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Environmental Health & Safety |
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Confined
Space Entry Decision
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Flow
Chart
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| Definition of a Confined Space: | Definition of Permit Required Confined Space: | ||
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1.
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Is a space large enough and so configured so that an employee can enter and perform work, and; |
1.
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Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; or |
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2.
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Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and; |
2.
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Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing and Entrant; or |
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3.
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Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. |
3.
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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; or |
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4.
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Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard. | ||
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~
Confined Space Entry Decision Flow Chart ~
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| Is the confined space a permit space? |
NO
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Permit not required. Use other appropriate safe work practices. | |
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YES | |||
| Will the permit space be entered? |
NO
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Prevent employee entry. Do tasks from outside the permit space. | |
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YES | |||
| Can the hazards be eliminated? |
YES
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Permit space may be reclassified to a non-permit required confined space. | |
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NO | |||
| Can the space be maintained in a condition safe to enter by continuous forced air ventilation only? (i.e. is the only hazard atmospheric?) |
YES
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Space may be entered using Alternate Entry Procedures. | |
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NO | |||
| Prepare for entry via permit procedures approved by Entry Supervisor. | ||||
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| Verify acceptable entry conditions (test results recorded, space isolated if necessary, rescuer/emergency communications available, entrants properly equipped, etc.) |
NO
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Permit not valid until conditions meet permit specifications. | |
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YES | |||
| Acceptable entry condition maintained throughout entry? |
NO
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Emergency exists (prohibited condition) Entrants must be evacuated. Permit is void. | |
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YES | |||
| Entry tasks completed. Permit returned and canceled. | ||||