RETA Breeze Jul-Aug 2022

WORKING AROUND CONFINED SPACES IN YOUR FACILITY

The definition of a confined space is a space that meets all three of the criteria below: 1. It is large enough and so configured that a person can bodily enter the space and conduct work. 2. It has a limited or restricted means of entry or exit. 3. It is not designed for continuous occupancy. Some examples of confined spaces in our workplaces are tanks, storage bins, condens- ers, oil separators, tunnels, crawl spaces, vessels and silos. These confined spaces must be clearly identified by a sign or label placed near the space as a Permit Required Confined Space or a Non-Permit Confined Space. A permit required confined space is a space that meets any of the criteria listed below: 1. Has an engulfment hazard, such as a silo used to store dry ingredients. 2. Contains, or has the potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere. 3. The internal configuration of the space could allow someone to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section. 4. Contains, or could potentially contain, any other recognized safety or health hazard.

If a space contains, or could potentially contain, a hazardous atmosphere then pre-entry testing must be conducted. Periodic testing (every 30 minutes) must also be conducted for the duration of the work when someone is inside of the space. Typically, the most common type of hazard is a hazardous atmosphere. A hazardous atmo- sphere is an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided from a permit space), injury, acute illness or is immediately dangerous to life and health. Refrigeration Technicians should consider testing for these hazards prior to entering a confined space: 1. NH3 liquid or vapor 2. Oxygen levels between 19.5 and 23.5 percent (O2) 3. Lower explosive limits (LEL) of any highly combustible liquid or vapor

Most workplaces in use today have confined spaces. Since these confined spaces can cause serious or death, it is important to know how to recognize them and how to work safely when required to enter one. From 2011 to 2018, 1,030 workers died due to a confined space incident.

4. Carbon Monoxide (CO) 5. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

Ensure your facility has a calibrated 4 gas meter and a calibrated NH3 hand-held tester for use during confined space maintenance tasks. In the next issue of The Breeze I will discuss how a confined space entry team is organized, and the duties of each of these persons.

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