Checklist For Safe Entry Into A Confined Space
Regardless of the outcome of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s rule for construction in confined spaces, EMC loss control specialists recommend taking all appropriate precautions to keep workers safe and healthy when in these environments.
The following National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health checklist is just one of the many resources commercial policyholders can find in the Loss Prevention Information Manual in the Loss Control section on emcinsurance.com. Do not enter a confined space until you have considered every item on the checklist, and have determined the space to be safe.
Purpose Of Entry
- Entry is necessary and cannot be avoided.
Testing
- All instruments are properly calibrated.
- The atmosphere in the confined space has been tested.
- The oxygen level is between 19.5% and 22%.
- Toxic, flammable or oxygen-displaced chemicals have been removed or controlled.
Monitoring
- The confined space atmosphere is monitored while work is conducted.
- Continuously?
- Periodically? If so, state interval:
Cleaning
- The space has been cleaned or verified as clean before entry.
- The space was checked to see if it should be steamed.
- If steamed, the space temperature is acceptable.
Ventilation
- The space was ventilated before entry.
- Ventilation is continued during entry.
- The air intake for the ventilator is away from potential contaminants.
- The unacceptable space was ventilated and retested before entry.
Isolation
- The space is isolated from other systems.
- Electrical equipment is locked out.
- Disconnects are used where possible.
- Mechanical equipment is blocked, chocked or disengaged where necessary.
- Pressurized lines are blanked and bled.
Clothing/Equipment
- Necessary protective clothing is provided.
- Special equipment is available (e.g. rescue equipment, communications equipment).
- The required tools are available.
Respiratory Protection
- Appropriate and approved respirators are available.
- The entrance is adequate in size for entry while wearing the respirator or for emergency rescue equipment.
Training
- Entrants are trained in the proper use of the respirator.
- Attendants and entrants know confined space entry and emergency procedures.
- Employees can recognize the hazards within the space.
Standby/Rescue
- The attendant is in place and responsibilities are known.
- The attendant has constant visual or auditory communication with entrants.
- The attendant is trained in rescue procedures.
- Safety lines and harness are required for retrieval.
- Pressurized lines are blanked and bled.
- An emergency plan is in place.
- Emergency rescue procedure and equipment is available.
- Emergency contacts and a rescue team are available in the event of an accident.
Permit
- A written and authorized permit has been completed.
- The permit contains emergency contacts and their telephone numbers.
