Confined Space
Recent Changes to SLAC Confined Space Program
Significant changes have
been made to the SLAC confined space program detailed in ES&H
Manual Chapter 6
"Confined Space". Major changes include establishing:
- A formal procedure for entry into non-permit-required
confined spaces (section 5.2.1).
- A formal procedure for entry into permit-required confined
spaces (section 5.2.2).
- A requirement for a rescue plan for all Permit Required
Confined Space Entries.
- Expanded Roles & Responsibilities (section 5.1.3) for
all personnel involved in confined space program. Positions
new to the program are:
- Confined Space Owners - MFD must designate
an owner for each confined space
in our buildings
- Competent Entry Supervisors - This is a person
who is responsible for determining if acceptable entry
conditions are present for entry, for authorizing entry,
overseeing entry operations, and terminating any permit
required space operations.
Randy Ralston has been qualified and designated
to serve as a Competent Entry Supervisor for MFD (alternate
is
Don Dains)
Steps to Take for Entering a Confined Space
Entry into all confined spaces must be done following
newly established procedures.
Classification of Confined Spaces
Confined spaces will be classified as permit-required or
non-permit required by the
confined
space program manager or
competent
entry supervisor. The program manager will maintain an inventory
of all confined spaces (database under development)
In addition, permit-required confined spaces will be evaluated,
profiled, and labeled by the program manager or a competent
entry supervisor.
Confined space
A space that has the following three characteristics:
- It is large enough and so configured that a
person can bodily enter and perform assigned work.
- It has limited or restricted means for entry
or exit
- It is not designated for continuous human occupancy.
Permit-required confined space (PRCS)
A confined space that has one or more of the following
characteristics:
- Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous
atmosphere
- Contains a material that has the potential for
engulfing an entrant
- 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
- Contains any other recognized serious safety
or health hazard
Confined Space Owners Responsibilities
Owners of confined spaces are responsible for:
- Ensuring the confined space is properly signed
- Reporting any obvious change in condition to the space
to the confined space program manager.
- Ensuring the confined space is identified on the Area
Hazard Analysis
- Preventing 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
MFD Confined Spaces and the Owners
(coming soon ...)
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