Page 41 - Occupational Health & Safety, December 2018

Rescue team members must be trained in CPR and first aid, and employers must certify that this type of training has been provided.
ygen content, 2) flammable gases and vapors, and 3) potential toxic air contaminants. It also says there may be no hazardous atmo- sphere within the space whenever any employee is inside the space.
Some of today’s single-gas and multi-gas monitors are wireless- ly connected; long-life, maintenance-free monitors are available to conduct atmospheric testing prior to entering a confined space and as long as an employee occupies the confined space.
If a hazardous atmosphere is found in the space during entry through use of a monitor, the standard says each employee must leave the space immediately, and then it must be evaluated to de- termine how the hazardous atmosphere developed, and measures must be implemented to protect employees before any subsequent entry is made.
Then, the employer is to verify the space is safe for entry and that the required pre-entry measures have been taken, through a written certification that contains the date, the location of the space, and the signature of the person providing the certifica- tion. The certification must be made before entry and be made available to each employee entering the space or to the employ-
ee’s authorized representative.
Training Requirements
According to OSHA, before the initial work assignment begins, an employer must provide proper training for all workers who are required to work in permit spaces. When training has been completed, employers must ensure the workers have acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary to safely perform their duties.
Additional training is required when the job duties change; when a change occurs in the permit space program or the permit space operation presents any new hazard; and when an employee’s job performance shows deficiencies. Rescue team members also must be trained in CPR and first aid, and employers must certify that this type of training has been provided.
Records of the employee training are to be kept and made avail- able for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. Performing atmospheric testing as required and providing the proper training, equipment, and rescue capability will add up to a successful confined space program. For a full understanding of the OSHA confined space monitoring requirements, visit www.osha.
gov and search for the 29 CFR 1910.146 standard.
Jerry Laws is the editor of Occupational Health & Safety.
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Circle 8 on card.