HAZWOPER Confined Spaces

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Key Questions

The following key questions are answered in this module:

What is a confined space?
A confined space is defined as an area that has sufficient space for a person to enter and perform work, has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy.

What is a permit required confined space?
A permit required confined space is a space that contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, contains material that has the potential to engulf an entrant, has converging walls or tapered floors, or any other safety or health hazard.

What is a hazardous atmosphere?
A hazardous atmosphere is one that contains flammable gases or vapors in excess of 10% of the lower explosive limit (LEL), airborne combustible dust at a concentration that exceeds the LEL, oxygen concentration below 19.5% or above 23.5%, concentration of any hazardous substance above its permissible exposure limit (PEL), or any other condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health.

Can an entry supervisor enter a confined space?
Yes, entry supervisors can be an authorized entrant as long as they are trained and equipped to do so.

Is a rescue team required to be on site?
A confined space rescue team does not have to be on site if they are capable of responding in a timely manner based on the hazards present. If the space has an IDLH atmosphere, a rescuer must be located outside the confined space and capable of immediate action.

Sample Video Transcript

Below is a transcript of the video sample provided for this module:

A confined space is defined as an area that: • Has sufficient space for a person to enter and perform work • Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit • Is not designed for continuous occupancy Confined spaces can be above or below ground and despite the name, they can be quite large. For example, sewer systems are considered confined spaces. Some other common examples of confined spaces include tanks, silos, hoppers, pits, tunnels, pipelines, and ductwork. All hazards typically found in regular work areas can also be found in confined spaces, but there are additional hazards that make confined spaces more dangerous. Confined spaces that present safety or health hazards require a permit for entry, so they are called permit-required confined spaces. This module will describe OSHA's permit-required confined space regulations and typical confined space emergency response procedures.

Additional Resources

Use the additional resources and links below to learn more about this topic:

• OSHA - Confined Space