Purpose and Scope
To formalize a Departmental policy regarding the entry into a permit-required confined space. All PFD employees and contractors are covered by this policy. This SOP will also assist PFD to comply with the provisions outlined in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permit-Required Confined Space Standard, 29 CFR 1910.146, and Miami University's Permit-Required Confined Space Program.
Policy
The Physical Facilities Department of Miami University is firmly committed to provide each employee a safe and healthy work environment. To meet this commitment, the following mandatory Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been established by PFD for entry into a permit-required confined space. Employees who enter confined space are potentially exposed to serious health and physical hazards from entrapment, engulfment and atmospheric hazards.
Questions regarding a potential permit-required confined space (e.g., a space not previously identified or marked) or assistance with permit-required confined space entry should be directed to the Confined Space Coordinator (CSC). The Environmental Health & Safety Office (EHSO) can provide additional information regarding Miami University's Permit-Required Confined Space Program.
Definitions
- Confined Space - An area that has limited or restricted means of entry or exit, is large enough for an employee to enter and perform assigned work, and is not designed for continuous occupancy by the employee. These spaces may include, but are not limited to, underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, pits and diked areas, vessels and silos.
- Confined Space Entry Permit - The written or printed document that is provided by Miami University to allow and control entry into a permit space. The CSC administers this permit.
- Permit-Required Confined Space - A confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:
- Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
- Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant
- Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to smaller cross section
- Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards
Responsibilities
Supervisors have primary responsibility for ensuring that their personnel are trained appropriately and that work activities are conducted in accordance with this policy and the University's Permit-Required Confined Space Program. Any employee who willfully violates or disregards provisions of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as specified by University policy. Any contractor who willfully violates or disregards provisions of this policy will be subject to penalties up to and including removal from the job site and/or loss of contract in accordance with the provisions of the contract.
The Maintenance Safety Coordinator (or his/her designee) serves as Miami University's CSC. The CSC will work closely with the Facilities Safety Coordinator on all aspects of the confined space program. At a minimum, the Confined Space Coordinator shall:
- issue confined space entry permits.
- maintain a copy of the Confined Space Master List, which outlines all confined spaces on campus.
- coordinate confined space training for PFD employees required to perform confined space entry.
- maintain confined space entry and rescue equipment.
Procedure
Employees whose work requires them to enter a confined space must notify their supervisor prior to entry. The following outlines the process for entry into a confined space.
- Determine if the planned work operations will require employees to enter permit-required or non-permit-required confined spaces by consulting the Confined Space Master list, which is maintained by the CSC. In the event that the CSC (or his/her designee) is not available, the following action should be taken:
- Contact the Facilities Safety Coordinator at 513-529-2809 for review of the Confined Space Master list.
- Review the copy of the Confined Space Master list, located at the Operations Center Desk in the Cole Service Building.
- Should work require entry into a Permit-Required Confined Space, contact the Confined Space Coordinator (or designee) and inform him/her of the planned confined space work operations and request a Confined Space Entry Permit.
- Designate the appropriate trained personnel who will be involved in the work operations. Review entry requirements with entrants and attendants.
- Gather the equipment as specified on the permit for the type of work to be performed.
- Ensure all preparatory measures listed on the permit are completed. These include but are not limited to:
- Lockout/Tagout - de-energization
- Purge, flush or vent space
- Hot work permit
- Explosion proof lighting
- Protective equipment, harness, lanyard, etc.
- Obtain permit authorization from the Entry Supervisor and proceed with entry operations.
Contractors shall coordinate confined space entry through the PFD project manager. The CSC will assist with entry in accordance with Miami University's Confined Space Entry Program.
Training
Training shall be provided so that all employees whose work is regulated by this SOP acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe entry into a confined space. At a minimum, training shall be provided before the employee is first assigned duties requiring entry into a confined space. Miami University's Permit-Required Confined Space Program outlines the specific elements and frequency of training. Contact the PFD Facilities Safety Coordinator to arrange for training.
Revision History