Reviewed and Approved By:
______________________________
PSFC
Supervisor
_______________________________
PSFC Supervisor
_______________________________
Catherine L. Fiore, PSFC Safety Officer
Title:
Procedure
for Issuance of Confined Space Permits
Procedure
#: PSFC-CS-93004
Filename:
conf_permit_pro.doc
Author:
C. L. Fiore
Version:
2.0
Date:
Original: 5/12/93, Revised 7/16/2008
System:
Confined Space Permits
Persons
Responsible: C. Fiore, R. Granetz, D. Garnier, R. Vieira
Other
Personnel: See attached list of approved personnel
Introduction:
This
document
will detail the procedure to be followed in issuing confined space
permits at
the Plasma Science and
Several
areas
have been identified as confined spaces at the Plasma Science and
These
include:
the Alcator C-Mod vacuum vessel, the inside of the top cover of the
Alcator
C-Mod igloo, the alternator and lube oil tanks, the LDX vacuum vessel,
and the
VTF vacuum vessel. These areas may require permits for confined
space
entry under certain conditions:
Alcator
C-Mod
vacuum vessel during welding operations (introduction of an electrical
hazard)
or after activation of internal elements (radiation hazard); or at any
time
during which solvents are to be used in any of the spaces. The
alternator
spaces require permits for any entry.
These
areas
will be posted as permit-required spaces when a permit is needed for
entry.
Scope:
This
document
is designed to help provide for safe access to confined spaces at the
PSFC in
accordance with 29CFR 1910.146[1].
Safety
Analysis:
Air
quality
is a primary concern for working inside the confined spaces at the
PSFC.
The air must be monitored for oxygen content and for the buildup of
combustible
and hazardous fumes. If hazardous materials have been introduced
into an
area the air should be tested for content of these.
The
Alcator
C-Mod vacuum vessel could contain background radiation levels or
radioactive
contamination sufficient to require limitation of stay time, protective
clothing, or respiratory protection for entrants.
There
is
potential for electrical shock from the welding operations as well as
exposure
to ultraviolet radiation. In addition, welding could cause
spattering from the welding arc and a buildup of welding related fumes
(CO,
metal oxides, ozone.) Operations using a stud welding gun
are very
loud during the discharge.
Injury
could
occur from bumping into structures and studs installed inside the
experiment.
Definitions:
Confined
Space means a
space that
(1) is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter
and
perform assigned work; and (2) has limited or restricted means for
entry or
exit, and (3) is not designed for continuous employee occupation.
Entry means the action by which a
person
passes through an opening into a permit-required space. Entry
includes
ensuing work activities in that space and is considered to have
occurred as
soon as any part of the entrant's body breaks the plane of an opening
into the
space.
Entry
permit means
the written
or printed document that is provided by the employer to allow and
control entry
into a permit space and that contains the information specified in this
document.
Hazardous
atmosphere
means and
atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death,
incapacitation,
impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness from one
or more
of the following causes: (1) Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of
10% of
its lower flammable limit (LFL); (2) Airborne combustible dust at a
concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL; (3) Atmospheric oxygen
concentration below 19.5 % or above 23.5%; (4) Atmospheric
concentration of any
substance for which a dose or a permissible exposure limit is published
in
Subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control, or in Subpart
Z,
Toxic and Hazardous Substances, of this part and which could result in
employee
exposure in excess of its dose or permissible exposure limit; (5) Any
other atmospheric
condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health.
Hot
Work
Permit means
the
employer's written authorization to perform operations (for example,
riveting,
welding, cutting, burning, and heating) capable of providing a source
of
ignition.
Oxygen
deficient atmosphere
means an atmosphere containing less than 19.5% oxygen by volume.
Oxygen
enriched atmosphere
means an atmosphere containing more than 23.5% oxygen by volume.
Permit-required
confined space (permit space)
means a confined space which contains one or more of the following
characteristics: (1) Contains, or has a potential to contain a
hazardous
atmosphere; (2) Contains a material that has the potential for
engulfing
an entrant; (3) Has an internal configuration such that an entrant
could be
trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which
slopes
downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or (4) Contains any
other
recognized serious safety or health hazard.''
Responsibilities:
The
Entry
Supervisor, in
addition
to the responsibilities ascribed to confined space entrants, is
responsible for
overseeing the permit entry process. This includes:
(1) Preparation and verification of permits. This includes
verification
that all prescribed tests and procedures have been performed, that all
required
equipment is available, and that rescue services and a means to summon
them are
available.
(2) Monitoring of the entry to see that conditions and procedures are
consistent with the permit.
(3) Removal of unauthorized persons from the area.
(4) Termination or cancellation of an entry permit as required.
The
Confined Space Entrant
is responsible for:
(1) Understanding the hazards associated with the confined space entry
from all
sources which pertain: chemical (from MSDS), reduced oxygen,
electrical,
radiation, engulfment, mechanical, etc.
(2) Proper use of all required equipment.
(3) Communication with attendant.
(4) Recognition of requirements for self-rescue, and proceeding with
self-rescue when necessary.
(5) Obeying orders from attendant and the entry supervisor.
(6) Complying with all applicable safety procedures established for
his/her
project, and with the procedures established by the MIT Safety Program
and by
the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center Safety Committee.
The
Confined Space Attendant
is responsible for monitoring and protecting confined space
entrants.
This includes
(1) Understanding the hazards associated with the confined space
entry
from all sources which pertain: chemical (from MSDS), reduced
oxygen,
electrical, radiation, engulfment, mechanical, etc.
(2) Proper use of all required equipment.
(3) Communication with entrant.
(4) Recognition of requirements for self-rescue, and ordering the
entrant to
proceed with self-rescue when necessary.
(5) Ordering evacuation if an uncontrolled hazard is detected, if the
entrant
exhibits behavioral effects of hazardous material exposure, if
predetermined
entry times are exceeded, if a situation develops outside the space
which could
endanger entrants, or the attendant can no longer perform his/her
duties.
(6) Summoning rescue personnel as required.
(7) Following instructions of the entry supervisor.
Assumptions:
A
written and
approved procedure for entry into the specific confined space is on
hand and
all entrants, supervisors, and attendants are familiar with it.
Entrants,
supervisors,
and attendants have received general confined space training as well as
training for the job at hand. Those who will perform work
requiring other
training, such as respirator use, welding, or radioactive materials
handling
have received this training as well.
Any
other
required permits, such as radiation work authorizations or welding
permits have
been obtained.
No
person
will be required to remain inside the vessel longer than he or she
feels
comfortable.
Required
Equipment:
The
procedure
for the entry should specify all required equipment.
Procedure:
1. The entry supervisor shall check the entry procedure and make sure
that all
of the required equipment has been assembled.
2. The entry supervisor shall make sure that any ventilation equipment
has been
installed and is operating satisfactorily.
3. The entry supervisor shall check that all required measurements of
atmosphere
have been performed and that levels are in a satisfactory range.
4. The entry supervisor shall satisfy him/herself that the attendants
and
entrants understand their responsibilities and the procedure to be
followed.
5. The entry supervisor shall fill out the permit (blanks should be
obtained
from the ES&H office) and post it at the entry site.
6. At completion of the entry the entry supervisor shall return the
permit to
the ES&H office.
Training:
Those
authorized
to issue confined space entry permits (see below) shall be familiar
with this
procedure and the requirements for all participants in a confined space
entry. Training on this procedure will be given as part of the
PSFC
confined space training.
References:
[1]Federal
Register, Vol. 58, No. 9, 1910.146, “Permit
Required
Confined Spaces for General Industry; Final Rule”, 29CFRParts 1910,
Federal
Register, Vol. 58, No. 9, (January 14, 1993), p. 4463
[2]Confined
Space Program for the Plasma science and fusion Center, C. L. Fiore,
3/24/93
Persons
authorized as
entry supervisors:
Alcator:
Gary
Dekow
Robert
Granetz
Ian
Hutchinson
Brian
Labombard
Bruce
Lipschultz
Sam
Pierson
Rui
Vieira
Steve
Wukitch
Alternator:
Mike
Rowell
LDX:
Darren
Garnier
VTF:
Jan
Egedal