California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders › Group 16 - Control of Hazardous Substances › Article 108 - Confined Spaces › Appendix B - Procedures for Atmospheric Testing

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
Atmospheric testing is required for two distinct
						  purposes: evaluation of the hazards of the permit space and verification that
						  acceptable entry conditions for entry into that space exist.
(1) Evaluation testing. The atmosphere of a confined
						  space should be analyzed using equipment of sufficient sensitivity and
						  specificity to identify and evaluate any hazardous atmospheres that may exist
						  or arise, so that appropriate permit entry procedures can be developed and
						  acceptable entry conditions stipulated for that space. Evaluation and
						  interpretation of these data, and development of the entry procedure, should be
						  done by, or reviewed by, a technically qualified professional (e.g., Cal/OSHA
						  consultation service, or certified industrial hygienist, registered safety
						  engineer, certified safety professional, certified marine chemist, etc.) based
						  on evaluation of all serious hazards.
(2) Verification testing. The atmosphere of a permit
						  space which may contain a hazardous atmosphere should be tested for residues of
						  all contaminants identified by evaluation testing using permit specified
						  equipment to determine that residual concentrations at the time of testing and
						  entry are within the range of acceptable entry conditions. Results of testing
						  (i.e., actual concentration, etc.) should be recorded on the permit in the
						  space provided adjacent to the stipulated acceptable entry condition.
(3) Duration of testing. Measurement of values for each
						  atmospheric parameter should be made for at least the minimum response time of
						  the test instrument specified by the manufacturer.
(4) Testing stratified atmospheres. When monitoring for
						  entries involving a descent into atmospheres that may be stratified, the
						  atmospheric envelope should be tested a distance of approximately 4 feet (1.22
						  m) in the direction of travel and to each side. If a sampling probe is used,
						  the entrant's rate of progress should be slowed to accommodate the sampling
						  speed and detector response.
(5) Order of testing. A test for oxygen is performed
						  first because most combustible gas meters are oxygen dependent and will not
						  provide reliable readings in an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Combustible gases
						  are tested for next because the threat of fire or explosion is both more
						  immediate and more life threatening, in most cases, than exposure to toxic
						  gases and vapors. If tests for toxic gases and vapors are necessary, they are
						  performed last.
1. New
						  Appendix B filed 11-24-93; operative 12-24-93 (Register 93, No.
						  48).
Note: Authority cited: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code. Reference: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code.