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INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM - CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

Structure and Organization

The Confined Space information in this program is presented in a definite order, so that employees will see the relationships between the various groups of information and can retain them more easily. The sections included in the Confined Space program are:

• OSHA's "Permit-Required Confined SpaceC Regulation.

• Definition of Confined Spaces.

• Hazards Encountered in Confined Spaces.

• Employee Duties and Responsibilities.

• Testing for Confined Space Hazards.

• The Entry Permit.

• Non-Permit Spaces.

• Working With Contractors.

Each section of the Confined Space program covers important information in one topic area, providing employees with general knowledge about working in and around a Confined Space area.

Background

For years OSHA has been concerned about the number of fatalities and injuries experienced by workers going into a "Confined Space" area. Because of their very nature, a Confined Space may pose unique problems, such as the potential for "engulfment" by materials in and around the space, toxic or restricted air supply and "entrapment" hazards.

The likelihood of an accident occurring in a Confined Space is also frequently increased just by working in cramped quarters, often closer to potential hazards than would normally be the case.

As a result of their concerns, on January 1 4, 1 993 OSHA published a new set of regulations on "Permit-Required Confined Spaces". OSHA's definition of a Confined Space area is very broad. lt includes tanks, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, and tunnels... even large autoclaves in hospitals. As a result, the regulation applies to almost 300,000 facilities with over 12,000,000 employees.

One of the major compliance requirements in the regulation is for employee training. As part of the training requirement all employees who work in or around a Confined Space must go through detailed "initial training~ as well as periodic "retraining" (on at least an annual basis).

Objectives

The Confined Space program has been specifically designed to "reawaken" employees' awareness of how to work safely both in and around a Confined Space. It assumes that employees will remember basic information given to them in their initial Confined Space Entry training, and acts as a "refresher/reminder" about selected important information.

Upon completion of the program, employees should have an increased awareness about:

• What types of spaces are considered Confined Spaces.

• The types of hazards encountered in Confined Spaces.

• The Written Permit-Required Confined Space Program.

• Using an Entry Permit.

• Their duties and responsibilities when working in and around Confined Spaces.

Reviewing the Program

With the Confined Space Entry program, as with any educational program, the "presenter" should go through it at least once to become familiar with the content and make sure the program is consistent with facility policy and directives. An "outline" of the points in the Confined Space Entry program is included in this Presenter's Guide to help with this task and for general reference.

As part of this review process, you should determine how you, as the presenter, will conduct your session. The use of materials such as handouts, charts, etc., that may be available to you needs to be well thought out and integrated into the overall Confined Space Entry program presentation.

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