PSFC Confined Space Program

Plasma Science and Fusion Center

Office of Environment, Safety, and Health

190 Albany Street, NW21 2nd floor
617-253-8440
617-253-8917
617-258-5473
Fax 617-252-1808

Be Safe or Die

Confined Spaces at the PSFC

The Confined Space Program

A number of confined spaces have been identified in PSFC experimental areas were students and staff must enter to perform tasks. For the Alcator group these include the Alcator C-Mod vacuum vessel, inside the top of the igloo surrounding the Alcator experiment, the LN2 sump and the cylinder. The alternator in NW20 has several entry points which constitute confined spaces. In the west wing of NW21, the VTF vacuum vessel and the LDX vacuum vessel are confined spaces.  Some but not all of the crawl spaces underneath NW21 are also considered confined spaces

Training

Anyone who wishes to work in confined spaces at the PSFC must receive specific training in the safety of confined space work. Contact Catherine Fiore to arrange it. It is PSFC policy to require CPR training of confined space workers as well. Entrants into the Alcator C-Mod vacuum vessel must obtain medical clearance from the occupational physician or nurse practictioner at MIT Medical Department who specialize in occupational health, Dr. Diamond and Nurse Jackie Sherry.

Confined Space Permits

Entry permits are required for a number of the confined spaces at the PSFC. Refer to the Procedure for Issuance of Confined Space Permits.

Confined Space Procedures

Confined space procedures have been generated for the the confined spaces listed above. Confined space workers must be familiar with the procedure for their area of work. These should be posted at the site while an entry is in progress.

Procedures are available on-line for the following permit required confined spaces:

Procedures for the remaining confined spaces at the PSFC are available upon request.

This page maintained by Catherine L. Fiore FIORE@PSFC.MIT.EDU