Confined Space Training

No; There are confined spaces that do not meet the OSHA definition of a permit space; these are referred to as non-permit spaces, and therefore are not regulated by OSHA’s permit-required confined space entry standards. Only confined spaces which meet the OSHA definition of a permit-required confined space must be entered under a permit entry program. You can learn how to determine if you have any confined spaces, and then determine if they are permit-required confined spaces or non-permit spaces, by taking one of our online “How To” courses available on this website.

 According to the OSHA definition, there are four characteristics that can make a confined space a Permit-required Confined Space. They are:

1. The space contains an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere. This could include, but is not limited to, an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, an oxygen enriched atmosphere, a toxic atmosphere, unsafe levels of flammable gas present in the atmosphere, or airborne dust in quantities that an explosion could occur.
2. The space contains a material with the potential to engulf the entrant. Examples include a space where the entrant could suddenly be surrounded or captured by liquid. Engulfment by liquid could occur in sanitary and storm sewers, as well as in any pipelines, utility vaults, or process tanks that could suddenly be filled with liquid. Engulfment can also occur in confined space containing a finely divided solid material, such as grain, 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. Confined spaces that contain potential engulfment hazards include, but are not limited to, grain elevators and storage bins, as well as other confined spaces that contain materials such as flour, sawdust, powdered cement, or finely pelletized materials.
3. The space is configured to trap and asphyxiate the entrant. This would apply to confined spaces with inwardly converging walls or downward sloping floors that taper to a small cross section and could trap and asphyxiate the entrant, primarily by compressing their torso. Some examples of confined spaces where entrapment could occur include, but are not limited to, cyclones and similarly constructed chutes on some storage silos.
4. The space contains some other recognized serious safety or health hazard. OSHA is on record as explaining that “serious” hazards mean hazards that could impair the ability of an entrant to exit the space without aid, with the key determination is the likelihood that death or serious harm will occur IF an accident or exposure occurs. Examples of other serious safety or health hazards include, but are not limited to, mechanical hazards. Unguarded fan blades inside a confined space are a serious safety hazard, as would be agitators and mixing blades. Similar hazards include moving gears, belts and pulleys, and chains and sprockets. Also covered would be equipment that could move and crush a person, such as an elevator car. Exposed live electrical equipment and un-insulated conductors inside of a confined space also present a serious safety hazard. A confined space with a high internal temperature, such as a furnace, oven, or boiler, could represent a serious safety hazard to an employee working inside. So would a confined space containing a steam line or related equipment that could burn or scald an employee who is working on it.   And any confined space containing water or some other liquid deep enough for an employee to potentially drown is also a serious safety hazard.    One more example of a serious safety hazard is the presence of corrosive materials inside a confined space which could cause injury to an employee entering the space. Biological or radiation hazards present in high levels inside a confined space could also be dangerous. Even the potential for venomous snakes and other dangerous animals or insects must be considered in some work environments, as they could represent a serious safety hazard to an entrant. One more potential safety hazard that OSHA discusses at length in the preamble to their confined space standard is a worker striking their head on a low-hanging object, such as a beam or piece of angle iron, and becoming disoriented, or even being rendered unconscious.     

Remember, it only takes one of these characteristics to be present for the confined space to be classified as a Permit-required Confined Space.

OSHA does not issue permits to employers to enter confined spaces. A permit is essentially a checklist generated by the employer that lists the identity of the space to be entered, the hazards associated with that space, steps to be taken to eliminate or control the hazards, and emergency procedures for rescue and medical assistance if needed. The permit also lists all equipment to be used during entry, the names of entrants, attendants, and the identity and signature of the entry supervisor. Our on site and online confined space training courses provide you with a template written confined space entry program with permit that can be modified to fit your needs.

No; all employees who are involved with entry into confined spaces regulated under the OSHA standards must be trained. That would include not only the entrants, but also anyone serving as an attendant, entry supervisor, and, where applicable, employees designated to operate gas detection equipment or who perform rescue and medical services.

According to the footnote appearing with the OSHA definition of an entry supervisor, an entry supervisor overseeing entry into a permit space can also serve as an attendant for that space, or as an authorized entrant into that space, as long as that person is trained and equipped as required by OSHA for each role he or she fills.

No, they do not. What OSHA standards require is that training shall be provided to each affected employee before the employee is first assigned duties associated with confined space entry, before there is a change in assigned duties, any time there is there is a change in permit space operations that presents a hazard about which an employee has not previously been trained, whenever new equipment on which the employee is untrained is going to be utilized, any time the employer has reason to believe either that there are deviations from permit space entry procedures, or, when it is apparent there are inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use of these procedures. Be aware that OSHA does require employers ensure their employees who perform non-entry rescue and those designated to serve on in-house rescue teams practice making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months, by means of simulated rescue operations in which they remove dummies, manikins, or actual persons from the actual permit spaces or from representative permit spaces that, with respect to opening size, configuration, and accessibility, simulate the types of permit spaces from which rescue is to be performed.