E-Books: Is it Safe to Enter Confined Space?HSSE WORLD

THIS Confined Space Guide has been developed to explain the hazards of confined space work and to assist employers in establishing and maintaining an effective confined space program. By implementing such a program, both employers and employees will be able to:

Table of Contents

Confined Sapce — Is it Safe to Enter a Confined Space? Book’s cover

Recognize, evaluate, and control confined space hazards.
Save lives and protect employees from job-related injuries and illnesses.
Promote safe and effective work practices.
Reduce preventable workers’ compensation losses.
Comply with the law.

Thhis Guide contains information, definitions, and requirements for entry into permit-required confined spaces (Section 5157). To call the attention of employers whose operations and industries are regulated under Section 5158, the confined space definition and requirements are distinctively highlighted. To clarify and facilitate the understanding of confined space issues, the guide presents the information in the format of questions and answers and includes a list of the most frequently asked questions.

For easy reference, the guide is separated into six distinct main
sections:

Rescue, addresses questions about various types of rescue operations, rescue training, and equipment, along with the importance of well-planned rescue activities.
Definitions and Basics, which contains essential definitions of terms such as confined space, immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), and the permissible exposure limit (PEL). This section also addresses entry issues and issues relating to permitting evaluation (including permit-required confined space reclassification, alternate procedures, and hot work permits).
Confined Space Hazards, which addresses specific atmospheric and physical problems that can be encountered when working in confined spaces as well as questions relating to Material Safety Data Sheets and atmospheric testing.

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Hazard Controls, which addresses means of preventing accidents and controlling other problems by eliminating or controlling confined space hazards.
Training and Education, which addresses the importance of gaining a new understanding of critical confined space issues and acquiring practical skills for successful confined space work. This section applies to the supervisor, the entrant, and the attendant. Frequently Asked Questions, which contains a variety of other questions about miscellaneous confined space issues.

(Also Read: Permit-Required Confined Spaces )
At the back of this guide, there are six attachments intended to further assist employers who are starting to learn about confined spaces or for those who wish to improve an existing program.
Attachments A through D provides samples of hot work and permit-required confined space entry forms, Material Safety Data Sheets, atmospheric monitoring equipment information, and general testing protocols. Attachment E, “Setting Up a Permit-Required Confined Space Program,” contains easy, step-by-step instructions for required and suggested actions in the implementation of a confined space program that meets regulatory requirements. Attachment F, “Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) Decision Flow Chart,” helps employers to determine the required entry procedure as defined by the confined space standard.
This guide does not list every conceivable confined space hazard. It is not intended as a legal interpretation of federal or state standards and should not be used as a substitute for training.

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The content of the -Is it Safe to Enter Confined Space?

Acknowledgments
Regulatory Requirements
Introduction
Fatal Facts
Rescue
Emergency
Self-Rescue, Non-Entry, and Entry Rescue
Rescue Training and Plan
On-Site Rescue Team vs. Off-Site Rescue Team
Rescue Equipment
Definitions and Basics
General Terminology
Confined Space; Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH); Permissible
Exposure Limits (PEL); Entry
Permit Evaluation
Permit-Required vs. Non-Permit Confined Space; Space Reclassification; Alternate Procedures; Permit-Required Confined Space Program (Hot Work and Host Employer-Contractor)
Confined Space Hazards
Atmospheric Hazards
Oxygen Deficiency/Enrichment; Combustible/Flammable/Explosive Gases and Vapors; Combustible Dust; Toxics; Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS); Monitoring-Air Sampling and Equipment
Physical Hazards
Mechanical; Entrapment; Engulfment; Other Types of Hazards
Hazard Controls
Controls for Atmospheric Hazards
Ventilation; Respiratory Protection; Other Control Measures
Controls for Physical Hazards
Isolation (Mechanical, Electrical, Pressurized Lines, Ducts, or Pipes); Other
Control Measures
Personal Protective Equipment and Tools
Communication System
Training and Education
Entry Team
Supervisor; Entrant; Attendant
Frequently Asked Questions
Attachments
A – Hot Work Permit Sample
B – Atmospheric Monitoring Equipment and General Testing Protocol
C – Confined Space Entry Permit Sample
D – Material Safety Data Sheet Sample
E – Setting Up a Permit-Required Confined Space Program
F – Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) Decision Flow Chart
References
Evaluation
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service Offices Back cover