How can I determine if a work area is a Confined Space? or if it is a Permit Required Confined Space?
In order for a space to be a confined space it needs to meet these three criteria:
1. Is large enough and so configured that an employee can enter bodily and perform work.
2. Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit.
3. Is not designed for continuous human occupancy.
A couple good examples of a confined space are: tanks, manholes, trenches, attics, vaults, pipes, silos. While we work in most of these areas everyday, it’s important to realize that they are indeed a confined space.
Once it has been defined as a confined space the question is it a permit required confined space. In order to classified as a permit required it only has to meet one of these conditions:
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 such that an entrant could become trapped or asphyxiated.
4. Contains any other serious safety or health hazard.
