The policy of the University of Vermont is to adequately safeguard all employees during the performance of their jobs. This program is intended to identify permit required confined spaces and their hazards and provide the necessary training to facilitate safe entry. It will be the responsibility of each employee to follow the stated guidelines for confined space entry and practice safe work practices. The University of Vermont's Loss Prevention Specialist is responsible for implementation and review of this program.

Non-Permit Required Confined Space

A confined space that poses no threat to life or health, with the exception of a hazardous atmosphere that can be eliminated through continuous forced air ventilation, can be defined as a non-permit required confined space. Entry into the space that poses an atmospheric hazard is allowed only after the space has been monitored for oxygen content and contamination and determined to be free of hazards while continuous ventilation is performed. In the event that ventilation stops, the entrants must exit the space until conditions can be monitored and the space be deemed acceptable for re-entry. If any hazards are discovered within a non-permit space, the space is to be considered permit-required and the components of the permit system apply. The University of Vermont has not identified non-permit confined spaces.

Permit-Required Confined Spaces

A permit is required if the space meets the criteria of a confined space and also has the following hazards:

1. The area contains, or has a known potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere. This may be an atmosphere with toxic gases above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), poor natural ventilation, or an atmosphere with an insufficient amount of oxygen, less than 19.5% or greater than 23.5%.
2. The area contains material with the potential to engulf an entrant. This may be either a solid or a liquid.
3. The area has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped by inwardly conveying walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.
4. The area contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard, which may be physical, biological, or mechanical

Examples of Permit-Required Confined Spaces include storage tanks, concrete vaults, boilers, rail cars, sumps, wastewater holding tank, and underground maintenance pits. A list of permit-required confined spaces is included in Appendix C.

In cases where employees plan to enter a Permit-Required Confined Space that has not been entered previously, or no historical documentation of the conditions inside exists, the following is required:

1. Post the area: DANGER PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE. DO NOT ENTER.
2. Eliminate pressure buildup before entry cover is removed, if applicable.
3. Guard opening to the entrance with a railing or other barrier.
4. Review procedures necessary for safe entry with team.
5. Verify, using a Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI), that atmospheric concentrations are within the following ranges:

• Oxygen 19.5 to 23.5 percent
• Flammable Gas/Vapor < 10 percent of LEL
• Known Contaminant < PEL

6. Verify that other conditions such as electrical supply, have been locked out or otherwise controlled.
7. Ventilate the space to control atmospheric hazards. Ventilation may be either positive or negative pressure.
8. Provide the following equipment:

• CGI: located
• Ventilators
• Communications, i.e., walkie-talkie, cellular phone if verbal contact cannot be maintained.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hats, gloves, safety shoes, coveralls, and respirators (when applicable)
• Intrinsically safe lighting ( labeled as Class I Division I)
• Ladders, if needed
• Harness, lifeline and winch or pulley

9. Station at least one attendant outside of the space for the entire duration of the entry whose sole responsibility is to monitor activities within the space, and prevent entry by unauthorized persons.
10. Plan in advance procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services.
11. Complete the permit prior to entry and post at the entry portal. A copy of the permit is included in Attachment B.

If for any reason the procedures and operations used at a site are judged to be inadequate by the team or the supervisor, the supervisor has the authority and responsibility to cancel the permit and revise the program to correct deficiencies.

In cases where employees have previously entered a space and have a documented history that the only hazard is atmospheric and that forced air ventilation has sufficiently maintained the atmospheric concentrations within acceptable ranges, the following requirements apply.

1. Before entry, the atmosphere must be tested with a CGI and readings must fall within the following ranges:

• Oxygen 19.5 to 23.5 percent
• Flammable Gas/Vapor < 10 percent of LEL

2. There may not be any hazardous atmosphere within the space.
3. Continuous forced air ventilation of the immediate work area must be provided from a clean source.
4. During entry, the atmosphere must be regularly tested with a CGI to assure that the readings stay within the recommended ranges. The CGI has been calibrated by.
5. If any of the airborne readings fall outside of the range, the following actions must be taken.

• Leave the space immediately.
• Re-evaluate the atmosphere from outside the space.
• Implement additional measures to assure that a hazardous atmosphere will not develop prior to re-entry.
• Prepare a written certification indicating the date, location of space, atmospheric readings, and signature of certifying person prior to re-entry.
• Complete a new permit.

The purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is to shield or isolate individuals from the chemical, physical, and biological hazards that may be encountered during confined space operations, as it is not always apparent when exposure occurs. Chemicals and petroleum products can cause serious injury and death if inhaled or when coming in contact with unprotected skin.

It is important the PPE users realize that no single combination of protective equipment and clothing is capable of protecting a worker against all hazards. PPE can itself create significant hazards to the wearer such as heat stress and physical and psychological stress in addition to impaired vision, mobility, and communication. PPE should be selected on a case-by-case basis because overprotection as well as under protection can be hazardous and should be avoided.

The minimum personal protective equipment requirements in a confined space include:

• Hard Hat: to be worn at all times.
• Safety Glasses/Goggles: to be worn at all times, if a full face-piece respirator is not donned.
• Work Gloves: standard work gloves - to be worn in dry conditions; nitrile or butyl rubber glove to be worn in wet conditions.
• Safety Work Shoes/Boots: to be worn at all times.
• Respirator: to be worn as determined by the on-site attendant.
• Hearing Protection: to be worn when excessive noise requires a person to yell to communicate from a distance of 3 feet.

The University of Vermont utilizes contractors to perform tank testing, inspections, and cleaning. Contractors are required to adhere to The University of Vermont's Confined Space Entry Program at all times when entry into a vessel is performed. Contractors may follow their own program providing it is submitted to the Loss Prevention Specialist prior to performing work. All contractor confined space entry programs will be reviewed to assure that they are at least as stringent as the University of Vermont's program.

Employees of the University of Vermont who are authorized to provide rescue service are provided with, and trained to use, the personal protective equipment and rescue equipment necessary for making rescues from permit spaces.

Each member of the rescue service shall be trained to perform the assigned rescue duties. Each member of the rescue service shall also receive the training required of authorized entrants.

Each member of the rescue service shall practice making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months, by simulated rescue operations in which they remove dummies, mannequins, or actual persons from the actual permit space or from representative permit spaces.

One member of the rescue service shall be trained in basic first-aid and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Prior to permit-required confined space entry, the entry supervisor will confirm that the on-site rescue service is located on the University grounds and prepared to respond. A means for summoning those services will be established prior to entry.

If rescue services are performed, the following procedures apply:

• The local ambulance service will be contacted immediately
• Remote rescue will be attempted before entry-rescue is performed
• Assess the situation prior to entry to determine the cause of the injury (e.g. electrocution, chemical release, etc.) and secure the space prior to entry.
• At least one attendant will be stationed at the opening to the confined space
• Rescuers will use the "buddy system" whenever possible
• Rescuers will be equipped with their own tripod (or other means of extricating rescuers) and air supply
• Rescuers will be provided with their own atmospheric testing equipment and shall not rely on the monitoring device used by the original entrants.
• Rescuers will enter confined spaces for rescue purposes using SCBA (or an airline with 30-minute escape bottle). An additional air line or 30-minute breathing air cylinder will be brought into the confined space for each victim.
• Atmospheric conditions in the confined space will be continuously monitored and rescuers will evacuate immediately if dangerous conditions are encountered.
• Remove the victim as quickly as possible through the use of a litter, backboard, or other means, guiding the victim over obstructions and through turns and openings.

All confined space permits are to be copied and forwarded to the Loss Prevention Specialist who will review the permits annually, or sooner. Changes will be made as needed to update the program and correct noted deficiencies.

The Confined Space Entry Permit must be completed prior to entry by the Attendant/Entry Supervisor.

The Confined Space Entry Permit will be located near the confined space entry point. It will be readily accessible and visible to all who must enter the confined space and will be in a waterproof pouch.

• Designating and identifying a confined space
• A means of locating the Confined Space Entry Permit near the confined space entry point for review by entering personnel
• A highly visible reminder to all personnel that work is ongoing in a designated confined space
• A single place for controlled entry and exit of the confined space

In order to properly complete a permit, the following elements should be addressed:

1. Hazard Identification - the identity and severity of each hazard in the space must be determined and characterized.
2. Hazard Control - procedures and practices that provide for safe entry into the space must be established and implemented.
3. Permit System - the written permit must be prepared, issued, and implemented. When the task is done, the Permit will be sent to the Health & Safety Compliance Manager.
4. Employee Information - Confined spaces must be posted with signs warning that entry is limited to authorized personnel only.
5. Unauthorized Entry Prevention - precautions, such as the installation of physical barriers (caution tape, posting of signs, and barriers), must be used to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering.
6. Employee Training - Employees who enter the confined space, serve as stand-by attendants, or issue permits, must have completed the confined space entry training program.
7. Equipment - appropriate equipment such as air-sampling instrumentation, communications devices, respirators, and ventilation blowers must be provided, maintained, and used as necessary to assure safe entry.
8. Rescue/Emergency Procedures - including provision for rescue equipment must be established and implemented.
9. External Hazard Protection - such as physical barriers, must be provided to control potential hazards posed by other employees and fork trucks working in the area.

Isolating the Confined Space to Prepare For Entry

The responsibility for isolating the confined space for safe entry and exit rests with a designated attendant.

This Attendant:

• Is responsible for ensuring the current Confined Space Entry Permit is used.
• Shall have had confined space training.
• Shall monitor the confined space atmosphere prior to entry and continuously during the confined space entry activities.
• Shall ensure the confined space is isolated.

This includes:

• Lock out/tag out Electrical sources, preferably at disconnect switches remote from the equipment
• Blanking and bleeding Chemical, steam, water, pneumatic and hydraulic lines
• Disconnecting Belt and chain drives and mechanical linkages on shaft-driven equipment where possible
• Securing Mechanical moving parts within confined spaces with latches, chains, chocks, blocks, or other devices.

Confined Space Entry Permit

Date:

Shift:

Dept. #:

Starting time:

Expires:

Location and description of confined space:

Scheduled work to be done:

Person in charge of work:

Persons authorized to enter: