A2234K REDLINE.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2016-05-04)

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MARICOPA COUNTY INTERNAL POLICY
Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
Current Adoption
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN: x-x-xxxx
Date:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current
x-x-xxxx
Implementation Date:
Approved by: Board Agenda
Number:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Original Adoption
5xx-xx20-xxxx2015
Date:
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this program is to provide adequate information to all employees to be able to identify
confined space in accordance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.146.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Acceptable Entry Conditions: The conditions in a permit space that allow entry and ensure that
employees can safely enter into and work within the space.
B. Attendant: A trained individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the
authorized entrants and who performs all attendant duties assigned in the employer’s permit space
program. If an attendant is not available for the entire duration of the confined space entry procedure
a permit shall not be issued.
C. Confined Space: A space that has all three of the following characteristics:
1. Is large enough and configured so that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work
2. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (e.g., tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins,
hoppers, vaults and pits)
3. Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy
D. Hazardous Atmosphere: An atmosphere that exposes employees to a risk of death, incapacitation,
injury or acute illness due to one or more of the following causes:
1. Flammable gases, vapor or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower explosive limit (LEL)
2. Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that obscures vision at a distance of five feet
(1.52m) or less
3. An atmospheric oxygen level below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent
4. An atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a permissible exposure limit is
published in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart G and Subpart Z and could result in employee exposure in
excess of its permissible limits
E. Hot Work Permit: The employer’s written authorization to perform operation (for example, riveting,
welding, cutting, burning, and heating) capable of providing a source of ignition.
F. Immediately dangerous to life or health: Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat
to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual’s
ability to escape unaided from a permit space.
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Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
x-x-xxxx
Date:
G. Isolation: The process by which a permit space is removed from service and completely protected
against the release of energy and materials into the space by such means as: blanking or blinding;
misaligning or removing sections of lines, pipes or ducts; a double block and bleed system; lockout or
tagout of all sources of energy; or blocking or disconnecting all mechanical linkages.
H. Permit Required Confined Space (permit space): A confined space has one or more of the
following characteristics:
1. Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
2. Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant
3. 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
4. Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard
I. Permit Required Confined Space Program: The employer’s program for controlling, and, where
appropriate, for protecting employees from, permit space hazards and for regulating employee entry
into permit spaces.
III. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A. Maricopa County employees are prohibited from entering confined spaces, but shall be provided
awareness training in the nature of the hazards involved.
B. All Confined Space work must be subcontracted. Before commencement of work, the awarded
subcontractor must present a copy of their company’s Confined Space Entry Program and Job
Specific safety plan. Conversely, the contractor will be provided a copy of the County Injury and Illness
Prevention Plan, which includes the County’s Confined Space Entry Program.
C. Hazard Identification: Per 29 CFR 1910.146(c)() (1) Employer shall identify all permit-required
confined spaces in their areas of responsibility. Also, the employer shall inform exposed employees,
by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of the
danger posed by the permit spaces. Wording for the danger sign should be similar to:
DANGER – PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER
D. Hazard Control: The employer shall implement written procedures and practices by which a confined
space can be entered safely. The written program shall be available for employees and/or authorized
employer’s representatives. The subcontractor shall follow 29 CFR 1910.146(c)() (5) and 29and 29
CFR 1926.1200 - .1213 (Subpart AA) for permit required confined spaces. The employer shall be
responsible for the following:
1. An inventory of these spaces and their hazards
2. Changes in the use of configuration of a non-permit confined space that might increase the
hazards to entrants; therefore, reclassify it as a permit-required confined space
3. Reclassification of a permit-required confined space to a non-permit confined space
4. Inform subcontractor of permit-required confined spaces, apprise subcontractor of the elements
and precautions or procedures, coordinate entry operations and debrief the subcontractor at the
conclusion of the entry regarding any hazards confronted or created during the entry operations
5. Arrange for responders to give the employer advance notice if they will be unable to respond for a
period of time for employers who are relying on local emergency services for emergency services
Verifies that rescue services are available, that the means for summoning them are operable and
that the employer will be notified as soon as the services become unavailable;
E. Permit Required Confined Spaces:
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Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
x-x-xxxx
Date:
1. The permit may only authorize entry up to a specific period of time or during a specific time of
day. An appropriate number of attendants must be present for entry. A supervisor must approve
all confined space entries. When and where applicable, attendants and entrants must be trained
and qualified in the use of respirators.
2. The permit requires the subcontractor notifies the fire department coordinates with the fire
department or contracts a rescue company prior to entry into a permit-required confined space.
3. Entry into a combustible or corrosive atmosphere is never permitted.
F. Communications:
1. Communications must be maintained with all personnel in permit spaces using one or more of
the following methods:
a. Someone outside the confined space who can see the workers
b. Someone outside the confined space who can hear the workers
c. Telephone
d. Two-way radio
e. Monitored motion detector
The Subcontractor provides a copy of their employee training records as part of their safety plan.
These records are maintained by the subcontractor protect manager and the responsible Maricopa
County Department for the duration of the project.
G. Rescue:
Rescue from a permit space shall be performed by trained rescue personnel only for example, Fire
Department personnel. Under no circumstances shall the attendant attempt a rescue by entering the
confined space. The contractor supervisor must also be notified as soon as possible. Notification
shall be through an employee other than the attendant where possible or through electronic
communication to permit the attendant to remain at their post.
IV. CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT PROCEDURES
The following information is needed on the permit form:
A. Location:
1. Specific address
2. Intersection
3. Description of work
4. Reason for entry (e.g., remove debris from manhole, set metering device, etc.)
5. Date of entry
6. Duration of permit (length of time required in confined space)
7. Type of permit space to be entered (man hole, lift station, etc.)
8. Personal protective equipment required
9. Available emergency equipment or rescue service provider
10. List of additional permits as required
11. Test results of atmospheric sampling
(If entry goes beyond the specified time or will need to be completed on another day, a new
permit will need to be completed)
B. Personnel involved:
1. Competent person:
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Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
x-x-xxxx
Date:
a. Person responsible for evaluating the site
b. Person responsible for identifying confined spaces
1.2. Entry Supervisor:
a. On-site person responsible for overseeing the job site
b. Person responsible for completing confined space entry permit
c. Person responsible for testing
2.3. Authorized Entrant:
a. Person entering confined space (can be entry supervisor)
3.4. Authorized Attendant:
a. Person responsible for monitoring the entrant
b. Person responsible for notifying emergency services if required
c. Person responsible for coordinating rescue without entering confined space
d. Person responsible to protect entrant from falling debris
C. Personal Protective Equipment:
All personnel entering confined spaces are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
D. Emergency Equipment:
1. All items identified on the entry permit will be on hand at the job site.
2. The following items will be used at all times when working in a confined space:
a. Tripod, body harness, rope/lanyard, ventilation equipment
b. Atmospheric tester; entrant will carry/wear an atmospheric tester into confined space.
E. Pre-Entry Control Measures:
These measures will be determined by the confined space being entered and the nature of the work
to be done.
F. Pre-Entry Test:
1. When required, all other permits such as lockout/tag-out, hot work and line breaking, will be
obtained and completed prior to entering the confined space. Any equipment that needs to be
locked out and tagged out before entry will be done so by the entrant.
2. Before an employee enters the confined space, the atmosphere shall be tested with a calibrated
direct reading instrument for oxygen, flammable gases and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Other
contaminants may need to be tested for depending on the entry.
3. Test results shall be recorded on the permit.
4. If all results are clear (no alarm), entry and work may proceed.
G. Forced Ventilation:
If the permit requires that forced fresh air ventilation be provided while work is in progress, then the
atmosphere within the space shall be continuously monitored by the entrant.
H. Second Test:
The second test is required if the instrument alarms during the first test:
1. Ventilate for 15 minutes with forced fresh air
2. Retest as above
3. Record results
4. If the second test results are clear (no alarm), entry and work may proceed
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Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
x-x-xxxx
Date:
5. Continue forced fresh air ventilation while work is in progress
6. If alarm sounds again, call supervisor for further instructions. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL
THE ENTRANT ENTER THIS CONFINED SPACE.
V. TRAINING
The Risk Management Safety Division shall provide awareness training in confined space entry to
Maricopa County Employees.
A. Duties Of Authorized Entrants:
1. Have knowledge of the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the
mode, signs or symptoms and consequences of exposure.
2. Properly use all testing and rescue equipment.
3. Keep in communication with the attendant.
4. Understand the emergency evacuation procedures before entering the permit space.
5. Exit the permit space when ordered by attendant; when the entrant recognizes any warning
sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation/condition; or when the evacuation alarm
is activated.
B. Duties Of Attendants:
1. Have knowledge of the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the
mode, signs or symptoms and consequences of exposure.
2. Be aware of the possible behavioral effects of a hazardous exposure to the entrants.
3. Continuously maintains an accurate count of authorized entrants and identify them by name or
other means.
4. Remain outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant.
5. Call for the evacuation of the entrants if an unsafe or prohibited condition develops.
6. Monitor activities inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe to entrants to remain or
need to evacuate.
7. Know the procedures for rescue or how to summon emergency rescue services.
8. Keep unauthorized persons away from the space.
9. Perform non-entry rescues as per the employer (subcontractor) procedure.
10. Only perform duties within the attendant’s primary duty to protect the entrants.
C. Duties Of Supervisors:
1. Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or
symptoms, and consequences of exposure.
2. Review permits to ensure that all the information has been entered and the permit is properly
filled out. This includes that atmospheric tests have been conducted and all procedures and
equipment specified on the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry.
3. Terminate the entry and cancel the permit either after work is completed or an unsafe
condition is detected.
4. Verify that rescue services are available and notification has been done.
5. Remove unauthorized person(s) who enter or attempt to enter.
6. Whenever entry responsibility is transferred ensure that entry operations remain consistent
with terms of permit and acceptable conditions are maintained.
D. Notification To Subcontractors:
1. Apprise the subcontractor of hazards associated with the confined space.
2. Apprise the subcontractor of receipt of subcontractor’s safety plan prior to beginning operations.
3. Apprise the subcontractor of attendance by Employer to all safety and debrief meetings before,
during and after operations.
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Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
x-x-xxxx
Date:
E. Audits:
Audits shall be conducted by the Risk Management Safety Division to ensure the ongoing
effectiveness of the program. Audits shall result in a written report with findings to management with
all requirements and recommendation tracked to completion.
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Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
x-x-xxxx
Date:
VI. DECISION DIAGRAM
Use the following diagram to determine whether a space is a confined space and if it should be
permit-required.
START
You can get
NO
in and do Has or has potential
to contain a
work
hazardous
atmosphere
OR
AND
Contains a
Has limited or
material that
NO restricted
could engulf
means for
entrant
entry or exit
Location IS a
THEN
OR Permit
Required
AND Confined
Has converging
walls or sloping
floor
Not designated
NO for continuous
occupancy
OR
Location is NOT
Has any other
a Permit
recognized
Required THEN serious safety
Confined Space of health
Location is a
Confined Space
Page 7 of 8

Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
x-x-xxxx
Date:
Revision History
Version Revision Date Description of Revision
1 May 2015 Initial version
Revised §III (D) & (E), §IV (A) & (B) per and 29 CFR
2 February 2016
1926.1200 - .1213 (Subpart AA)
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