Confined Space Entry Written Program Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District General District Policy The purpose of this program is to inform interested persons, including employees that Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District (Northeast Metro 916) is complying with the OSHA Confined Space Standard, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.146. We have determined that this workplace needs written procedures for confined spaces. This program applies to all work operations at Northeast Metro 916 where employees must enter a confined space as part of their job duties. The Health and Safety Coordinator has overall responsibility for coordinating safety and health programs in this district and is the person having overall responsibility for the Confined Space Entry Program. This program will be reviewed and updated as necessary. Copies of the written program may be obtained from in the Health and Safety Office. Under this program, we identify non-permit and permit- required spaces, and provide training for our employees according to their responsibilities in these spaces. These employees receive instructions for safe entry into our specific type of confined spaces, including testing and monitoring, appropriate personal protective equipment, rescue procedures, and attendant responsibilities. This program is designed to ensure that safe work practices are utilized during all activities regarding the confined spaces to prevent personal injuries and illnesses that could occur. If, after reading this program, you find that improvements can be made, please contact the Health and Safety Office. We encourage all suggestions because we are committed to creating a safe workplace for all our employees and a safe and effective confined space entry program is an important component of our overall safety plan. We strive for clear understanding, safe work practices, and involvement in the program from every level of the district. Identifying Confined Spaces Confined spaces are defined as spaces that: are large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and have limited or restricted means for entry or exit; and are not designed for continuous occupancy. Note that a confined space must meet all three of the requirements to be considered a confined space under the standard. 1
The confined spaces in the Northeast Metro 916 workplace include: Capitol View Career and Technical Center Valley Crossing 2 Elevator shaft pits Diesel water trap pit Air handlers 5 Air handlers Auto Mechanics Sump Ductwork S1-S7 Abandoned Hot water tank Auto Hoist pits Cooling tower In Use Hot water tank 2 Boiler fireboxes Sump in Boiler Room Sump with sewage in Pool area 3 Boiler fireboxes 2 Storm sewers Pipe chase tunnel from Boiler Room Pipe chase tunnels from E, W & S stairwells Pipe chase tunnel from Kitchen Condensate return tank Science lab drain pit Incinerator Hazard Evaluation for Permit Spaces To determine if there are permit-required confined spaces a review of the spaces was conducted. Information was provided by district Maintenance employees regarding the location of and hazards of the confined spaces. This evaluation has provided the Northeast Metro 916 Health and Safety Coordinator, and administration with the information necessary for the assessing the hazards of the confined spaces throughout the district. This written hazard evaluation is kept in the Health and Safety files. After a review of the hazards for each space, the confined spaces in our district have been divided into four groups. Although grouping confined spaces is not required under the federal standard for confined space, it is being used to simplify procedures for district employees. The confined spaces in this district are grouped as listed below: Group 1 Spaces No permit required. No known toxic gases. No engulfment potential. Naturally ventilated upon opening dampers, doors, etc. Pre-Entry procedures: 1) A sign, which indicates that this space is a confined space, is posted at all the entrances to the space. 2) Only persons who have been trained on confined spaces can enter. 3) These spaces will be opened to allow for natural ventilation before and during the entry. 4) Lockout/tagout shall be applied before entry occurs if needed. 5) Air monitoring is not required. 6) No written permit is required. 7) Notify another employee regarding entry, however no attendant is required. 2
Entry procedures: 1) Ensure space is ventilated during the entry. Group 1 spaces include: Capitol View Center Boiler fireboxes Capitol View Center Air handlers Capitol View Center Incinerator Valley Crossing Cooling tower Valley Crossing Ductwork S1-S7 Valley Crossing Air handlers Valley Crossing Boiler fireboxes Group 2 Spaces No permit required. No known toxic gas, engulfment potential and the primary concern is adequate ventilation. These spaces have defined walls and can be effectively ventilated with a mechanically powered ventilator. Pre-Entry procedures: 1) A sign, which indicates that this space is a confined space, is posted at all the entrances to the space. 2) Only persons who have been trained on confined spaces can enter. 3) Before beginning work the space is isolated using barricades, cones, ribbon, etc. to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the area around the space or the space. 4) These spaces will be ventilated with a blower initially for the time period necessary to replace the volume of the confined space a minimum of five times prior to entry. 5) Lockout/tagout shall be applied before entry occurs if needed. 6) Air monitoring is not required. 7) No permit is required. 8) Notify another employee regarding the entry, however no attendant is required. Entry Procedures: 1) Continue mechanical ventilation at a minimum rate of 200 cfm per worker inside the space. Group 2 Spaces include: Capitol View Center Elevator shaft pits Capital View Center Hot in use water tank Capitol View Center Sump in Boiler room Capitol View Center Condensate return tank 3
Group 3 Spaces No permit required. These confined spaces are the pipe chase tunnels. These spaces are all below grade, somewhat naturally ventilated when opened, have a concrete floor and have pipes running throughout. On occasion a tunnel has steam leaking into the tunnels necessitating repairs. These confined spaces have the potential for oxygen deficiency. They cannot be manually ventilated due to their size and shape. 1) A sign, which indicates that this space is a confined space, is posted at all the entrances to the space. 2) Only persons who have been trained on confined spaces can enter. 3) Before beginning work the space is isolated using barricades, cones, ribbon, etc. to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the area around the space or the space 4) Monitor for oxygen. 5) No permit is required. 6) An attendant is recommended but not required. Entry Procedures: 1) Continuously monitor for oxygen. Group 3 Spaces include: Capitol View Center Pipe chase tunnel. Group 4 Spaces - are not to be entered by District employees under any conditions. Outside contractors will be called if these spaces must be entered. A permit is required to be completed by the outside contractor that enters these spaces. These spaces could have dangerous air contamination, oxygen deficiency or oxygen enrichment. These spaces are all permanently closed in such a manner that a district employee cannot enter. Group 4 spaces include: Capital View Center Abandoned water tank Capitol View Center Storm sewers Capitol View Center sump with sewage in Pool Area Capitol View Center Science lab drain pit Career and Technical Center Diesel mechanics water trap pit Career and Technical sump Career and Technical hoist pits 4
Work Tasks Performed in a Confined Space The work activities authorized employees are expected to perform in district-confined spaces include: 1) Cleaning 2) Maintenance 3) Surveillance District employees may not weld or use hazardous materials in a confined space. Preventing Unauthorized Entry To provide a safe work environment and to prevent exposed employees from accidentally entering a permit space, we have implemented the following procedures to inform all employees of the existence, location, and danger posed by confined spaces. To inform employees of the existence of a permit space, we post every entrance to a confined space. This signage indicates that unauthorized employees are not to enter. Group 4 spaces are permanently closed in such a way that employees cannot enter. Safe Permit Space Entry Procedures The Maintenance Engineer is the Entry Supervisor responsible for authorizing entry into all confined spaces in their building. Pre-Entry and Entry procedures as listed above will be followed for any entry into a Group 1, 2 or 3 confined spaces. Permits will be provided by and completed by outside contractors before entry into Group 4 spaces. The outside vendor will establish pre-entry and Entry procedures into Group 4 spaces. A file of the completed permits will be kept in the Maintenance Engineer s office. Pre-Entry Non-Permit Confined Space Evaluation To ensure the safety and health of our employees a Confined Space Pre Entry Checklist is available for use with Group 1, 2 and 3 spaces before entry. Use of this checklist is optional. Equipment To ensure the safety and health of our employees, Northeast Metro 916 provides an oxygen monitor for designated spaces to employees who work in or near Group 3 spaces. A torpedo mechanical fan is provided for entry into Group 2 spaces. We maintain all equipment in excellent working condition, train the entrants in the correct usage of this equipment, and ensure that all equipment, including that used for personal protection, is used properly. Annual calibration and monthly field checks will be performed as per the manufacturers written specifications, which are kept with the instrument. Documentation of the calibration and checks will be kept with the instrument. 5
Duties: Authorized Entrants Only persons who have completed confined space entry training are authorized to enter our spaces. The elements covered in the training program for authorized entrants include: 1) Recognition of confined spaces 2) Understanding that only trained employees may enter 3) Proper procedures for entry into Group 1, 2 and 3 spaces 4) Use of equipment 5) Knowledge of Pre-Entry Checklist 6) Recognition of Permit Required Group 4 spaces Employees receiving the training on confined spaces: 1) Maintenance Engineers 2) All custodial employees 3) Diesel and Auto Mechanics instructors and assistants in the Career and Technical Center. Duties: Attendants No attendants are required for Group 1, 2 and 3 spaces. Outside contractors will provide their own attendants for Group 4 spaces. Attendant duties and responsibilities include: 1) Maintain voice communications with employee in the confined space 2) Access to an emergency response team if needed. Duties: Entry Supervisors Maintenance Engineers who have completed the training are designated as permit space entry supervisors and are assigned specific duties and responsibilities, which they must perform in confined space job duties. Their duties and responsibilities include: 1) Posting the entrances of all confined space. 2) Ensuring that Northeast Metro 916 employees follow Pre-entry and Entry procedures. 3) Providing a copy of the Confined Space Entry Program to vendors prior to their entering any confined space. 6
4) Retaining a copy of the Permit for Group 4 confined spaces entry completed by a vendor. Training Program Every employee in the Maintenance Department work who faces the risk of confined space entry is provided with training so that each designated employee acquires the understanding, knowledge and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned to him or her. The Health and Safety Department provides our confined space training. All training related materials and documents are kept in the Health and Safety Office. When we conduct the training, we use a variety of materials and methods. New employees are always trained before their initial assignment of duties. When changes occur in confined space areas of our district, we notify the Maintenance Engineers and Custodians in the building. If we have reason to believe that an employee has deviated from a previously trained upon procedure or that their knowledge seems inadequate, discipline procedures as outlined in the contract are used. Rescue and Emergency Services Northeast Metro 916 utilizes local public emergency personnel to perform rescue and emergency services in the event of a Group 1, 2 or 3 non-permit space incidents. Rescue for permit spaces is the responsibility of the vendor. We also send a copy of this plan to local fire departments. Multiple Employer Entry Procedures When vendors/outside employers/contractors enter our facility to perform work in confined spaces, we coordinate entry and work operations following these procedures: 1) The Maintenance Engineer provides contractors with a copy of the Confined Space Entry Written Program. 2) The Maintenance Engineer informs the contractor that they are to follow appropriate safety procedures. 3) The Maintenance Engineer informs outside personnel of any expected hazards. 4) The Maintenance Engineer retains a copy of any Pre-Entry Checklists or Permits completed by the contractor. 5) The Maintenance Engineer will debrief the people entering to ascertain if there was any change in conditions confronted in the space and report these changes to the Health and Safety Office. Post-operations Procedures Upon completion of work in a confined space, we follow these procedures to close off the space and cancel the permit: 7
1) Barricades are removed. 2) Any hatches or doors are closed. 3) The Permit or Pre Entry is checklist is completed and filed. Review-Procedures To ensure that all employees participating in entry operations are protected from confined space hazards, Northeast Metro 916 reviews the Confined Space Entry Program on a regular basis. N. E. Metro 916 performs a single annual review covering all entries performed during a 12- month period. If no entry is performed during a 12-month period, no review will be performed. Enforcement Constant awareness of and respect for confined space entry hazards, and compliance with all safety rules are considered conditions of employment. Supervisors reserve the right to issue disciplinary warnings to employees and to act as detailed in the contract. 8
Appendix Confined Space Entry Permit Date and Time Issued: Date and Time Expires: Job site/space I.D.: Job Supervisor: Equipment to be worked on: Work to be performed: Stand-by personnel: 1. Atmospheric Checks: Time Oxygen % Explosive % L.F.L. Toxic PPM 2. Tester's signature: 3. Source isolation (No Entry): N/A Yes No Pumps or lines blinded, ( ) ( ) ( ) disconnected, or blocked ( ) ( ) ( ) 4. Ventilation Modification: N/A Yes No Mechanical ( ) ( ) ( ) Natural Ventilation only ( ) ( ) ( ) 5. Atmospheric check after isolation and Ventilation: Oxygen % > 19.5 % Explosive % L.F.L < 10 % Toxic PPM < 10 PPM H(2)S Time Testers signature: 6. Communication procedures: 7. Rescue procedures: 8. Entry, standby, and back up persons: Yes No Successfully completed required training? Is it current? ( ) ( ) 9. Equipment: N/A Yes No Direct reading gas monitor - tested ( ) ( ) ( ) Safety harnesses and lifelines for entry and standby persons ( ) ( ) ( ) Hoisting equipment ( ) ( ) ( ) Powered communications ( ) ( ) ( ) 9
SCBA's for entry and standby persons ( ) ( ) ( ) Protective Clothing ( ) ( ) ( ) All electric equipment listed Class I, Division I, Group D and Non-sparking tools ( ) ( ) ( ) 10. Periodic atmospheric tests: Oxygen % Time Oxygen % Time Oxygen % Time Oxygen % Time Explosive % Time Explosive % Time Explosive % Time Explosive % Time Toxic % Time Toxic % Time Toxic % Time Toxic % Time We have reviewed the work authorized by this permit and the information contained here-in. Written instructions and safety procedures have been received and are understood. Entry cannot be approved if any squares are marked in the "No" column. This permit is not valid unless all appropriate items are completed. Permit Prepared By: (Supervisor) Approved By: (Unit Supervisor) Reviewed By (Cs Operations Personnel) : (printed name) (signature) This permit to be kept at job site. Return job site copy to Safety Office following job completion. Copies: White Original (Safety Office) Yellow (Unit Supervisor) Hard(Job site) ENTRY PERMIT PERMIT VALID FOR 8 HOURS ONLY. ALL COPIES OF PERMIT WILL REMAIN AT JOB SITE UNTIL JOB IS COMPLETED DATE: - - SITE LOCATION and DESCRIPTION PURPOSE OF ENTRY SUPERVISOR(S) in charge of crews Type of Crew Phone # COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES RESCUE PROCEDURES (PHONE NUMBERS AT BOTTOM) * BOLD DENOTES MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO BE COMPLETED AND REVIEWED PRIOR TO ENTRY* REQUIREMENTS COMPLETED DATE TIME Lock Out/De-energize/Try-out 10
Line(s) Broken-Capped-Blanked Purge-Flush and Vent Ventilation Secure Area (Post and Flag) Breathing Apparatus Resuscitator - Inhalator Standby Safety Personnel Full Body Harness w/"d" ring Emergency Escape Retrieval Equip Lifelines Fire Extinguishers Lighting (Explosive Proof) Protective Clothing Respirator(s) (Air Purifying) Burning and Welding Permit Note: Items that do not apply enter N/A in the blank. **RECORD CONTINUOUS MONITORING RESULTS EVERY 2 HOURS CONTINUOUS MONITORING** Permissible TEST(S) TO BE TAKEN Entry Level PERCENT OF OXYGEN 19.5% to 23.5% LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT Under 10% CARBON MONOXIDE +35 PPM Aromatic Hydrocarbon + 1 PPM * 5PPM Hydrogen Cyanide (Skin) * 4PPM Hydrogen Sulfide +10 PPM *15PPM Sulfur Dioxide + 2 PPM * 5PPM Ammonia *35PPM * Short-term exposure limit: Employee can work in the area up to 15 minutes. + 8 hr. Time Weighted Avg.: Employee can work in area 8 hrs (longer with appropriate respiratory protection). REMARKS: GAS TESTER NAME INSTRUMENT(S) MODEL SERIAL &/OR & CHECK # USED &/OR TYPE UNIT # SAFETY STANDBY PERSON IS REQUIRED FOR ALL CONFINED SPACE WORK SAFETY STANDBY CHECK # CONFINED CONFINED PERSON(S) SPACE CHECK # SPACE CHECK # ENTRANT(S) ENTRANT(S) SUPERVISOR AUTHORIZING - ALL CONDITIONS SATISFIED DEPARTMENT/PHONE AMBULANCE 2800 FIRE 2900 Safety 4901 Gas Coordinator 4529/5387 11
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