Definitions

Detailed definitions are provided in Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Section §5157. A summary of applicable definitions is provided below.

Alternate Entry Procedure:

A procedure that may be used to enter a confined space if the only actual or potential hazard present in the space is atmospheric in nature, can be controlled by continuous forced air ventilation alone, will not become immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) if the mechanical ventilation should fail and documented data supports these findings.

Attendant:

The person responsible for monitoring workers inside the permit required confined space from outside the space. The Attendant conducts continuous monitoring for changes in potentially hazardous air contaminants. They remain in constant contact with workers inside the space and may stop a job and order workers out of the space if they believe a hazardous condition exists. The Attendant must never enter or leave the confined space opening, unless they are relieved by another Attendant, or upon completion of the job after workers have evacuated the space and closed the confined space opening.

Authorized Entrant:

The person authorized by the campus to enter a permit required confined space after receiving training. Their task is to complete the job within the confined space and to be aware of all hazards associated with work within the space.

Confined Space:

Has limited means of entry and exit (for example manholes and vaults),
Is large enough and configured so that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work, and
Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Confined Space Entry Permit:

A written document that is provided by the employer to authorize and control entry into a permitted confined space. (Attachment C)

Entry Supervisor:

The person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry.

Hazardous Atmospheres:

An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness resulting from one or more of the following:

Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL).
Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL. This may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet or less.
Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent.
Atmospheric concentration of any radioactive or airborne contaminant substance that could result in an exposure greater than the dose limit or Permissible Exposure Level (PEL).
Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH).

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH):

Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a confined space.

Lower Flammable Limit (LFL):

The minimum vapor concentration of a flammable liquid in air, below which flame propagation does not occur on contact with an ignition source.

Non Permit Confined Space:

A space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.

Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere:

A space with air that has an oxygen concentration less than 19.5% by volume.

Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere:

A space with air that has an oxygen concentration greater than 23.5% by volume.

Permit Required Confined Space:

A confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere,
Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing Entrants,
Has an internal configuration such that an Entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section, or
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Testing:

The process by which hazards that may confront Entrants of a permitted confined space are identified and evaluated.

Toxic Atmosphere:

A material in the air that will cause injury to an individual entering the space.

Ventilation:

A process used to control the atmospheric hazards of confined spaces by replacing unsafe air with clean, breathable air.


	Business and Financial Affairs > Environmental Health and Safety > Industrial Safety > Confined Spaces >
	Industrial Safety Confined Spaces III. DEFINITIONS Detailed definitions are provided in Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Section §5157. A summary of applicable definitions is provided below. Alternate Entry Procedure: A procedure that may be used to enter a confined space if the only actual or potential hazard present in the space is atmospheric in nature, can be controlled by continuous forced air ventilation alone, will not become immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) if the mechanical ventilation should fail and documented data supports these findings. Attendant: The person responsible for monitoring workers inside the permit required confined space from outside the space. The Attendant conducts continuous monitoring for changes in potentially hazardous air contaminants. They remain in constant contact with workers inside the space and may stop a job and order workers out of the space if they believe a hazardous condition exists. The Attendant must never enter or leave the confined space opening, unless they are relieved by another Attendant, or upon completion of the job after workers have evacuated the space and closed the confined space opening. Authorized Entrant: The person authorized by the campus to enter a permit required confined space after receiving training. Their task is to complete the job within the confined space and to be aware of all hazards associated with work within the space. Confined Space: Has limited means of entry and exit (for example manholes and vaults), Is large enough and configured so that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work, and Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Confined Space Entry Permit: A written document that is provided by the employer to authorize and control entry into a permitted confined space. (Attachment C) Entry Supervisor: The person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry. Hazardous Atmospheres: An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness resulting from one or more of the following: Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL). Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL. This may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet or less. Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent. Atmospheric concentration of any radioactive or airborne contaminant substance that could result in an exposure greater than the dose limit or Permissible Exposure Level (PEL). Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH): Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a confined space. Lower Flammable Limit (LFL): The minimum vapor concentration of a flammable liquid in air, below which flame propagation does not occur on contact with an ignition source. Non Permit Confined Space: A space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm. Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere: A space with air that has an oxygen concentration less than 19.5% by volume. Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere: A space with air that has an oxygen concentration greater than 23.5% by volume. Permit Required Confined Space: A confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing Entrants, Has an internal configuration such that an Entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section, or Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard. Testing: The process by which hazards that may confront Entrants of a permitted confined space are identified and evaluated. Toxic Atmosphere: A material in the air that will cause injury to an individual entering the space. Ventilation: A process used to control the atmospheric hazards of confined spaces by replacing unsafe air with clean, breathable air.
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Industrial Safety

Confined Spaces

III. DEFINITIONS