Toolbox Talk – Confined Space Safety – City Construction Co., Inc.

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City Construction Co., Inc.

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Confined Space Safety Awareness

A confined space is an area that:

Examples include tanks, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits.

A permit-required confined space has one or more of the following characteristics:

Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.
Contains a material that can engulf an entrant.
Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated.
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Oxygen Deficiency: Levels below 19.5% can cause unconsciousness or death.
Toxic Atmospheres: Presence of harmful substances such as gases, vapors, or fumes.
Flammable Atmospheres: Risk of fire or explosion.
Engulfment: Risk of being trapped or buried by materials such as sand or grain.
Mechanical Hazards: Moving parts of machinery.
Physical Hazards: Slips, trips, and falls due to limited space and poor visibility.

Pre-Entry Requirements:
- Permit Required: Ensure all confined space entries are authorized with a permit, specifying the space to be entered, the purpose, the date and duration of the entry, and the authorized entrants, attendants, and entry supervisors.
- Atmospheric Testing: Conduct testing for oxygen levels (19.5%-23.5%), flammable gases (less than 10% of LEL), and toxic substances (below OSHA PELs).
- Ventilation: Provide continuous forced-air ventilation to remove hazardous atmospheres.
- Isolation: Lockout/tagout all mechanical and electrical hazards.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Wear appropriate PPE, including respirators, gloves, and protective clothing, as identified in the hazard assessment.
- Use a harness and lifeline for rescue purposes when required.
Entry and Exit Protocols:
- Have a trained attendant outside the confined space at all times who can summon rescue and emergency services.
- Establish and maintain communication between entrants and attendants.
- Ensure quick and easy access to emergency exits.
Emergency Procedures:
- Develop and practice a rescue plan that includes non-entry rescue methods.
- Ensure all workers are trained in emergency response and first aid.
- Have rescue equipment readily available, such as retrieval systems or lifting devices.

Training: Ensure all employees are trained in confined space entry procedures, hazard recognition, and emergency response. Training must be provided before the employee is first assigned duties, when there is a change in assigned duties, when there is a change in permit space operations, or when there are new hazards.
Responsibilities: Assign specific roles and responsibilities for confined space entry and rescue operations. Entry supervisors must ensure all procedures are followed and that entry permits are completed and authorized.