This material is for training purposes only to inform the reader of occupational safety and health best practices and general compliance requirements and is not a substitute for provisions of the OSH Act of 1970 or any governmental regulatory agency.
MODULE 3: THE CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT
Purpose of Confined Space Entry Permit
An entry permit is a document prepared by the employer or employer representative. It is designed to be used as a checklist to document the completion of all steps necessary to prepare for safe entry and work in a confined space.
The entry supervisor must sign the entry permit to:
- ensure that acceptable conditions have been attained in the permit space and
- authorize entry. Further, you must post the permit near the confined space entry for entrants to verify that pre-entry procedures have been completed.
- The location of the permit space to be entered. The specific location with the facility or site should be noted.
- The purpose of the entry. The permit must tell what specific purpose of the work being performed.
- The date and the authorized duration of the entry permit. The permit must indicate when and how long the work is going to occur.
- The names of authorized entrants, attendants, and entry supervisors. The permit must list all workers who will be working within the space, attending to the workers, and the person supervising the entry.
- The hazards of the permit space. All hazards (electrical, mechanical, environmental, etc.) must be listed.
- The measures used to eliminate, isolate, or control permit space hazards before entry. The permit must list the procedures used to totally eliminate a hazard, isolate the space from hazards, or control the hazards. Lockout, blockout, and ventilation are common measures.
- The acceptable entry conditions. The permit must list acceptable LELs, PELs, etc.
- The results of initial and periodic tests performed, along with the names of the testers and when these tests were performed.
- The verified rescue and emergency services to be summoned. Enter the on-site or off-site rescue services.
- The communication system. List the type of equipment that will be used to make sure direct communication is available.
- The equipment to be used during entry. Tools, equipment, personal protective equipment, electrical protective equipment, fall protection, etc., must be listed.
- Any additional information necessary to ensure employee safety.
- Any additional permits issued to authorize special work in the space. For example, a Hot Work Permit may be required.
The entry permit is valid once it has been signed by the entry supervisor. An entry permit is valid for more than one shift if it contains adequate information and the following criteria is met:
- Names of all involved employees (entry team plus next shift).
- Clearly delineated transfer of responsibilities from one shift to another.
- Acceptable entry conditions are maintained.
- Entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit.
The entry supervisor must cancel entry permits when an assignment is completed or when new conditions exist. New conditions must be noted on the canceled permit and used in revising the permit space program. The OSHA confined space standard requires that the employer keep all canceled entry permits for at least one year.
Entry permit maintenance The entry permit should be kept on file for one year. The annual review of canceled permits allows employers to assess and revise, if needed, their permit space program to ensure that confined space workers are protected from space hazards.
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