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Identifying whether there is a confined space in the workplace can be tricky. This is often the situation in HVAC due to working in a different home or building daily. Each assignment comes with a new area to assess and work in. Confined spaces for this industry vary widely including attics, crawl spaces, small closets, etc.
Is it a confined space?
An area is a confined space if the answer is yes to these three questions:
- Is it large enough for a person to enter?
- Is the entry or exit restricted?
- Is the area designed for occupancy?
Is a permit required?
A permit-required confined space exists if one of these conditions is present:
Yes, to one = permit required
- Is the atmosphere hazardous?
- Is there an engulfing hazard present?
- Does it slope or have walls?
- Are there other hazards present?
Simplifying the process of determining if a confined space exists will ensure employees are properly protected in areas that have a potential threat to life and health. There is no room for shortcuts. The result could have deadly consequences.
What to do when encountering a confined space:
- Employees should not enter a confined space unless they have been through confined space training within the last 3 years.
- Determine if the space is permit-required.
- Follow the company’s confined space written program.
- Remove any hazards that can be removed before entering.
- Ensure adequate safety equipment is available before entering such as ventilation equipment, air monitors, and an emergency plan in place.
- An attendant should be present just outside of the area anytime someone is working inside.
If there is question of whether an area is considered a confined space, a manager should be contacted.