This written program describes the UW - Stout program for confined space entry in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code, Commerce 32, Subchapter VI. This program is administered by the program administrator, Dean Sankey, who may be contacted in the Safety & Risk Management Services department in the University Services building. Copies of this program are available from the program administrator and shall be maintained with the Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds, General Services building; and the Director of Facilities Management, Price Commons. The Wisconsin Administrative Code and the OSHA Standard for confined spaces, 29 CFR 1910.146 agree on the definition of a confined space. A confined space is a space which meets all three of the following criteria:

The space is large enough and so configured that an employee can enter and perform assigned work; and

Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit; and

Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Wisconsin code distinguishes level 1 and level 2 spaces which approximate the OSHA designations of non-permit required and permit-required confined spaces. However the Wisconsin code does not provide for a written permit for either level 1 or level 2. In lieu of a written permit Wisconsin code requires the use of a written checklist which is included in this document as Appendix I.

On this UW - Stout campus level 1 entry is the only allowed entry into a confined space. Pre-entry verification of level 1 conditions is required using a calibrated, direct-reading instrument. Level 1 spaces are confined spaces where the only source of contamination expected or likely to affect the atmosphere is the employee's presence or activities. Atmospheric limits allowable for level 1 entry require:

An oxygen content of at least 19.5% but no more than 23.5%; and

A hydrogen sulfide content of less than 10 parts per million; and

A carbon monoxide content of less than 35 parts per million; and

A combustible gas content less than 10% of the lower explosive limit;

Exposure levels, for any hazardous substance present, at or below the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) or Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for any substance specified by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists or at or below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) or STEL or Ceiling Limit ( C ) found in Table Z of the OSHA regulations, 29 CFR 1910.1000; and

An absence of any other atmospheric or serious condition which is immediately dangerous to life or health.

A calibration log must be maintained documenting the dates upon which the direct-reading instrument has been calibrated. This log shall be maintained in the area where the instruments are stored. Calibration should be conducted weekly, prior to each use of the instrument, in accordance with the manufacturer's directions; calibration is required to be performed at intervals not to exceed 6 months. Calibration and log maintenance responsibility are assigned to Physical Plant in the General Services building.

These levels must be documented on the written checklist provided in Appendix I prior to the initial entry of every specific confined space following adoption of this program. Periodic documentation of suitability for level 1 entry must be conducted for each confined space at least yearly. The written checklists documenting such suitability shall be filed in sequence in Appendix I. Note that the existence of a written checklist does not eliminate the requirement for testing the atmosphere prior to entry; testing is required prior to each entry.

The direct-reading instrument used to verify suitable conditions for entry must accompany the employee into the confined space and must continuously monitor the atmosphere for suitable levels of oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, and combustible gas. Signals from the monitoring instrument must immediately indicate when the atmosphere falls outside of any of the air quality limits specified. If the air quality does exceed the limits specified, the employee shall immediately exit the confined space. The confined space now becomes a level 2 confined space and may not be entered until it is reclassified to level 1.

Reclassification of a level 2 space to a level 1 space may be accomplished by ventilation using forced air ventilation where the supply air comes from a clean source. The ventilation air must be directed into the immediate areas where the employee will be working. The direct-reading instrument shall be used to verify the success of the ventilation efforts in reducing air contamination to the limits sufficient for level 1 access. All reclassifications must be documented using the checklist in Appendix I; a supervisor signature is required following reclassification and prior to re-entry. Following the achievement of level 1 air quality, the forced ventilation and continuous air quality monitoring must be continued while the employee enters and completes work in the confined space.

If confined space work has the potential to create air contaminants, forced air ventilation should be set up and employed prior to entry and during the work activities. Examples of such potential include welding, oxy-acetylene metal cutting, and painting. Electrical grounding provisions shall be employed when using forced air ventilation to minimize the possibility of static electric build-up.

Note: Level 2 spaces which may not be entered include confined spaces which:

Contain a hazardous atmosphere outside the limits for level 1 entry; or

Contain a material which has the potential for engulfment of an entrant; or

Have an internal configuration that could cause an entrant to become trapped or axphyxiated; or

Contain any other serious safety or health hazard.

The UW - Stout has surveyed the campus to identify confined spaces. These spaces are all posted with signs to the effect of "Danger - Confined Space - Do Not Enter." Entry is permitted only under conditions of this program to authorized and trained employees. A current list of authorized and trained employees is maintained in Appendix II of this program. A responsibility of each trained employee is to be able to recognize any confined space not marked by a legible sign and to report this condition to their supervisor who shall immediately take action to post the proper sign. Authorized and trained employees or their supervisors have authority to conduct the required pre-entry atmospheric testing.

All authorized entrants to confined spaces shall be trained and equipped to recognize, understand, and control the hazards of confined spaces prior to their entry into such spaces; retraining shall occur following any change in procedures or hazards likely to be encountered. Each trained employee shall be provided a copy of this written program and shall be trained in all aspects of the program. All training shall be documented in Appendix II of this program.

All confined space entry under this program shall be made under the following standard operating procedures.

Confined space entry on the UW - Stout by non-campus employees authorized under valid contracts or sub-contracts shall be made under provisions of their own confined space entry program. A copy of their program must be filed with the program administrator prior to any entry. The contractor or sub-contractor program must be reviewed and approved by the campus program administrator prior to any entry.

No smoking is allowed within 10 feet of any confined space entry.

If there is potential for an accidental fall through any confined space opening when the entrance cover is removed, the opening shall be guarded by a temporary barrier sufficient to prevent any such accidental fall.

All sampling instruments used within confined spaces shall be intrinsically safe.

Any forced air ventilation equipment used shall be bonded to the confined space in a manner to minimize any build up of static electricity.

Confined space entry performed in streets shall be performed such that:

A vehicle beacon and 4-way flashers shall be activated upon approach to the entrance;

A vehicle shall be parked to permit traffic to flow in an unobstructed manner and, where possible, to provide protection to employees;

The vehicle shall be parked so vehicle exhaust cannot accumulate in the confined space; if necessary the vehicle exhaust shall be extended away from the confined space.

An attendant shall be stationed above the confined space entrance with the responsibility to direct traffic and the public away from the opening.

 

Date & Time: _____________________________

Job Site/Space: ________________________________

Equipment to be worked on: ________________________________

Work to be performed: _____________________________________

Job Supervisor: ___________________________________

Employee to enter confined space: ___________________________________

1. Atmospheric checks: Oxygen: _________________

Hydrogen Sulfide: ________________

Carbon Monoxide: ________________

LEL: _________________

Other Toxics: ___________________

Testers signature: _____________________________________

Source Isolation (Lockout/Tagout) description: ______________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. Ventilation description: Natural Yes/No

Force Air Yes/No

If this checklist is following a reclassification from level 2 to level 1, the Supervisor must sign here:

___________________________________

Content of Program: "CSP" = this program; "FA" = First Aid; "CPR" = cardio pulmonary resuscitation

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