CONFINED SPACE PROGRAM CPM CONSTRUCTORS 30 BONNEY STREET P.O. BOX B FREEPORT, MAINE 04032 207-865-0000 FAX 207-865-4836
PURPOSE: This program has been created to protect employees of CPM Constructors at the project name from hazards that result from working in confined spaces, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 CFR 1910.146. This program will provide guidelines for ensuring safe operations while accessing the identified confined space on this project. DEFINITION: Confined Space is defined as a tank, vessel, silo, vault, pit, open topped space more than 4 (four) feet deep, pipeline, duct, sewer or tunnel having limited means of egress and not designed for continuous employee occupancy, and has one or more of the following characteristics: < Less than 19.5% oxygen; < Flammable, combustible or explosive atmosphere present or able to be generated; < Toxic atmosphere present or able to be generated; < Areas not protected against substances such as water, gas, sand, gravel, radiation or chemicals that could possibly trap, suffocate or harm a person; < < Poor natural ventilation; or < Restricted entry for rescue purposes. HAZARDS: Hazards present in confined spaces include the following: oxygen deficiency; combustible, flammable or explosive atmosphere; toxic vapor or gas; physical hazards including grinding, steam lines, mulching, falling or moving parts; corrosive chemicals; electrical hazards; rodents, snakes or other creatures; and poor lighting. QUALIFIED PERSONS: All employees who are involved in the planning or supervising of work in confined spaces must be qualified for their part in the effort. This means each person, designated by CPM in writing, is capable though education or specialized training of anticipating, recognizing and evaluating employee exposure to hazards in confined spaces. These persons shall also be capable of specifying necessary control and or protective actions to ensure the safety of CPM employees. 2
DUTIES: The duties for various parties involved in confined space work can be defined as those of the supervisor, the confined space attendant and the employee entering the confined space. Here are their duties: Entry Supervisor < Know the probable hazard of a confined space; < Verify all tests have been conducted and all procedures and equipment in place before endorsing a permit; < Terminate entry or cancel permits; < Verify availability of rescue services and procedures for summoning these services; < Remove unauthorized individuals who enter confined spaces. Attendant < Know probable hazards employees face, including symptoms and consequences of exposure; < Remain outside confined space until relieved by another attendant; < Maintain communication with employees in the confined space; < Summon rescue services, if necessary; < Prohibit unauthorized entry. Entrant < Know the hazards of the space, including symptoms and consequences or exposure; < Know how to use all equipment required in the confined space; < Communicate with Attendant when necessary; < Notify attendants if a hazardous condition exists or will exist; < Exit the confined space when ordered to do so. 3
PROCEDURES Procedures prior to working in a confined space: 1) Prior to work in confined spaces, a qualified person must plan the date and time of entry, review the work to be accomplished, select personnel to be involved in the work and to fulfill the duties described in this plan. 2) The atmosphere in the confined space must be tested to determine possible hazards. Oxygen must be between 19.5% and 22%; Hydrogen Sulfide less than 10% PPM; Explosive less than 10% PPM; carbon monoxide less than 35% PPM. 3) Ventilation of the confined space must be established through drawing air out of the space and blowing air into the space, if needed. 4) Train all employees involved in the confined space work on emergency and exit procedures, use of respirators, if needed, first aid, lockout/tagout, rescue procedures and use of safety equipment. 5) The confined space must be tagged or locked out in a fashion that will prevent entry by unauthorized persons until work is conducted in the space. The space shall be tagged with notice of how entry may be gained (via permit prepared and endorsed by qualified employees of CPM Constructors). 6) Develop procedures for providing clear communication between the attendant and the employee working in the confined space. 7) If possible, contact local rescue services and inform them that confined space work is taking place. 8) Prepare tools and equipment required to work in the confined space, including any personal protective equipment required by the specific space. 9) Qualified person must prepare and endorse the entry permit. The permit is an authorization and approval in writing that specifies the location and type of work to be conducted in the confined space, certifies that all hazards have been evaluated by qualified individuals and the necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of each employee. 4
Procedures for conducting work in confined space: 1) Maintain permit on site for reference. 2) Attendant must be in place outside the confined space for work to begin. 3) Ensure the confined space is safe prior to entry. 4) Monitor atmosphere continuously during work in confined spaces. 5) Have immediate access to means of communications with rescue services should the need arise 6) Entrants to confined space must wear a safety harness and lifeline (lifeline may be waived if it creates a greater hazard, but must be available) 7) Self contained breathing apparatus must be available near the entrance to the confined space, if needed 8) The Attendant and Entrant(s) must follow all duties described in this plan for their positions while working in the confined space. 9) Appropriate persons can cancel the permit if conditions change while work is in progress. 10) Upon completion of the work outlined in the permit, the permit shall be canceled and kept on file for one year. 5
SUBCONTRACTORS: If subcontractor employees will be working alone in confined spaces on a CPM job site, a qualified person from CPM must review the subcontractor=s permit, and ensure that the subcontractor has a Confined Space Program that addresses OSHA requirements. If subcontractor employees are working alongside CPM employees in a confined space, they fall under the Entrant@ description in this plan and must be trained and briefed to understand all requirements of this program. TRAINING: All training under this program will be conducted by a qualified person, for this project that person will be. Refresher training will be required when conditions or duties change. Training shall include recognition of what constitutes a confined space and the hazards that may be encountered in confined spaces. Certification of training is required in the form of the employee=s name and signature, the signature of the trainer, and the date of training. This certification will be available in project documentation or the employee=s personnel file. PROGRAM REVIEW: CPM senior management and the Health & Safety Department will periodically review this program to suggest improvements, changes or additions. 6
CPM CONSTRUCTORS CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT Project Project Job # Location of Confined Space Purpose for Entering Confined Space: Date & Time Work To Be Performed: Entry Supervisor Confined Space Attendants Entrants Non-Company Entrants Precautions Yes No Protective Equipment Yes No Employee Qualified? Safety Attendant? Space/vessel clean? Atmosphere Safe for Entry? Monitoring Required? Lines to vessel disconnected? Lock out devices? Belt/Harness/Lifeline Breathing apparatus? Warning signs? Protective gear? Fire equipment? Forced ventilation? Rescue gear on hand? Safety Lights? Communications devices? Issued By: Title: Date:
CERTIFICATION OF TRAINING IN CONFINED SPACE WORK Date: This letter certifies that has been trained in the requirements of Employee Name work in confined space as follows: recognition of what constitutes confined space, hazards involved with confined space work and symptoms of these hazards. Trainer Name Trainer Signature F:\1 WP ~ MSWord Files\Safety\Safety Procedures\Confined Space Plan.doc