SAFETY GUIDELINES
PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES

1.  Personnel involved in confined space work must be trained in hazard recognition, personal protective equipment, safety equipment, communications equipment, procedures for calling rescue services, and proper use of rescue equipment.

2.  Individuals who perform atmospheric testing will be trained by the Safety Office. Training will cover field checks, normal use, and specific limitations of the equipment.

1.  Test the atmosphere in a permit-required confined space if the space contains a potential atmospheric hazard. Test for oxygen concentration, combustible gases, and known or suspected toxic substances immediately prior to entry.

2.  Atmosphere testing must be performed by a person qualified by the Safety Office. Record the results on the entry permit. Employees who enter the space may observe the monitoring and will be immediately provided with the results of the testing.

3.  If the atmosphere is safe and there is no potential for a hazardous atmosphere to develop, workers may enter the space without retrieval equipment or forced mechanical ventilation, provided all other hazards (e.g., electrical, mechanical) have been controlled.

4.  If the permit space contains an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere that can be controlled by continuous forced air ventilation, workers may enter the space without retrieval equipment. Flammable and toxic atmospheres must be less than 50% of a "hazardous atmosphere" to qualify as an atmosphere-controlled space. The potential for a hazardous atmosphere will be determined by supervision in consultation with the Safety Office. Repeat monitoring at least hourly or more often depending on the possibility of changing conditions.

5.  Any use of chemicals, welding, cutting, or soldering in a permit space has the potential to create a hazardous atmosphere and requires the use of mechanical ventilation. Any such use must be approved by supervision and the Safety Manager.

6.  Notify the Safety Office immediately if atmospheric conditions are hazardous. Entry is prohibited until conditions are brought into acceptable limits. Retrieval equipment, appropriate personal protective equipment, and/or mechanical ventilation are required if the atmosphere remains hazardous or it is likely to return. Monitor continuously if the potential for a hazardous atmosphere is likely.

7.  Record monitoring results on the entry permit every hour. Exit the space immediately if the monitor alarms.

1.  If the space poses a serious safety hazard, the hazard must be controlled or eliminated prior to entry.

2.  Wear full retrieval equipment and appropriate personal protective equipment when entering a permit space containing an uncontrolled serious safety hazard must 

3.  De-energize and tag and lockout exposed energized electrical equipment. Mechanical sources in a confined space that could be hazardous must be tagged and locked out or guarded.

4.  Disconnect belt and chain drives and mechanical linkages on shaft-driven equipment where possible. Secure mechanical moving parts within a confined space with chains, chocks, blocks, or other devices.

1. An entry permit must be prepared by the entry supervisor prior to entry into a permit-required confined space.

2.  Ensure that the permit specifies the location, type of work, type of space, personal protective measures, authorized entrants, monitoring equipment and calibration date, hazards of the permit space, atmosphere testing, and control measures.

3. Sign and date the permit prior to allowing entry and ensure that entry operations remain consistent with the terms on the permit. The permit is limited to 12 hours. Terminate the permit  if a potential hazardous situation occurs which exceeds the conditions authorized on the permit.

4.  Keep the permit outside the confined space for inspection by all workers.

5.  Turn the entry permits into the Safety Office after the work is completed.

1. Follow all safety rules during entry. Do not use aluminum ladders when working around electrical equipment. Ensure that lighting is adequate.

2. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering the permit space.

3. Electrical equipment used in the confined space must be appropriate for the hazard. Inspect electrical cords, tools, and equipment for defects prior to use in a confined space. Connect all electrical equipment to a ground fault circuit interrupter.

1. The entry supervisor is responsible for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations and will:

• Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including the signs and consequences of the exposure.
• Complete the entry permit, ensure that air monitoring has been performed.
• Remain at the site and ensure that all entries are performed according to these regulations.
• Ensure that safety and communication equipment is available.
• ensure that only authorized individuals enter the permit space.
• ensure that entry operations remain consistent with the terms of the permit.
• terminate the entry and cancel the permit.

2.  The Entry Supervisor must be approved by the Assistant Director of Facilities Management and the Safety Manager.

1. Authorized entrants will:

• Know the atmospheric and physical hazards that may be faced during entry.
• Receive training in how to use safety equipment, personal protective equipment, and communication equipment.
• Maintain communication with the attendant.
• Notify the attendant whenever the entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom that may indicate exposure to a hazardous atmosphere or notes a possible dangerous condition..
• Exit from the space immediately if the attendant or supervisor orders an evacuation, the entrant detect a hazardous condition, or the monitor alarms.

1. An attendant must remain outside the permit space at all times during entry operations and observe the actions of workers. The attendant will:

• Receive training in hazard recognition and rescue procedures.
• Remain in constant communication with the entrants and order the workers to leave if an unsuspected hazard occurs or a toxic reaction is observed in a worker.
• Warn unauthorized persons not to enter the confined space.
• Be equipped with a communications device capable of contacting a base operator or the emergency rescue team.
• Not enter the confined space for rescue purposes until help has arrived.
• Continuously maintain an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space.

7.0   RESCUE PROCEDURES

1. Notify the Safety Office and The Radford City Fire Department prior to entering a permit space that contains a hazardous atmosphere or uncontrolled serious safety hazard.

2. Wear a safety line attached to a full body harness when entering a permit space containing a hazardous atmosphere or uncontrolled serious safety hazard.  The other end of the line must be secured to a lifting device outside the entry portal.

3. In the event of an emergency the attendant will immediately radio the appropriate base operator or contact the rescue team directly with a mobile phone. Notify the Facilities Management base operator during normal working hours. Notify the Campus Police base operator after normal working hours. The base operator will contact rescue personnel. The Fire Chief, or his designate, will be in charge and coordinate the rescue effort.

4. After placing the rescue call, the attendant will attempt to retrieve the worker if the worker is connected to a life line. Under no circumstance will the attendant enter the confined space until help has arrived, and then only with the proper rescue equipment. Attendants participating in the rescue effort will receive specialized training in rescue techniques.

5. When entering a permit space for rescue purposes wear a self-contained breathing apparatus or a positive pressure airline respirator with a ten minute escape bottle of air. Do not use air-purifying respirators for rescue purposes.

6.  Rescue breathing equipment is not required if the cause of the emergency is clearly due to a condition other than a hazardous atmosphere (e.g., object falling on head).