Industrial Safety

Confined Spaces

I. OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES

A. This procedure shall address the identification of confined spaces, posting of confined spaces, control of hazards, completion of a confined space entry permit, and minimum precautions for persons prior to entry into confined spaces at the SDSU campus. The regulatory authority by which this standard is applied to the campus is cited in Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Sections §5156-5158, and the Code of Federal Regulations Subpart J §1910.146. This written program is available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. A copy of this written program including the attachments shall be located in each shop for review by employees who participate in confined space work tasks.

B. This policy and procedure shall meet the safety standards set by Federal OSHA and Cal-OSHA and advocated by San Diego State University. Adherence to these procedures will minimize employees’ risks of exposure to hazards associated with confined spaces. These include but are not limited to:

1. Spaces configured with restrictive work areas that are not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Examples of these types of spaces include but are not limited to:
   
   Silos, tanks, tunnels, vaults, manholes, vats, vessels, boilers, compartments, ducts, sewers, pipelines, pits, and bins.
   
   
2. Oxygen deficient or oxygen rich atmospheres. An oxygen deficient atmosphere is an environment composed of an oxygen content of less than 19.5% content by volume of air. An oxygen rich atmosphere is an environment with a concentration of oxygen greater than 23.5% or containing flammable gases or vapors. These gases and/or vapors increase the potential for ignition or explosion from sparks, heat or a flame source.
   
   
3. Physical hazards such as heat or burns from heating pipes or lines, electrocution or shock from electrical lines or equipment, slips, trips, or falls, hazards associated with falling and protruding objects, and hazardous dust, steam, or toxic vapors.