A2234K I2P2 - FINAL.PDF

MARICOPA COUNTY INTERNAL POLICY
Policy Number: A2234k
Policy Title:
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN: Current Adoption x-x-xxxx
Date:
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM
Current
x-x-xxxx
Implementation Date:
Board Agenda
Approved by:
Number:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Original Adoption
5-20-2015
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.

Policy Title: Policy Number: A2234k
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
xx-xx-xxxx
Date:
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.
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 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
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Policy Title: Policy Number: A2234k
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
xx-xx-xxxx
Date:
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. 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:
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 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
2. 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.
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Policy Title: Policy Number: A2234k
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
xx-xx-xxxx
Date:
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:
a. Person responsible for evaluating the site
b. Person responsible for identifying confined spaces
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
3. Authorized Entrant:
a. Person entering confined space (can be entry supervisor)
4. Authorized Attendant:
a. Person responsible for monitoring the entrant
b. Person responsible for notifying emergency services if required
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Policy Title: Policy Number: A2234k
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
xx-xx-xxxx
Date:
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:
3. Tripod, body harness, rope/lanyard, ventilation equipment
4. 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 Title: Policy Number: A2234k
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
xx-xx-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.
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Policy Title: Policy Number: A2234k
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
xx-xx-xxxx
Date:
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.
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 Title: Policy Number: A2234k
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM Current Adoption
xx-xx-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.
Revision History
Version Revision Date Description of Revision
1 May 2015 Initial version
2 February 2016 Revised §III (D) & (E), §IV (A) & (B) per and 29
CFR 1926.1200 - .1213 (Subpart AA)
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