Post #7 – In the previous post to the Confined Space Training Blog (#6), we examined the OSHA definition of a confined space, with in-depth explanations of the three criteria that make up a confined space per the definitions in the OSHA 1910 and 1926 confined space regulations. In this post, we will follow up by providing several examples of potential confined spaces you may find in the workplace; some expected, and some not.
Keep in mind that while these examples list below are but a few of the different types of confined spaces that could be present in the workplace, they may or may not be examples of permit-required confined spaces. We will discuss how to make that determination beginning in our next blog post.
Tanks, Bins, and Silos
Tanks of various types and sizes that are large enough to be bodily entered, and which are entered through a portal or other restricted opening on the bottom, side, or top, would be considered confined spaces. This includes many fuel tanks, water tanks, and even elevated water towers which are often entered vertically through a portal on top.
Silos that are large enough to be bodily entered through a man-way or hatch on the top, side, or bottom could be considered a confined space, as would be similarly constructed storage bins and hoppers.
Various types of tanks that are mounted on trailers are often considered confined spaces if they are large enough to be bodily entered and have a restricted means of entry or exit, as are many such tanks that are mounted directly onto a truck chassis. The same applies to similarly-configured tank rail cars that are pulled by locomotives and hopper cars of certain configurations. And concrete mixers would qualify as a mobile type confined space as well.
Industrial Equipment and Fixtures
Large furnaces and related equipment, which are constructed in certain configurations that make them hard to get into and out of, could also be considered confined spaces if they are large enough to be bodily entered by a worker. Some smokestacks and chimneys associated with furnaces, as well as incinerators and other burning processes, would be considered confined spaces if the worker must bodily enter them through a hatch, ladder, or other restricted means of entry.
Some pieces of fixed equipment, such as a large industrial mixing vat that can be bodily entered and has a restricted means of entry or exit, are considered confined spaces. In addition, many large boilers that are configured to be bodily entered through a restricted means of entry or exit are also considered confined spaces.
One commonly overlooked type of confined space is large air handlers, where the worker bodily enters through an access panel and climbs inside to perform work. Other examples of confined spaces include the associated ductwork if it is large enough for a worker to bodily enter through an access panel or hatch, or where the worker crawls through an open end to travel into the duct.
Conveyor tunnels that are large enough to be bodily entered and have a limited means of entry or exit would be considered a confined space, too. And don’t overlook trash or materials compactors, balers, and crushers that are configured as confined spaces.
Pits
Open-top pits that are deep enough to require the worker to enter or exit by a ladder or similar methods, or are too deep for the worker to easily step out of would be considered a confined space. And many escalator pits that are large enough for the worker to bodily enter, and that are deep enough that a worker would have difficulty getting in or out once the cover over the pit has been removed to facilitate entry, would also be considered confined spaces.
Many elevator shafts and pits are confined spaces that are deep enough or otherwise configured to require the worker to enter and exit on a ladder or via some other restricted means of entry or exit, are confined spaces.
Large dock levelers that are designed with a front cover or top that opens enough to allow a worker to crawl inside the pit beneath to perform maintenance or repairs on that equipment would be considered confined spaces.
Sewers, Vaults, and Other Underground Installations
Sanitary sewers which are large enough to be bodily entered qualify as confined spaces, as are many related facilities like sewer digesters, and some sewer lift stations.
Similarly, storm sewers that are large enough to be bodily entered and have a restricted means of entry or exit are considered confined spaces, as are many drainage culverts.
A related example of a confined space is a septic tank that is large enough for the worker to enter and has a restricted means of entry and exit. The same applies to many larger grease traps.
Most in-ground utility vaults that are entered via a hatch or manhole opening and that have not been designed for continuous occupancy are typically considered a confined space, as would be many wells.
Most pipelines, whether underground or not, are large enough to be bodily entered and have a restricted means of entry or exit, such as a portal, man-way, or an open-end small enough to require the worker to crawl or stoop to enter, qualify as a confined space. And even when a large bore pipeline has an open end and the worker can enter and exit upright, the pipeline would still be considered a confined space if the worker must travel a distance far enough to where they might not be able to get out in time should an emergency develop, thereby creating a restricted means of exit.
Tunnels and Crawl Spaces
Utility tunnels that have pipes, ducts or similar obstructions that require the entrant to crawl under or over them to exit the space could be considered a confined space, as would a long utility tunnel that requires the entrant to travel a great distance to get to the nearest means of egress.
Many crawl spaces located beneath buildings, floors, equipment, in between walls, and above some ceilings are also considered confined spaces.
Are Attics Confined Spaces?
If an attic space requires the worker to climb a ladder and squeeze through an opening to get inside it could be classified as a confined space.
Examples of Confined Spaces
These are but a few examples of confined spaces, and there are many others that were not mentioned here. If you take a few moments to think about it, you can probably come up with a list of all of the different types of confined spaces typically present at your workplace. And remember, it’s not just confined spaces that are part of the facilities, but also mobile confined spaces such as tanks transported by trucks and railcars, as well as confined spaces that are created during manufacturing or construction processes.
In our next post, we will begin exploring the criteria that determine whether or not each of these confined spaces (and others) must be categorized as a permit-required confined space, or if they are what OSHA calls a non-permit confined space.
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