Confined spaces can present serious hazards, including limited entry and exit points,
oxygen deficiency, and the presence of toxic or combustible gases. All personnel must
understand the risks involved and follow strict safety procedures to prevent injury
or death. See below for our policies and procedures for identifying, evaluating, and
safely working within confined spaces.
Contains, or has the potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere.
Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant.
Has an internal layout such as that someone entering could be trapped or asphyxiated
by inwardly converging walls or a smaller cross-section.
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.
Any space which is completely free of hazards and can be so proven without entering
the space. The entrant must be a qualified person and would be able to work alone
with no safety attendant required.
If it can be proven that hazards can be eliminated or removed through preventative
measures (e.g., ventilation of space, forced air feed, lockout/tagout, etc.) then
the rescue equipment will not be required. This will be determined by Environmental
Health & Safety.
A confined space includes, but is not limited to, storage tanks, vessels, sub-cellars,
bins, pits, boilers, sewers or underground utility vaults. A confined space can also
be open-topped, especially if it is four feet or more in depth.
Provides a copy of the permit to EH&S at start of job. Return permit at completion
of job.
Reviews entry requirements with entrants and attendants.
Ensure that the permit requirements are accomplished.
Post permit nearby confined space.
Supervise the confined space operations to ensure that conditions remain consistent
with requirements.
Environmental monitoring is required prior to entry, when shift goes beyond 8 hours
and/or when conditions change that warrant additional monitoring.
Ensure that all workers involved in confined space operations, including entrants
and attendants, have completed EOS 005 Confined Space Entry training.
Entrants and Attendants
Employees whose work requires them to enter a confined space or be an attendant must
be designated as confined space qualified.
Qualified Entrant
Must be trained and familiar with components of the training.
Be able to ensure that special requirements are met.
Know the hazards associated with the space and their effects.
Properly use the required PPE and other equipment required for entry.
Maintain a continuous means of communication with the attendant.
Alert the attendant in the event of an emergency.
Evaluate the space if an emergency occurs.
Qualified Attendant
A confined space qualified attendant must be in position at all times, outside of
the confined space, while workers are in the confined space.
Under no circumstances is the attendant to enter the confined space unless they are
equipped for emergency rescue and there is a qualified person to take their place
as attendant.
Must be trained to know the hazards associated with the confined space and their hazards.
Maintain an accurate account of all persons in the space.
Remain at their assigned station until relieved by another qualified attendant or
until all entrants leave the confined space.
Know how, and have the means, to summon emergency assistance.
Be able to order the workers out of a confined space if:
Hazardous conditions exceed those set by the permit.
An unexpected hazard presents itself.
Workers in confined space show signs of toxic reaction.
A situation occurs outside the confined space that could pose a hazard to the workers.
If attendant must leave the area.
Perform non-entry rescue procedures.
To obtain a Confined Space Assessment Permit, contact the Department of Environmental
Health & Safety. A Confined Space Permit must be completed when entering non-permit
and permit confined space areas.
All information must be filled out accurately by supervisor.
All special requirements must be noted on the permit.
A copy of permit must be given to EH&S at the start of the job and returned upon completion.
Environmental monitoring is required prior to entry, when shift goes beyond 8 hours
and/or when conditions change that warrant additional monitoring.
