COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY

Ames Health and Safety Procedural Requirements

Chapter 26: Confined Space Entry

26.1 Responsibility

26.1.1 The chain of responsibility for ensuring there is a safe work environment at Ames Research Center that follows safety standards, regulations, codes and guidelines starts with the Center Director and flows downward through the management and supervisors. In addition to this, every employee who works at ARC shall understand that a condition of their employment is to follow all safety precautions and specifications that apply to their tasks being performed.

26.1.2 Supervisor and Manager shall:

1. Ensure that risk assessments of potential confined spaces within their area(s) of responsibility have been made and are on file with the Safety, Health & Medical Services Division (Code QH). When confined spaces exist in your areas, ensure that entry into these spaces is controlled in accordance with this chapter and any supporting documents.
2. Ensure that employees who may enter permit-required confined spaces are aware of their existence, location and dangers posed by the permit spaces.
3. Ensure that confined spaces are re-evaluated when there are changes in the use or configuration that might increase the hazards to entrants.
4. Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs, symptoms, and consequences of the exposure as well as all potential hazards in the space.
5. Ensure the proper equipment required for safe entry into confined spaces is available.
6. If confined spaces exist in area of supervision, attend initial and annual refresher training for confined spaces operations.
7. Ensure employees entering confined spaces are trained in all aspects of the Ames Research Center Confined Space Program.
8. Ensure the terminated Permit and associated monitoring forms are returned to the Confined Space Program Representative at M/S 223-6 at completion of entry. This includes any contractor confined space entry forms as well. Ensure all entrants have been medically authorized per NPR 1800.1C, NASA Occupational Health Program Procedures.
9. Ensure all entrants have been medically authorized per NPR 1800.1C, NASA Occupational Health Program Procedures.

26.1.3 Supervisor and Manager for Contractors

26.1.3.1 When contractors are hired to perform work that involves permit-required confined-space entry, the COTR, NASA Project Manager, or the NASA area supervisor shall:

1. Inform the contractor that the workplace contains permit spaces and that permit required confined space entry is allowed only through compliance with NASA's written Confined Space Entry Program.
2. Apprise the contractor of any precautions or procedures that NASA has implemented for the protection of employees in or near permit required confined spaces where contractor personnel will be working.
3. Apprise the contractor of the elements, including the hazards identified and NASA's experience with the space that makes the space in question a permit required confined space.
4. Debrief the contractor at the conclusion of the entry operations regarding the program followed and any hazards confronted or created in permit required confined spaces during entry.
5. Coordinate entry operations when employees of more than one employer is working simultaneously as authorized Entrants in a permit required confined space, so that employees of one employer do not endanger the employees of any other employer.
6. Deviations from any of the Confined Space Entry chapter sections shall be documented to the contracting officer or project manager.
7. Collaborate with Safety, Health & Medical Services for coordination between this program and specially tailored programs that provide improved procedures for unique operations of on-site contractors (resident contractors). Collaboration agreements shall be documented and renewed annually. Collaboration participants constitute the confined space working group or paragraph 26.2.9, as required by NPR 8715.3C, NASA General Safety Program Requirements.

26.1.4 Safety, Health & Medical Services Division shall:

1. Develop and maintain a written confined space safety program for ARC.
2. Provide information and consultation to project management and employees involved in confined space operations.
3. Perform an annual review of the confined space program.
4. Review cancelled permits, alternate entry forms, and non permit checklists periodically for compliance and communicate any deficiencies to the relevant (involved) parties.
5. Provide training to civil service staff and on-site contractors.
6. Provide contract and specifications review as requested by Ames management.
7. Maintain a file of permits received and the locations of all confined spaces identified at ARC.
8. Function as the regulatory liaison with regulatory agencies as needed for confined space entries.
9. Document reviews of cancelled Confined Space Permits that are submitted to the Division at completion of each entry or task.
10. Retain confined space records of each canceled entry permit for at least 1 year; to facilitate the review of the permit-required confined space program required by paragraph (d)(14) of the OSHA Standard.

26.1.5 The Contracting Officer (CO) shall:

1. Ensure all on-site (resident) contractors are aware and follow the confined space entry policies that govern work at NASA-Ames.
2. Ensure all contracted and subcontracted work, at every tier, involving confined space entry is conducted in accordance with the minimum standards of this chapter.
3. Ensure written authorizations from the Safety, Health & Medical Services Division where contractor conducts entries in accordance with a specially tailored contractor program that provides improved procedures for its unique operations. These collaborative agreements shall be reauthorized annually.
4. Obtain a copy of the contractor’s annual program assessment per requirements of 29 CFR 1910.146(d).
5. Inform off-site contractors involved in confined space entry of the following:

26.1.6 Multiple Contractors

If more than one contractor will be entering a confined space the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) responsible for the project will coordinate entry operations and ensure that each contractor is aware of the operations of the other(s) and that each contractor signs the entry permit.

26.1.7 Documentation

Obtain a copy of the confined space program and documentation of training, prior to the start of work. The CO or COTR shall ensure that every entry is performed with job specific written procedures and that a permit or operating procedure is posted at the job site, per NPR 8715.3C. Coordinate technical review of above documentation with the Safety, Health & Mission Services Division.

26.1.8 Contractors who perform Confined Space Operations shall:

1. Ensure that employees and sub-contractors at every tier comply with all procedures in this chapter, particularly Sections 26.2, 3, 4 and 5.
2. Obtain all available information regarding permit space hazards and entry operations from the Contracting Officer or Technical Representative (COTR), area supervisor and the safety office (Code QH).
3. Coordinate entry operations with the CO or COTR and area supervision when both NASA personnel and contractor personnel will be working in or near permit spaces.
4. Notify the Moffett Fire Department prior to each entry into a permit-required confined space. (Phone notification is required to determine availability of rescue).
5. Inform the CO or COTR, project manager and the area supervisor of the permit space program that the contractor will follow and any hazards confronted or created in the permit spaces (this. This information must be conveyed every time a confined space is entered).
6. Obtain all equipment, medical authorizations and training necessary to conduct a safe entry, including calibrated monitoring equipment. (NOTE: NASA may provide certain items of equipment, if so specified in the contract. The contractor shall provide all other required equipment.)
7. Provide a copy of the confined space program you will be following if other than this procedure as well as documentation of training to the CO or COTR and project manager prior to the start of work.
8. Conduct and document a program assessment per requirements of 29 CFR 1910.146(d) annually and submit to government.

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26.2 Entry Supervisor

26.2.1 The entry supervisor is the responsible person overseeing the safe entry into and work within the permit required confined space. The entry supervisor must complete the annual training requirement prior to performing the duties assigned in this section.

Note: The supervisor of employees who enter a confined space may not be acting as the "Entry Supervisor." The employees' supervisor may delegate these responsibilities to other qualified individuals but is also fully responsible for ensuring that the assigned person meets all the requirements of this chapter. For example, a Branch Chief is not required to act as the "Entry Supervisor" but may assign the daily responsibilities required of an "Entry Supervisor" to a lead person. In this case, the lead person would ensure that the requirements for specific confined space entries are met, with periodic program review from the Branch Chief. The Branch Chief is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the requirements of this chapter are met, even though his/her employees may be acting as "Entry Supervisors."

26.2.2 Entry Supervisors shall not simultaneously be an entrant. If the entry supervisor must become an entrant they must formally re-assign the duties of the entry supervisor to either a new supervisor or to the attendant. This must be formally documented on the Entry Permit.

26.2.3 The Entry Supervisor is responsible for the following:

1. Completing a Confined Space Entry Permit. The Ames form is at http://q/qh/forms/ or via informed filler at http://servermpo.arc.nasa.gov/Services/NEFS/ARC_DCData/ARC230.IFM.
2. Review the confined space and project hazards for the confined space to be entered each time the space is entered. Consult the Safety Division if you need assistance at 604-5062.
3. Make the Confined Space Entry Permit available to employees and post the form near the entry point for the confined space during the entire entry.
4. Verify the entry personnel and attendants are qualified, required forms are complete, necessary pre-entry tests have been done, required PPE is worn by Entrants, and necessary equipment is in place including non-entry rescue, and communications when required.
5. Ensure that conditions are monitored, that they do not degrade from initial evaluation, and that conditions remain consistent with the entry permit.
6. Ensure hazards listed on the confined space entry forms are controlled or eliminated.
7. Provide appropriate barriers to isolate the area and protect the entrants from external hazards.
8. Return the permit to the Confined Space Program Representative at M/S 223-6 at completion of entry.
9. Document any inconsistencies between the confined space evaluations on the permit.
10. When a confine space entry is cancelled or aborted the event must be documented on the permit or checklist.
11. If there are either planned or unplanned deviations from authorized procedure, the deviation must be approved by the project manager or CO.
12. Complete initial and annual training requirements.

26.2.4 Attendant shall:

1. Be stationed outside a permit-required confined space to monitor the conditions of the Entrants.
2. Attend annual training as required by their supervisor or employer.
3. Be aware of the hazards that may be faced during entry, including physical and behavioral changes in Entrant and know the consequences of exposure.
4. Maintain Entrant identification and effective communications with all Entrants.
5. Ensure Entrants are properly equipped and that pre-entry testing and measurements have been taken prior to entry.
6. Monitor entry activities inside and outside the permit space and ensure entry conditions remain consistent with the terms of the entry permit.
7. Attendants may not be assigned another duty that could possibly distract them. Attendant will not leave their location until completion of entry unless relieved by another qualified attendant.
8. Ensure the removal of unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit-required confined space during entry operations.
9. Order the Entrants to cease all activities and exit the confined space if any of the following conditions occur:

10. Order to cease activities and exit must be formally documented on the entry permit as a significant incident on the back of the permit.
11. Perform non-entry rescue and notify emergency rescue if necessary. NEVER Enter a confined space for rescue purposes unless properly trained and certified in Confined Space Rescue.
12. Document on the Entry Permit, all deviations and inconsistencies that occur during entry period.

26.2.5 Authorized Entrant(s)

NASA Employees or its contractors shall know the potential hazards that may be encountered during entry and the proper use and limitations of equipment to control those hazards prior to entering a confined space. The entrant cannot be the Entry Supervisor since all of the assigned duties of the supervisor cannot be carried out as an entrant. In addition entrants must also:

1. Attend annual training and obtain medical evaluations as required by their supervisors or employer.
2. Alert the attendant (if present) whenever:

3. Communicate with the attendant (when there is one needed), as necessary to enable the attendant to know the status of the need to evacuate the confined space.
4. Exit from the permit space as quickly as possible whenever:

5. Ensure that proper PPE is worn and functional and that required equipment is on site and functional.
6. Communicate all deviations and inconsistencies from the approved procedure to the attendant.

26.2.6 Confined Space Working Group

A working group, as required by NPR 8715.3C, NASA General Program Requirements, shall be established and consist of a civil servant and contractor representative from the Safety, Health & Medical Services Division and representatives from each operation with a collaborative agreement, as outlined in paragraphs 26.2.1 and 26.2.4.

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26.3 Confined-Space Entry Procedures

26.3.1 Confined-Space Evaluation and Classification Procedures

Every confined-space shall be evaluated by the employee supervisor, area supervisor, or an individual working on his/her behalf to determine if a space/area is a permit-required confined-space, non-permit-required confined-space, or neither. All confined spaces in the area should be properly labeled. If there are spaces in the area that are incorrectly labeled or have not yet been evaluated then the Safety Division should be contacted to perform an evaluation. This evaluation must take place prior to any Confined-Space Entry. The flow chart found in Appendix D shall be used to assist with the evaluation. The area or employee supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the evaluation has been performed.

26.3.1.1 Confined-Space Evaluation Form

For every Confined Space at ARC there should be a confined space evaluation form on file. If there is not an evaluation on file then the area supervisor or Code QH should be contacted to ensure the space is properly classified and all potential hazards are identified prior to any confined space entry. If an area supervisor or manager completes an evaluation of a space a copy of that form must be returned to the Safety Division and one copy must be retained with the employee supervisor. A copy of the confined space evaluation form can be found in Appendix E. In the absence of a completed Confined-Space Evaluation Form, a confined-space must be considered to be a Permit-Required Confined Space.

26.3.1.2 Danger Sign

Danger Signs shall be posted at all permit-required confined spaces and Warning Signs shall be posted at all non-permit required confined spaces by the area or employee supervisor. The purpose of the sign is to inform employees of the existence, location, and danger posed by the permit-required or non-permit required confined-space. See Appendix I and J for confined-space danger and warning sign(s) to be used at Ames.

26.3.2 Confined-Space Entry Requirements

26.3.2(a) Non-Permit Confined Space Entry Control

A Non-Permit Required Confined Space (NPRCS) is confined space that does not contain, or with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazards capable of causing death or serious physical harm. There are however, entry control procedures to ensure the safety of Entrants.

1. Pre-entry: Before entry into a non-permit space is authorized the designated Entrant shall, complete the Non-Permit Confined Space Checklist prior to entry.
2. The effective time of the Non-Permit Confined Space Checklist shall not exceed the time required to complete the task identified. If a new crew arrives, new forms must be completed by the new entrant.
3. The completed form shall be signed and dated by the entrant and returned to the Confined Space Program Representative at M/S 223-6, Code QH at the completion of entry.

26.3.2(b) Permit Space Entry Control Pre Entry

1. Before entry into a PRCS is authorized, the Entry Supervisor shall:

2. All members of the crew involved with the Confined Space Entry shall sign the permit, verifying the information on the permit and acknowledge their understanding of the permit requirements.
3. All pre-entry preparation activities specified on the permit shall be completed before entry is authorized. These preparations include but are not limited to:

4. Evaluate permit space conditions as follows when entry operations are conducted:

5. The complete Permit shall be made available at the time of entry to all authorized entrants and attendants, by posting it at the entry portal or by any other equally effective means.

Entry

6. At least one attendant is required outside the permit space for the duration of the entry operation.
7. The permit space shall be evacuated immediately under any of the following conditions:

Post Entry

8. When the job is completed, all entrants have exited the space, and the space is ready to return to its initial configuration, the Entry Supervisor shall note on the permit any problems encountered during the entry so that appropriate revision to the confined space entry program can be made.
9. The duration of the permit shall not exceed the time required to complete the task identified. The duration must not extend beyond one shift with the same crew. If a new crew arrives, new forms must be completed by the new Entry Supervisor.
10. The Entry Supervisor must indicate the time and date the Permit is terminated and return the complete permit to the Confined Space Program Representative at M/S 223-6 within ten days of completion. The Area Supervisor should also retain a copy of each canceled or completed entry permit for at least one year.

26.3.2(c) Alternate Entry Requirements

Alternate Entry Procedures for PRCS are allowed, provided that all the requirements in section 26.3.2(c) and Appendix G are met.

If a confined space is to be entered through alternate entry procedures it must be documented that the only primary hazard posed by the space is an actual or potential atmospheric hazard.

In 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5) and (c)(7), OSHA allows use of an alternate entry procedure to enter a PRCS in place of an entry permit, provided that all of the following requirements are met:

Pre Entry

1. There is documentation of air monitoring and inspection data that substantiate the conditions above.
2. Documentation to support the former conditions is recorded on the Alternate Entry Confined Space Procedures Authorization Form prior to entry into the space and made available to each employee who enters the permit space. A copy of this form can be found in Appendix G of this chapter, on the Code QH website and on the ARC forms web page.
3. If any initial entry of the permit space is necessary to obtain the required monitoring and inspection data, the entry shall be performed under the regular procedures for entering a permit-required space including the completion of a Confined Space Entry Permit and the presence of an attendant.
4. If conditions exist that makes it unsafe to remove an entrance cover, the unsafe condition shall be eliminated before the cover is removed.
5. When entrance covers are removed, the opening shall be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or other temporary barrier that will prevent an accidental fall through the opening and that will protect each employee working in the space from foreign objects entering the space.
6. When testing for atmospheric hazards it is CRITICAL that the order of testing be followed, unless continuously monitoring multi-gas meters are used.

7. The authorized entrant or attendant if used is responsible to complete and record these atmospheric tests on the Alternate Confined Space Entry Form.
8. Establish continuous forced air ventilation sufficient to maintain the space safe for entry.

Entry

9. There shall be no hazardous atmosphere within the space whenever any employee is inside the space.
10. Continuous forced air ventilation shall be used as follows:

11. If the hazardous atmosphere is detected during entry:

12. At the completion of the entry make sure that a copy of the Alternate Entry Confined Space Form is sent to the Confined Space Representative at M/S 223-6

26.3.3 Safety Precautions

26.3.3(a) Confined-Space Hazards

Confined space hazards fall into two (2) general categories; hazardous atmospheres and physical hazards.

26.3.3(b) Atmospheric Hazards

26.3.3(c) Physical Hazards Table

26.3.3(d) Test Conditions

Conditions must be tested in a confined space prior to entry to determine if acceptable entry conditions exist. If isolation of the space is not feasible because the space is larger or is part of a continuous system, such as a sewer, pre-entry testing shall be performed to the extent feasible before entry is authorized and, if entry is authorized, entry conditions shall be continuously monitored where Entrants are working.

If hazardous atmosphere could be created by the work being done such as welding, cutting, brazing, open flames, etc., atmospheric monitoring will be continuous.

26.3.3(e) Test Sequence

When testing for atmospheric hazards it is CRITICAL that the order of testing be followed, unless continuously monitoring multi-gas meters are used.

1. Oxygen
2. Combustible gases or vapors
3. Toxic gases and vapors

26.3.3(f) Ventilation

Entrants will not enter a confined space that contains a hazardous atmosphere without appropriate respiratory protection. The hazardous atmosphere must be eliminated from a PRCS by forced ventilation in order for the space to be re-classified. The airflow shall be directed to ventilate the immediate area where the Entrants are to be in the space and shall start 30 minutes prior to entry and continue until all Entrants have left the space. The air supply shall be from a clean source and may not increase the hazards in the space. The atmosphere shall be tested periodically or as directed by the permit or checklist to ensure the ventilation is adequate. Should a hazardous atmosphere be detected all Entrants will evacuate the space. The reason for the atmospheric change shall be determined and corrected before Entrants may re-enter the space.

26.3.3(g) Toxic Materials

If an injured Entrant is exposed to a substance for which a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or similar written information is required to be kept at the work site, that MSDS or written information shall be made available to the medical facility treating the exposed Entrant.

26. 3.3(h) Air Supply

An adequate continuous supply of air shall be provided while work is performed in utility vaults under any of the following conditions:

1. Where combustible or explosive gas vapors have been initially detected and subsequently reduced to safe levels by ventilation, or;
2. Where solvents and other hazardous materials are used in the work procedure, or;
3. When open flame torches are used in the work procedure, or,
4. Where the utility vault is located in the portion of a public right of way open to vehicular traffic and/or exposed to seepage of gas or gases, or;
5. Where toxic gas or oxygen deficiency is found.

26. 3.3(i) Ladders

Ladders shall be used to enter and exit utility vaults exceeding 4 feet in depth.

26. 3.3(j) Open Flame

When open flames are used in utility vaults, the following precautions shall be taken to protect against the accumulation of combustible gas:

1. A Confined Space Entry Permit or Alternative Entry Form is required.
2. A test for combustible gas shall be made immediately before using the open flame device and continuously while using the device.
3. A fuel tank (e.g., acetylene, etc.) may not be in the utility vault except during actual use.
4. A welding, cutting and brazing permit (hot work permit) shall be filled out and approved by the appropriate department prior to performing any work that creates a flame or spark. Precautions shall be taken to guard against a build-up of combustibles, toxic gases, fumes, mists, etc., when open flames or welding operations are being performed in vaults.

26.3.4 Telecommunications Field Work

This section applies to the guarding of utility vaults and street openings, and to atmospheric testing and ventilation in utility vaults and non-vented vaults where telecommunications fieldwork is performed on or with underground lines. Telecommunications utility companies or contractors they control may perform work in spaces that NASA has classified as permit required confined spaces. The space may be reclassified so long as it has been documented that all potential or actual hazards have been eliminated prior to entry and at a minimum the requirements of this section are met.

26.3.4(a) Guarding Utility Vaults and Street Opening

When covers of utility vaults or street openings are removed, the opening shall be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or other suitable temporary barrier which is appropriate to prevent an accidental fall through the opening, and to protect employees working in the utility vault from foreign objects entering the opening.

26.3.4(b) Requirements Prior to Entering Utility Vaults and Non-vented Vaults

Before an employee enters a utility vault, the following steps shall be taken:

1. The internal atmosphere shall be tested for oxygen deficiency, combustible gases, and toxic gases.
2. When unsafe conditions are detected by testing, or other means, the work area shall be vented and otherwise made safe before entry.
3. All air monitoring results shall be documented on the Non-permit Confined Space Entry Checklist. The checklist is used to verify that the vault is safe to enter and prior atmospheric conditions have not changed.

26.3.4(c) Joint Power and Telecommunication Manholes

While work is being performed in a manhole occupied jointly by an electric utility and a telecommunication utility, an employee with basic first-aid training shall be available in the immediate vicinity to render emergency assistance as may be required. The employee whose presence is required in the immediate vicinity for the purposes of rendering emergency assistance is not to be precluded from occasionally entering a manhole to provide assistance other than in an emergency.

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26.4 Rescue

26.4.1 First Aid & CPR Certification

At least one member of the confined space rescue team shall hold a current certification in First-Aid and CPR.

26.4.2 Retrieval Systems

To facilitate non-entry rescue, retrieval systems or methods shall be used whenever an authorized entrant enters a PRCS, unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the entrant. Retrieval systems shall meet the following requirements:

1. Each authorized entrant shall use a chest or full-body harness, with a retrieval line attached at the center of the entrant's back near shoulder level, or above the entrant's head. Wristlets may be used in lieu of the chest or full-body harness if the NASA Ames and/or NASA contractors can demonstrate that the use of a chest or full-body harness is not feasible or creates a greater hazard and that the use of wristlets is the safest and most effective alternative.
2. The other end of the retrieval line shall be attached to a mechanical device or fixed point outside the permit space in such a manner that rescue can begin as soon as the rescuer becomes aware that rescue is necessary. A mechanical device shall be available to retrieve personnel from vertical permit spaces more than five feet deep.

26.4.3 Non-entry Rescue

If in the course of a PRCS entry, an attendant becomes aware that an entrant needs assistance in escaping from permit-required confined space hazards, the attendant shall:

1. Summon rescue and other emergency services.
2. Begin non-entry rescue procedures determined in the pre-entry safety briefing (e.g., use the mechanical retrieval system to extract the entrant from the confined space).
3. Attendants may not enter a permit-required confined space to attempt a rescue unless they have been trained and equipped for rescue operations, and if they have been relieved by another attendant.

26.4.4 Rescue that Requires Entry

Employees who enter PRCS to perform rescue services must meet the training requirements outlined in section 26.5.2.

1. If rescue cannot be accomplished using the non-entry procedure, the attendant shall:
2. Summon rescue and other emergency services.
3. Implement rescue support actions determined in the pre-entry safety briefing.
4. Qualified rescuers will follow their standard operating procedure for rescue operations in confined spaces.

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26.5 Training and Certification

26.5.1 Training Requirements

Entrants, Attendants, Entry Supervisors, and rescue service members shall be qualified for the position they fill. Training records shall include each employee's name, the signature or initials of the trainer, and the dates of the training. Training records will be available for inspection by authorized confined space team members and their authorized representatives.

Training shall at minimum, include the following:

1. The operations of the Confined Space Program.
2. The specific duties of each person involved in confined space operations.
3. The hazards of confined-spaces including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of exposure.
4. The proper use of equipment required during confined space operations including testing and monitoring equipment, ventilating equipment, communication equipment, personal protective equipment, lighting equipment, barriers and shields, ingress/egress equipment, rescue and emergency equipment used for non-entry rescue.
5. The methods and importance of communication between Entrant and Attendant.
6. The conditions under which the space should be evacuated.
7. The procedures for summoning rescuers.
8. The procedures to be used for a non-entry rescue.
9. Each member of the confined space entry team at Ames will receive annual refresher training after the initial training course has been taken.

26.5.2 Rescue Training

Employees who enter permit-required confined spaces to perform rescue services shall receive all the training normally given to authorized Entrants, Attendants, and Entry Supervisors.

In addition, their training shall also include the following:

1. The proper use of any PPE or rescue equipment necessary for making rescues from permit spaces.
2. The specific duties required for rescue personnel.
3. Practice making confined space rescues at least once a year, by means of simulated rescue operation in which they remove dummies, mannequins, or actual person from the actual or representative permit spaces.
4. Basic first aid and CPR.

26.5.3 Employee Training

Training shall establish employee proficiency in the duties required of authorized Entrants, Attendants, Entry Supervisors, and rescue service members, and shall introduce new or revised procedures, as necessary.

Training shall be provided to each affected employee:

1. Before the employee is first assigned confined-space operations duty.
2. Before there is a change in assigned duties.
3. Whenever there is a change in permit-required confined-space operations that presents a hazard about which an employee has not previously been trained.
4. Whenever anyone has reason to believe either that there are deviations from the permit-required confined space entry procedures or that there are inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of these procedures.

26.5.4 Safety, Health and Medical Services

This office will provide confined space training to Ames personnel and on-site contractors. Off-site contractors will make appropriate arrangements for training and documentation in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.146 and the approved program plan.

26.5.5 Training Certification

Once trained, each employee who serves as an authorized Entrant, Attendant, Entry Supervisor, or rescue service member shall have his/her training documented. The documentation shall contain the employee's name, the signature and initials of the trainer, and the dates of training. The documentation will be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. The safety office, Code QH, maintains a list of employees trained in-house.

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26.6 Appendices

Appendix A: Definitions

1. Acceptable entry conditions: The conditions that must exist in a permit space to allow entry and to ensure that employees involved with a permit-required confined-space entry can safely enter into and work within the space.

2. Alternate Entry Procedure: Entry into a Permit Required Confined Space without using rescue standby or filling out the formal permit provided that the only hazard posed by the permit space is an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere and continuous forced air ventilation is applied to maintain safe entry conditions. If any other hazards exist within then the alternate entry procedure cannot be used.

3. Attendant: An individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all attendant's duties assigned in the employer's permit space program.

4. Authorized entrant: An employee who is authorized by the employer to enter a permit space.

5. Blanking or blinding: The absolute closure of pipe, line, or duct by the fastening of a solid plate (such as a spectacle blind or a skillet blind) that completely covers the bore and that is capable of withstanding the maximum pressure of the pipe, line, or duct with no leakage beyond the plate.

6. Confined space: A space that:

• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry); and
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Note: There are two types of confined-spaces: non-permit required confined-spaces (NPRCS) and permit-required confined-spaces (PRCS). See these definitions for more details. There are three possible ways to enter a PRCS depending on the conditions within the space. One method is entry by full permit, another is Alternate entry Procedure, and the third is non permit entry by reclassifaction of the PRCS. These methods will be discussed further in Section 26.7. {29 CFR 1910.146 (c) (5) (i), (c) (5) (ii), and (c) (7).

7. Double block and bleed: The closure of a line, duct, or pipe by closing and locking or tagging two in-line valves and by opening and locking or tagging a drain or vent valve in the line between the two closed valves.

8. Emergency: Any occurrence (including any failure of hazard control or monitoring equipment) or event internal or external to the permit space that could endanger entrants.

9. Engulfment: The surrounding and effective capture of a person by a liquid or finely divided (flowable) solid substance that can be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system or that can exert enough force on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction, or crushing.

10. Entry: The action by which a person passes through an opening into a permit-required confined-space. Entry includes ensuing work activities in that space and is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant's body breaks the plane of an opening into the space.

11. Entry permit: The written or printed document that is provided by the employer to allow and control entry into a permit space.

12. Entry supervisor: The person (such as the employer, foreman, or crew chief) responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required by this section. Note: An entry supervisor also may serve as an attendant or as an authorized entrant, as long as that person is trained and equipped as required by this section for each role he or she fills. Also, the duties of entry supervisor may be passed from one individual to another during the course of an entry operation.

13. Hazardous atmosphere: An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided from a permit space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the following causes:

• Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL) or airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL.
• Note: This concentration may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet (1.52 m) or less.
• Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent.
• Atmosphere concentration of any substance for which a dose or a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is published in Subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control, or in Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, of 29 CFR and which could result in employee exposure in excess of its dose or PEL.
• Note: An atmospheric concentration of any substance that is not capable of causing death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness due to its health effects is not covered by this provision.
• Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health.

Note: For air contaminants for which OSHA has not determined a dose or PEL, other sources of information, such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) that comply with the Hazard Communication Standard, §1910.1200 of 29 CFR, published information, and internal documents can provide guidance in establishing acceptable atmospheric conditions.

14. Hot work permit: The employer's written authorization to perform operations (for example, riveting, welding, cutting, burning, and heating) capable of providing a source of ignition.

15. Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH): 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. Note: Some materials (hydrogen fluoride gas and cadmium vapor, for example) may produce immediate transient effects that, even if severe, may pass without medical attention, but are followed by sudden, possibly fatal collapse 12 to 72 hours after exposure. The victim "feels normal" from recovery from transient effects until collapse. Such materials in hazardous quantities are considered to be "immediately" dangerous to life or health.

16. Inerting: The displacement of the atmosphere in a permit space by a noncombustible gas (such as nitrogen) to such an extent that the resulting atmosphere is noncombustible. Note: This procedure produces an IDLH oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

17. Isolation: The process by which a permit space is removed from service and completely protected against the release of energy and material 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.

18. Non-permit confined-space: A confined-space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazards capable of causing death or serious physical harm. The Non-Permit Confined Space Entry Checklist needs to be filled out prior to entry.

19. Oxygen deficient atmosphere: An atmosphere containing less than 19.5-percent oxygen by volume.

20. Oxygen enriched atmosphere: An atmosphere containing more than 23.5-percent oxygen by volume.

21. Permit-required confined-space (permit space): A confined-space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

• Contains or has potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.
• Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant.
• Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.
• Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard (ex. Traffic, chemical hazard, process hazard, mechanical hazard, electrical hazard, and biological hazard).

Note: If the only hazard posed by the permit space is an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere and the employer can demonstrate that continuous forced air ventilation alone is sufficient to maintain the space safe for entry then the Alternate Entry procedure can be used. ( 29 CFR 1910.146 (c) (5) & (c) (7)). If the permit required confined space does not have an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere and all serious safety hazards have been removed the permit space can be temporarily reclassified as a non permit space for as long as the hazards do not exist. Non permit/reclassification checklists shall be filled out to document procedures followed to reclassify the space.

22. Permit-required confined-space program (permit space program): The employer's overall program for controlling, and where appropriate, for protecting employees from permit space hazards and for regulating employee entry into permit spaces. (29 CFR 1910.146 (d))

23. Permit system: The employer's written procedure for preparing, issuing and returning completed permits for each confined space entry and for returning the permit space to service following termination of entry.

24. Prohibited condition: Any condition in a permit space that is not allowed by the permit during the period when entry is authorized.

25. Reclassification of Spaces: A space classified by the employer as a permit required confined space may be reclassified as a non permit confined space if the permit space does not pose an actual or potential atmospheric hazard and if all hazards within the space are eliminated prior to entry into the space. Also a non permit confined space may be reclassified as a permit required confined space if any atmospheric or serious safety hazard is present in the space during the time of entry or if work in the space will create a hazardous condition.

26. Rescue service: The personnel designated to rescue employees from permit spaces.

27. Retrieval system: The equipment (including a retrieval line, chest or full-body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, and a lifting device or anchor) used for nonentry rescue of persons from permit spaces.

28. Testing: The process by which the hazards that may confront entrants of a permit space are identified and evaluated. Testing includes specifying the tests that are to be performed in the permit space.

Note: Testing enables employers to both anticipate, evaluate and implement adequate control measures for the protection of authorized entrants and to determine if acceptable entry conditions are present immediately prior to and during entry.

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Appendix B: Acronyms

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Appendix C: Regulations and Standards

• NSAS Headquarter Requirements and Standards

• Federal OSHA General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart Q, Welding, cutting, and brazing

• 1910 Subpart R, Special industries

• California Code of Regulations t of Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders Group 16. Control of Hazardous Substances Article 108. Confined Spaces

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Appendix D: Permit-Required Confined-Space Decision Flow Chart

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Appendix E: Confined Space Evaluation Form

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Appendix F: Confined Space Permit Entry Form

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Appendix G: Alternate-Permit Confined Space Checklist

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Appendix H Non-Permit Confined Space Checklist

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Appendix I: Confined-Space Sign: Permit Required

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Appendix J: Confined-Space Sign: Do Not Enter

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Appendix K: Confined-Space Sign: Non Permit Confined Space

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