Confined Space – Where the Responsibility Falls

Plant Manager:

• Responsible for ensuring that the site complies with this guidance, and audits against it, as part of their basic site SHE improvement plan.

Plant Superintendent:

• A facility-specific Confined Space procedure is maintained consistent with this guidance.
• Individuals involved with the system have received adequate training
• Individuals authorized to issue and accept permits have been appointed

Permit Issuer:

• Know the space hazards including information on the mode of exposure, signs or symptoms, and consequences of exposure
• Verify emergency plans and specified entry conditions such as permits, tests, procedures, and equipment before allowing entry
• Terminate entry and cancel permits when entry operations are completed or if a new condition exists
• Take appropriate measures to remove unauthorized entrants
• Ensure that entry operations remain consistent with the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained

Authorized Entrant’s Duties:

• Know space hazards, including information on the mode of exposure, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure
• Use appropriate PPE properly
• As necessary, maintain communication with the attendant(s) to enable the attendant to monitor the entrant’s status as well as to alert the entrant to evacuate
• Exit from the permit space as soon as possible when ordered by an authorized person, when the entrant recognizes the warning signs or symptoms of exposure exist, when a prohibited condition exists, or when an automatic alarm is activated
• Alert the attendant when a prohibited condition exists or when warning signs or symptoms of exposure exist

Attendant’s Duties:

• Remain outside the permit space during entry operations
• Perform non-entry rescue by raising the entrant out of the space via the emergency rope.
• Know existing and potential hazards, including information on the mode of exposure, and their physiological effects
• Maintain communication with and keep an accurate account of those workers entering the permit space
• Order evacuation of the permit space when a prohibited condition exists, when a worker shows signs of a physiological effects of hazard exposure, when an emergency outside the permit space exists, and when the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform required duties
• Summon rescue and other services during an emergency
• Ensure that unauthorized entrants and entry supervisor of unauthorized persons
• Perform no other duties that may interfere with the attendant’s primary duties