Confined space is any enclosed space with a specified risk of injury associated with it, including trenches, sewers, chambers and pits.
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Are trenches confined spaces?
Some examples of confined spaces include storage tanks, sewers, manholes, tunnels, ship voids, pipelines, silos, wells, pits and trenches. These also require a permit for entry. In the United States, any pit or trench with a depth equal to or greater than 4 feet is classified as a permit-required confined space.
What defines a confined space UK?
A confined space is one which is both enclosed, or largely enclosed, and which also has a reasonably foreseeable risk to workers of fire, explosion, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation or drowning.
Is Underground a confined space?
A confined space has limited openings for entry or exit, is large enough for entering and working, and is not designed for continuous worker occupancy. Confined spaces include underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, underground utility vaults and pipelines.
What is not considered a confined space?
Just because a work area has more than one way of escape, does not necessarily mean it is not a confined space. If the space has limited ways to get in and out, it could be a confined space. A open top tank would have limited openings for entry and exit. 2) The Space is not Intended for Continuous Human Occupancy.
What qualifies as confined space?
A confined space also has limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, ductwork, pipelines, etc.
What is the difference between a trench and an excavation?
What is the difference between an excavation and a trench? OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground.
What are the two types of confined spaces?
Confined spaces are usually broken down into two groups: Non-Permit and Permit. Permit confined spaces are the most hazardous and require you or some qualified person to completed a safety checklist, simply called a permit, before you enter in to the space.
What is a confined space give 2 examples?
A confined space is any enclosed or partially enclosed structure that is intended or likely to be entered by any person, has limited or restricted entry or exit access and contains a potentially harmful atmosphere. Examples include tanks, pits, chimneys, silos, underground sewers, tunnels and wells.
What is the difference between a confined space and an enclosed space?
“Enclosed Space” is an OSHA standard for the electric-power industry. “Confined Space” is a broader OSHA category, with more stringent standards. “Permit-Required Confined Spaces” have even tighter safety rules.
Which of the following is not a confined space that requires a permit?
4. Which of the following is NOT a confined space that requires a permit? A space that contains a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphere.
What are the 4 characteristics of a permit-required confined space?
A permit-required confined space is one that meets the definition of a confined space and has one or more of these characteristics: (1) contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, (2) contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant, (3) has an internal configuration that might
How can you identify a permit-required confined space?
According to OSHA, a permit-required confined space is a space that has one or more of the following characteristics: Contains or could contain a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphere. Contains material that has the potential for engulfing the entrant.
Why is 1.2 meter excavation confined space?
The 1.2m rule for trenches used to be in older health and safety regulations and is often still quoted today. The basis of the rule is that, if a trench is under 1.2m deep, then people can enter the trench without the sides of the excavation being supported or battered back.
What makes a location a permit required confined space versus a regular confined space?
Permit-Required Confined Space: This is a space where the hazards to employees are controlled but still present. These spaces are usually IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health). Non-Permit Required Confined Space: This is a space where the hazards are “eliminated.”
Is a sewer a confined space?
The most obvious confined-space areas for drain and sewer cleaners are sewer manholes and septic tanks; however, any area which meets the criteria above qualifies as a confined space.
How deep can a trench be before shoring is required?
5 feet
Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
When a trench is 4 feet or more in depth?
A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.
What is an open trench?
Open trench means a partially or totally excavated trench, including a trench in which a pipe, conduit or cable has been laid but not fully backfilled to the level of the adjoining ground and finally compacted.
What are the 3 types of confined space?
There are three main types of confined spaces — permit required, alternate procedure and non-permit-required spaces.
Is a meter pit a confined space?
Even though a pit is typically open on top and over 4 feet deep, it can still be a confined space or permit-required confined space. Additionally, pits can be completely underground or below grade, such as a utility vault within a sewer system or a pit within a pit in a wastewater treatment plant.