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DOE/EH-0298 --- Issue No. 93-01 --- 02/93
New Confined Space Standard
Expected to Protect Workers from Dangers of Confined Space
The attached Final Rule was published in the Federal Register January 14,
1993, Vol. 58, No. 9, p. 4462, to provide permit requirements for entry
into confined spaces to protect workers in general industry. (The attachment has not been included in this document.)
SUMMARY
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final
rule describing a standard that general industry workplaces must comply
with to protect workers in confined spaces from exposure to toxic,
explosive or asphyxiating atmospheres and from possible engulfment from
small particles such as grain or sawdust. This standard is applicable to
DOE facilities pursuant to DOE Order 5480.4, "Environmental Protection,
Safety and Health Protection Standards." OSHA expects that the standard
will prevent more than 5,000 serious injuries and 85 percent of the 63
fatalities annually associated with confined spaces.
The standard includes a permit-required confined space entry program that
requires "entry supervisors" to authorize entry to the space, prepare and
sign permits, order corrective measures when necessary and cancel permits
when the work is completed. The confined space program will require
supervisors to:
- develop a written program to prevent unauthorized entry;
- identify and evaluate hazards and establish procedures and practices
for safe entry, including testing and monitoring conditions;
- station an attendant outside permit spaces during entry times;
- post procedures to summon rescuers and prevent unauthorized
personnel from attempting rescue; and
- develop a system for preparing, issuing, using and cancelling entry
permits.
The standard will require that permits include an identification of the
confined space and its hazards and lists of authorized entrants, the
purpose of their entry and the date and duration of their permits; the
current attendants and entry supervisor; and both the results of tests
performed and any measures necessary to isolate the permit space and
eliminate or control the hazards. The permit must also describe the
acceptable entry conditions, emergency equipment and the means to summon
rescue and emergency services. Authorized entrants into confined spaces
will be required to be aware of any hazards they may face and be able to
recognize signs and symptoms of exposure. They must also be familiar with
any emergency equipment in the confined space.
In order to help industry supervisors comply with the new standard, the
final rule includes a flow chart for use in determining whether a confined
space will require an entry permit, a list of procedures for atmospheric
testing, a program model for permit-required spaces, sample permits and a
program model for sewer system safety. These models and samples are
included only as guidance and are not mandatory for use in developing a
permit-required confined space program.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The final rule is effective April 15, 1993. For information on the DOE
Confined Space Program, contact Edward Patigalia, EH-31.3, at (301)903-
3972. For answers to questions pertaining to the OSHA standard, contact
the DOE Occupational Safety and Health Standards Interpretations Response
Line at 1-800-292-8061.
Please note: The Final Rule published in the Federal Register January 14,
1993, Vol. 58, No. 9, p. 4462, is not included in SPMS.
This Bulletin is one in a series of publications issued by EH to share
occupational safety information throughout the DOE complex. To be added
to the Distribution List or to obtain copies of the publication, call
(615)576-3482. For additional information regarding the publications,
call Barbara Bowers, Safety Performance Indicator Division, Office of
Environment, Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC
20585, (301)903-3016.
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