting the entrance
• Welding the entrance shut
• Making access to the entrance difficult without the use of tools, heavy equipment, or multiple employees

Equipment Maintenance

All confined space entry equipment will be properly maintained and calibrated. In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, equipment owners will develop and follow a maintenance schedule, and the equipment will carry inspection and calibration information when appropriate.

Subcontractor Interaction

If permit-required confined space entry is required by subcontractors, their work will be governed by their companies' OSHA or Cal/OSHA compliant written confined space programs. Subcontractors will provide proof of adequate confined space entry operations training and rescue provisions prior to working in permit-required spaces.

Program Review

The confined space program manager will assess the program and cancelled permits from PRCS entries at least annually or more frequently when informed of circumstances where control measures taken may not protect employees. Circumstances requiring such a review include

• Unauthorized entry
• Detection of hazards not covered
• Detection of prohibited conditions
• Injury or near-miss
• Change in space use or configuration
• Employee complaints about program effectiveness

Note: When confined space program reviews are initiated due to the above circumstances, deficiencies will be corrected prior to subsequent entry.