CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROCEDURE Company: [COMPANY NAME] Effective Date: [DATE] Review Date: [DATE] Procedure Number: CS-001 1. PURPOSE This procedure establishes requirements for safe entry into confined spaces to protect employees from atmospheric hazards, engulfment, entrapment, and other serious safety and health hazards. 2. SCOPE This procedure applies to all confined space entry operations at [COMPANY NAME] facilities, including permit-required confined spaces and non-permit confined spaces. 3. DEFINITIONS Confined Space: A space that: • Is large enough for an employee to enter and perform work • Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit • Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy Permit-Required Confined Space: A confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: • Contains or has potential for hazardous atmosphere • Contains material that could engulf an entrant • Has internal configuration that could trap an entrant • Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard Attendant: Individual stationed outside permit space who monitors entrants and performs attendant duties. Entry Supervisor: Person responsible for determining if conditions are acceptable for entry and for authorizing entry. Entrant: Employee who enters a permit space. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES Entry Supervisor: • Authorize entry permits • Verify acceptable entry conditions • Terminate entry when necessary • Remove unauthorized personnel • Ensure emergency services availability Attendant: • Monitor entrants continuously • Maintain communication • Order evacuation when necessary • Summon rescue services • Prevent unauthorized entry Entrants: • Follow entry procedures • Use required equipment properly • Maintain communication with attendant • Exit immediately when ordered • Alert attendant to warning signs 5. CONFINED SPACE IDENTIFICATION CONFINED SPACE INVENTORY: [LIST ALL CONFINED SPACES WITH LOCATIONS] Space ID: [CS-001] Location: [SPECIFIC LOCATION] Description: [DETAILED DESCRIPTION] Classification: □ Permit Required □ Non-Permit Hazards Present: [LIST HAZARDS] Entry Frequency: [FREQUENCY] MARKING AND SIGNAGE: • Post warning signs at all entrances • Use standardized confined space labels • Include emergency contact information • Update signage when conditions change 6. HAZARD ASSESSMENT ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS: • Oxygen deficiency (below 19.5%) • Oxygen enrichment (above 23.5%) • Flammable gases (above 10% LEL) • Toxic substances (above PEL/TLV) • Corrosive atmospheres PHYSICAL HAZARDS: • Engulfment in liquids or solids • Entrapment by converging walls • Falls from height • Electrical hazards • Mechanical hazards • Temperature extremes BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS: • Infectious agents • Decomposing organic matter • Animal or insect infestations • Contaminated surfaces 7. ATMOSPHERIC TESTING TESTING REQUIREMENTS: • Test before entry • Test continuously during entry • Test after any interruption • Use calibrated instruments • Follow manufacturer's instructions TESTING SEQUENCE: 1. Oxygen content 2. Flammable gases and vapors 3. Toxic gases and vapors 4. Other potential hazards ACCEPTABLE LEVELS: • Oxygen: 19.5% - 23.5% • Flammable gases: Below 10% LEL • Toxic substances: Below PEL/TLV • Carbon monoxide: Below 35 ppm • Hydrogen sulfide: Below 10 ppm TESTING EQUIPMENT: • Multi-gas detectors • Oxygen meters • Combustible gas indicators • Toxic gas monitors • Sampling pumps and tubes 8. VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS NATURAL VENTILATION: • Adequate air movement • No stagnant areas • Continuous air exchange • Weather considerations MECHANICAL VENTILATION: • Forced air supply • Exhaust ventilation • Air flow calculations • Equipment specifications VENTILATION PROCEDURES: • Start ventilation before entry • Maintain during entire entry • Monitor air quality continuously • Have backup ventilation available 9. ENTRY PERMIT SYSTEM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS: • Completed before each entry • Valid for specific time period • Signed by entry supervisor • Posted at entry point • Cancelled when entry complete PERMIT INFORMATION: • Space identification • Purpose of entry • Date and duration • Authorized entrants • Attendant assignments • Entry supervisor • Hazards identified • Control measures • Testing results • Equipment required • Emergency contacts PERMIT DURATION: • Maximum 8 hours • Specific to one entry • Cancelled if conditions change • New permit for re-entry 10. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED PPE: • Hard hats • Safety glasses • Protective clothing • Safety shoes • Gloves (as appropriate) RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: • Air-purifying respirators (if appropriate) • Supplied-air respirators • Self-contained breathing apparatus • Emergency escape respirators FALL PROTECTION: • Full body harnesses • Retrieval lines • Mechanical retrieval systems • Anchor points outside space COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT: • Two-way radios • Emergency signals • Backup communication methods 11. ENTRY PROCEDURES PRE-ENTRY CHECKLIST: □ Permit completed and posted □ Atmospheric testing completed □ Ventilation operating □ PPE inspected and donned □ Communication established □ Emergency services notified □ Retrieval equipment ready □ All personnel briefed ENTRY SEQUENCE: 1. Verify permit conditions 2. Start continuous monitoring 3. Establish communication 4. Begin entry with retrieval line 5. Maintain attendant position 6. Monitor entrant continuously 7. Complete work safely 8. Exit and secure space CONTINUOUS MONITORING: • Atmospheric conditions • Entrant status • Communication systems • Emergency equipment • Weather conditions 12. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN: • Immediate evacuation signals • Rescue procedures • Medical emergency response • Fire department notification • Incident reporting EVACUATION PROCEDURES: 1. Attendant orders immediate exit 2. Entrants exit immediately 3. Account for all personnel 4. Secure entry point 5. Notify emergency services 6. Provide first aid if needed RESCUE PROCEDURES: • Never enter for rescue without proper equipment • Use mechanical retrieval systems • Call professional rescue services • Provide emergency medical care • Maintain scene security EMERGENCY CONTACTS: • Fire Department: 911 • Emergency Medical: 911 • Company Emergency: [PHONE] • Safety Manager: [PHONE] • Facility Manager: [PHONE] 13. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ENTRY SUPERVISOR TRAINING: • Confined space hazards • Permit system requirements • Testing procedures • Emergency response • Regulatory requirements ATTENDANT TRAINING: • Monitoring responsibilities • Communication procedures • Emergency response • Rescue procedures • Equipment operation ENTRANT TRAINING: • Hazard recognition • Safe entry procedures • PPE usage • Emergency procedures • Communication protocols TRAINING FREQUENCY: • Initial comprehensive training • Annual refresher training • Retraining after incidents • Updates for procedure changes 14. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS ATMOSPHERIC TESTING: • Multi-gas detectors • Calibration gases • Sampling equipment • Backup instruments VENTILATION: • Blowers and fans • Flexible ducting • Air movers • Backup power COMMUNICATION: • Two-way radios • Emergency signals • Backup systems • Testing procedures RETRIEVAL: • Mechanical winches • Retrieval lines • Full body harnesses • Anchor points EMERGENCY: • First aid supplies • Emergency lighting • Rescue equipment • Fire extinguishers 15. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS: • Confined space training • Equipment certification • Insurance coverage • Safety program documentation COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS: • Pre-work meeting • Permit review • Emergency procedures • Communication protocols • Equipment compatibility OVERSIGHT: • Company attendant required • Continuous monitoring • Compliance verification • Performance evaluation 16. SPECIAL SITUATIONS HOT WORK IN CONFINED SPACES: • Additional fire watch required • Hot work permit needed • Enhanced ventilation • Fire suppression equipment • Continuous monitoring MULTIPLE ENTRY TEAMS: • Separate permits required • Additional attendants • Coordination procedures • Communication protocols • Emergency planning EXTENDED OPERATIONS: • Shift change procedures • Permit renewal • Equipment maintenance • Personnel rotation • Continuous monitoring 17. RECORDKEEPING REQUIRED RECORDS: • Entry permits • Training records • Equipment calibration • Incident reports • Medical surveillance RETENTION PERIODS: • Entry permits: 1 year • Training records: 3 years • Calibration records: 1 year • Incident reports: 5 years DOCUMENTATION: • Permit completion • Testing results • Equipment checks • Personnel assignments • Emergency contacts 18. PROGRAM EVALUATION ANNUAL REVIEW: • Procedure effectiveness • Training adequacy • Equipment performance • Incident analysis • Regulatory compliance PERFORMANCE METRICS: • Entry frequency • Incident rates • Training completion • Equipment reliability • Compliance scores CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: • Best practice updates • Technology advances • Regulatory changes • Lessons learned • Industry benchmarks 19. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE APPLICABLE STANDARDS: • OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 • OSHA 29 CFR 1926.95 (Construction) • Local fire codes • Industry standards • Company policies COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION: • Regular audits • Self-assessments • External reviews • Documentation checks • Training verification Approved by: _________________ Date: _______ [SAFETY MANAGER] Reviewed by: _________________ Date: _______ [OPERATIONS MANAGER] Document Control: Version: 2.0 Next Review: [DATE] Distribution: Operations, Maintenance, Safety