Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-45 - Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution › Section 296-45-205 - Enclosed spaces

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This section covers enclosed spaces that may be entered by
				employees. It does not apply to vented vaults if the employer makes a
				determination that the ventilation system is operating to protect employees
				before they enter the space. This section applies to routine entry into
				enclosed spaces in lieu of the permit-space entry requirements contained in
				chapter 296-809 WAC. If, after the employer takes the precautions given in WAC
				296-45-205,
				296-45-215,
				and
				296-45-225,
				the hazards remaining in the enclosed space endanger the life of an entrant or
				could interfere with an entrant's escape from the space, then entry into the
				enclosed space must meet the permit-space entry requirements of chapter 296-809
				WAC.
Note:
Entries into enclosed spaces conducted in accordance with
						the permit-space entry requirements of chapter 296-809 WAC are considered as
						complying with this section.
(1) Safe work
			 practices. The employer must ensure the use of safe work practices for entry
			 into, and work in, enclosed spaces and for rescue of employees from such
			 spaces.
(2) Training. Each employee
			 who enters an enclosed space or who serves as an attendant must be trained in
			 the hazards of enclosed space entry, in enclosed space entry procedures, and in
			 enclosed space rescue procedures.
(3) Rescue equipment. Employers must provide
			 equipment to ensure the prompt and safe rescue of employees from the enclosed
			 space.
(4) Evaluating of potential
			 hazards. Before any entrance cover to an enclosed space is removed, the
			 employer must determine whether it is safe to do so by checking for the
			 presence of any atmospheric pressure or temperature differences and by
			 evaluating whether there might be a hazardous atmosphere in the space. Any
			 conditions making it unsafe to remove the cover must be eliminated before the
			 cover is removed.
Note:
The determination called for in this subsection may
						consist of a check of the conditions that might foreseeably be in the enclosed
						space. For example, the cover could be checked to see if it is hot and, if it
						is fastened in place, could be loosened gradually to release any residual
						pressure. An evaluation also needs to be made of whether conditions at the site
						could cause a hazardous atmosphere, such as an oxygen deficient or flammable
						atmosphere, to develop within the space.
(5)
			 Removing covers. When covers are removed from enclosed spaces, the opening must
			 be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or other barrier designed to
			 prevent an accidental fall through the opening and to protect employees working
			 in the space from objects entering the space.
(6) Hazardous atmosphere. Employees cannot
			 enter any enclosed space while it contains a hazardous atmosphere, unless the
			 entry conforms to the permit-required confined spaces standard in chapter
			 296-809 WAC.
Note: The term "entry" is defined in chapter 296-809
				WAC.
(7) Attendants. While
			 work is being performed in the enclosed space, an attendant with first-aid
			 training must be immediately available outside the enclosed space to provide
			 assistance if a hazard exists because of traffic patterns in the area of the
			 opening used for entry. The attendant is not precluded from performing other
			 duties outside the enclosed space if these duties do not distract the attendant
			 from monitoring employees within the space or ensuring that it is safe for
			 employees to enter and exit the space.
Note:
See WAC
						296-45-215(12)
						for additional requirements on attendants for work in manholes.
(8)
			 Calibration of test instruments. Test instruments used to monitor atmospheres
			 in enclosed spaces must be kept in calibration and must have a minimum accuracy
			 of + or - 10 percent.
(9) Testing
			 for oxygen deficiency. Before an employee enters an enclosed space, the
			 atmosphere in the enclosed space must be tested for oxygen deficiency with a
			 direct-reading meter or similar instrument, capable of collection and immediate
			 analysis of data samples without the need for off-site evaluation. If
			 continuous forced air ventilation is provided, testing is not required provided
			 that the procedures used ensure that employees are not exposed to the hazards
			 posed by oxygen deficiency.
(10)
			 Testing for flammable gases and vapors. Before an employee enters an enclosed
			 space, the internal atmosphere must be tested for flammable gases and vapors
			 with a direct-reading meter or similar instrument capable of collection and
			 immediate analysis of data samples without the need for off-site evaluation.
			 This test must be performed after the oxygen testing and ventilation required
			 by subsection (9) of this section demonstrate that there is sufficient oxygen
			 to ensure the accuracy of the test for flammability.
(11) Ventilation and monitoring for flammable
			 gases or vapors. If flammable gases or vapors are detected or if an oxygen
			 deficiency is found, forced air ventilation must be used to maintain oxygen at
			 a safe level and to prevent a hazardous concentration of flammable gases and
			 vapors from accumulating. A continuous monitoring program to ensure that no
			 increase in flammable gas or vapor concentration above safe levels occurs may
			 be followed in lieu of ventilation if flammable gases or vapors are initially
			 detected at safe levels.
Note:
See the definition of hazardous atmosphere for guidance in
						determining whether a specific concentration of a substance is hazardous.
(12)
			 Specific ventilation requirements. If continuous forced air ventilation is
			 used, it must begin before entry is made and must be maintained long enough for
			 the employer to be able to demonstrate that a safe atmosphere exists before
			 employees are allowed to enter the work area. The forced air ventilation must
			 be so directed as to ventilate the immediate area where employees are present
			 within the enclosed space and must continue until all employees leave the
			 enclosed space.
(13) Air supply.
			 The air supply for the continuous forced air ventilation must be from a clean
			 source and must not increase the hazards in the enclosed space.
(14) Open flames. If open flames are used in
			 enclosed spaces, a test for flammable gases and vapors must be made immediately
			 before the open flame device is used and at least once per hour while the
			 device is used in the space. Testing must be conducted more frequently if
			 conditions present in the enclosed space indicate that once per hour is
			 insufficient to detect hazardous accumulations of flammable gases or vapors.
Note:
See the definition of hazardous atmosphere for guidance in
						determining whether a specific concentration of a substance is hazardous.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				  49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050 and
				  [49.17].060. 98-07-009, § 296-45-205, filed 3/6/98, effective
				  5/6/98.