Page 29 - OHS, April/May 2025

space, it’s important to know what poten-
space, it’s important to know what poten-
tial hazards could enter the space. It may
tial hazards could enter the space. It may
not readily contain toxic vapors, but weld-
not readily contain toxic vapors, but weld-
ing above the entry point may lead to tox-
ing above the entry point may lead to tox-
ins sinking into the space. Employees and
ins sinking into the space. Employees and
authorizing supervisors need to look for
such potential hazards every time and en-
try is being made. Knowing how to prop-
erly conduct risk assessments before each
entry will help reveal those hazards.
Authorizing Supervisors
One of the requirements of entering a
permit-required confi ned space (PRCS)
is completing a space permit application.
Th is is to be performed by those entering
the space. Once completed, the application
is reviewed and signed by an entry-autho-
rizing supervisor.
A designated authorizing supervisor
doesn’t have to be a supervisor by position,
but he or she is accountable and responsi-
ble for the lives of confi ned space entrants.
Th at may sound a bit dramatic, but it’s ac-
curate. For that reason, many companies
expect the “authorizing supervisor” to be a
supervisor by position.
When reviewing a permit application, the
authorizing supervisor must do more than
just read through it. He or she is responsible
for physically walking through the applica-
tion, visually ensuring all controls and pro-
tective measures have been done and that the
air monitoring readings are safe for entry.
In a nutshell, it is the authorizing super-
visor who is the fi nal check, the one who en-
sures all measures were taken and that noth-
ing was overlooked that could endanger the
entrants. Signing off on the permit applica-
tion means he or she is convinced that entry
is safe, that an assigned attendant is ready,
that emergency procedures and/or respond-
ers are in place, and that the permit is posted.
Th e authorizing supervisor must be
prepared to hold the team accountable with
following permit-entry protocols. Th ere is
no room for condoning or ignoring short-
cuts, pencil-whipping the application, or
allowing variations in protective measures.
Th e authorizing supervisor’s manager
has a role, as well, ensuring the supervisor
is properly trained and fulfi lls his or her re-
sponsibilities.
Evaluating Confi ned Spaces
Confi ned space standards require that each
space be identifi ed, listed, and evaluated
annually for changes in potential hazards
or classifi cations. Know the defi nitions and
or classifi cations. Know the defi nitions and
classify spaces, based on the defi nitions.
classify spaces, based on the defi nitions.
Th is is a critical step to ensure the confi ned
Th is is a critical step to ensure the confi ned
space program is successful. Failure to clas-
space program is successful. Failure to clas-
sify spaces properly leads to shortcuts and
sify spaces properly leads to shortcuts and
preventable deaths!
Employers who choose to classify all
“confi ned spaces” as permit-required spaces
do so at great risk. Whether it’s thinking
this decision provides greater safety or there
is confusion on what a real confi ned space
is, the results create confusion, apathy, and
complacency in hazard recognition.
When all confi ned spaces are classifi ed
as permit-required, employees soon recog-
nize the “stupidity” of it all—the extra work
of completing an application and all the
required actions of air monitoring to tak-
ing an extra person to post as an attendant
when there is no life-threatening hazard,
to mis-classifying work areas as confi ned
spaces because of normal work-related
hazards (lockout/tagout, need for respira-
tors or dust masks, etc.).
Th is one decision alone sets your team
up for failure. It encourages shortcuts and
generates apathy toward all confi ned spac-
es, including the dangerous ones.
Conclusion
Confi ned spaces can be deadly. Know-
ing how to identify and properly classify
a confi ned space is critical to ensuring the
right protocols and practices are followed.
Authorizing supervisors and managers are
responsible for ensuring the team is prop-
erly trained and follows safe practices while
serving as the fi nal link between an entrant
staying safe and healthy or being exposed
to life-threatening hazards.
Confi ned space deaths are preventable.
Do not under-value your role and respon-
sibilities regarding the safety and health of
your team. Don’t be the person with life-
long regret or guilt because of being the
weakest link in the program.
Randy DeVaul, MA, NREMT (safety-
pro1158@gmail.com) is an experienced
safety professional who partners with
employers to build and enhance the safety
culture in their organizations (Integrated
Safety Solutions; safetypro6.wixsite.com/
integratedsafety). He is an accomplished
safety leader, author, speaker, and desig-
nated OSHA/MSHA expert, ready to assist
with safety, upon request. Comments are
always welcome.
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