(OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Compliant)
Provider: OpsIntegrity^TM

Purpose:

The purpose of this training is to provide employees and employers with a clear understanding of OSHA’s Confined Space standard (29 CFR 1910.146), which outlines procedures and responsibilities for safe entry into permit-required confined spaces. This course emphasizes hazard recognition, entry procedures, rescue requirements, and communication protocols to prevent injury or death.

This course is designed as an awareness-level training program only. It is intended to introduce the trainee to the principles, hazards, and procedures associated with permit-required confined spaces. It does not certify or qualify any employee to enter a confined space as an authorized entrant, nor to serve as an attendant, supervisor, or rescue personnel. Employees assigned to these roles must complete additional classroom and in-person practical training before performing confined space work. Employers are responsible for providing and documenting this advanced training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146.

Introduction

A confined space is more than just a tight or enclosed area. According to OSHA, a confined space:

• Is large enough for a person to enter and perform work,
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and
• Is not designed for continuous occupancy.

Many confined spaces also have additional hazards, such as atmospheric conditions, engulfment risks, or dangerous configurations that can trap workers. These hazards elevate a confined space to a “permit-required confined space,” which triggers specific regulatory protections.

This training module addresses:

• The difference between non-permit and permit-required confined spaces,
• The key responsibilities of workers and employers,
• Entry and rescue procedures,
• Hazard mitigation, and
• Multi-employer worksite considerations.

Failing to properly identify and control confined space hazards can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. It is essential that all workers on a job site, regardless of their assigned task, understand the risks associated with confined spaces and how to respond appropriately.

Safety Policy Statement

Our Most Important Objective: A Safe and Healthful Workplace

At OpsIntegrity, we believe that maintaining a safe and healthful workplace is the highest priority for every employer and employee. This principle forms the foundation of all training modules and safety resources provided through the OpsIntegrity system.

Employers are responsible for:

• Providing a workplace free from recognized hazards.
• Complying with OSHA standards and other applicable safety regulations.
• Promoting continuous improvement in safety practices.
• Empowering workers to report safety concerns without fear of retaliation.

Employees are responsible for:

• Following safety procedures and practices at all times.
• Reporting safety concerns, hazards, or near misses.
• Actively supporting the safety culture of their workplace.

Through OpsIntegrity’s shared resources, training, and compliance tools, employers and employees work together to identify risks, prevent injuries, and maintain a strong commitment to safety excellence.

Safety is not just a policy. It is a shared responsibility and a daily practice.

Definitions and Types of Confined Spaces

A confined space is defined by OSHA as any space that:

• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work,
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Examples of confined spaces include tanks, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, sewers, and pits. These spaces often have physical and atmospheric hazards that require special entry procedures.

Permit-required confined spaces (PRCS) are confined spaces that present one or more additional hazards. These include:

• Hazardous atmospheric conditions (toxic, flammable, or oxygen-deficient/enriched),
• Materials that could engulf an entrant,
• Internal configurations that could trap or asphyxiate an entrant, or
• Any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Proper classification of confined spaces is the first step in ensuring the right controls are in place before entry.

Entry Permit System

The entry permit system is designed to ensure that all hazards in a permit-required confined space are identified, evaluated, and mitigated before entry. A written permit must be completed prior to entry and posted at the entry point.

The entry permit must include:

• Identification of the space,
• Purpose of entry and the date and duration,
• Names of authorized entrants, attendants, and supervisors,
• Identification of hazards and protective measures taken,
• Atmospheric test results (initial and ongoing),
• Required PPE and equipment,
• Communication methods to be used,
• Rescue and emergency services to be on standby, and
• Authorization signature from the entry supervisor.

Permits are valid only for the duration and scope of the work described. They must be canceled if conditions change or the work ends. A canceled permit must be kept on file for review and continuous improvement.

There are two confined space entry permits available in the OpsIntegrity Permits section. The first is the Non-Permit Required Confined Space Entry Permit, which must be completed prior to any and all entries, to assess whether the space meets the criteria of a permit-required confined space. If it is determined that the space does qualify as permit-required space, the Permit-Required Confined Space Entry Permit must then be completed and followed. However, if the space is determined not to be a permit-required space, the completed Non-Permit Required Entry Permit is still required to be posted at the point of entry to document the hazard assessment and serve as verification of compliance.

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Roles and Responsibilities

Safe confined space entry depends on clear responsibilities assigned to each member of the entry team:

• Entrants must understand the hazards of the space, wear appropriate PPE, maintain communication with the attendant, and exit the space immediately upon command or if a warning sign is detected.
• Attendants are stationed outside the space to monitor the entrant’s status, maintain constant communication, prevent unauthorized access, and initiate emergency procedures if needed.
• Entry Supervisors are responsible for verifying that proper procedures are followed, permits are issued, and all safety precautions are in place before entry begins. They must also cancel the permit if unsafe conditions arise.
• Rescue Personnel must be trained, equipped, and prepared for confined space rescue. Non-entry rescue is preferred using retrieval systems, but entry rescue must be available when retrieval is not feasible.

Atmospheric Hazards and Monitoring

Atmospheric hazards are among the most serious and immediate threats to life and health in confined spaces. These hazards are often invisible, odorless, and fast-acting—making testing and monitoring essential to safe entry and continued work. Even a single breath of oxygen-deficient or toxic air can incapacitate a worker, especially in tight or poorly ventilated environments.

Types of Atmospheric Hazards

1. Oxygen Deficiency (<19.5%):
   The most immediate risk. Normal air contains approximately 20.9% oxygen. Levels below 19.5% impair judgment and muscle control; levels below 16% can cause unconsciousness and death within minutes.
2. Oxygen Enrichment (>23.5%):
   An enriched oxygen atmosphere significantly increases the flammability of materials and vapors, including clothing and tools that normally wouldn’t ignite easily.
3. Flammable or Explosive Gases and Vapors:
   Examples include methane, propane, acetylene, and gasoline vapors. The risk of explosion is highest when concentrations are between the lower and upper explosive limits (LEL/UEL). Most flammable gases become explosive between 10–20% LEL.
4. Toxic Gases:
   Common examples include:

• Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S): A highly toxic gas with a rotten egg smell, dangerous even at low concentrations. Can cause loss of smell at higher concentrations, masking further exposure.
• Carbon monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the body’s ability to carry oxygen. Extremely dangerous and lethal in confined spaces.

Atmospheric Testing Procedures
Before entry into any confined space, atmospheric testing must be conducted using a calibrated, direct-reading instrument capable of detecting oxygen, flammables, and toxic gases.

The required sequence for testing is:

1. Oxygen content – because both flammable and toxic sensor readings can be affected by oxygen levels.
2. Flammable gases and vapors – typically using an LEL sensor.
3. Toxic air contaminants – based on known or suspected space contents.

All instruments must be:

Calibrated regularly according to manufacturer recommendations.
Bump-tested before use to ensure sensor response.
Used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable safety policy.

If the atmosphere is unsafe at any step, entry is prohibited until conditions are corrected and retested.

Continuous Monitoring and Ventilation

Hazardous conditions can change rapidly inside a confined space, especially when welding, cutting, spraying, or chemical mixing occurs. In these cases, continuous monitoring is required throughout the entry.

Mechanical ventilation may be used to:

• Dilute contaminants,
• Supply fresh air,
• Control temperature or humidity.

However, ventilation must never be used as a substitute for atmospheric testing. Even with ventilation, re-testing is required after any work interruption or change in space conditions.

Documentation and Communication

All test results must be:

• Recorded on the confined space entry permit, including time, readings, and person performing the tests.
• Visible and accessible to all authorized entrants before and during entry.
• Shared with attendants and supervisors as part of the pre-entry briefing.

If hazardous conditions develop or readings exceed safe levels:

The entrant must immediately exit,
The attendant must be alerted, and
The entry supervisor must reassess the space and entry plan.

Special Considerations

• Spaces adjacent to sewers, tanks, or process lines are especially prone to atmospheric hazards.
• Atmospheric hazards may be present without prior use of chemicals due to decay, rusting, microbial action, or residual gases.
• Certain contaminants can settle at the bottom of the space (heavier-than-air gases like H₂S) or rise to the top (lighter gases like methane), so testing must be done at multiple levels: top, middle, and bottom.

Hazard Controls

Effective hazard control is essential to protect workers entering or working around confined spaces. OSHA’s confined space standard requires that all known and potential hazards be identified and mitigated before entry and continuously controlled throughout the duration of work. Control methods must be documented in the permit and verified before the permit is authorized.

1. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

Before entering a confined space, all hazardous energy sources must be properly isolated and rendered inoperative. This includes:

• Electrical circuits
• Mechanical drives or moving parts
• Hydraulic or pneumatic lines
• Thermal sources
• Stored energy (e.g., tensioned springs or pressurized tanks)

LOTO procedures ensure that unexpected startup or release of energy does not occur while workers are inside the space. Devices must be applied by authorized personnel, and each worker entering the space must attach their personal lock or tag, ensuring no equipment can be re-energized until every lock is removed.

2. Ventilation

Proper ventilation is often necessary to:

• Remove or dilute hazardous atmospheres,
• Supply fresh air to maintain oxygen levels, and
• Control heat, humidity, or other environmental discomforts.

Mechanical ventilation, such as axial blowers with ducting, must be sized and placed appropriately to ensure full air exchange, especially in large or irregularly shaped spaces. Ventilation must be confirmed effective by atmospheric testing—it is not a substitute for testing and monitoring.

Ventilation may be continuous or intermittent, depending on the presence and potential generation of hazards during the work process. If the ventilation system fails or becomes disconnected, entry must be paused and conditions reassessed.

3. Barriers and Signage

To prevent accidental or unauthorized entry into a confined space, employers must:

• Erect physical barriers such as cones, chains, gates, or tape around the entry point.
• Post visible and durable signage such as “DANGER – CONFINED SPACE – ENTRY BY PERMIT ONLY.”

These measures serve both to protect personnel and alert passersby to the dangers of the space.

Additionally, all tools, materials, and equipment brought into the space should be inspected to prevent the introduction of new hazards (e.g., fuel-burning engines, sparking tools in flammable environments).

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is considered a last line of defense and is required when hazards cannot be fully eliminated through engineering or administrative controls.

Confined space entrants may be required to use:

• Respiratory protection (air-purifying or supplied-air respirators depending on conditions),
• Fall protection (full-body harness with lifeline),
• Chemical-resistant gloves or suits, and
• Eye, face, or hearing protection based on the task.

PPE must be inspected before use, worn correctly, and maintained in serviceable condition. If respirators are used, proper medical clearance, fit testing, and training are required in compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (1910.134).

5. Retrieval Systems and Rescue Access

Every permit-required confined space entry must include a rescue plan, and OSHA requires that rescue be available without delay.

Whenever feasible, a non-entry rescue system should be used. This includes:

• A tripod or davit arm anchored above the entry point,
• A self-retracting lifeline or winch attached to the entrant’s harness,
• Proper training for attendants and supervisors in retrieval techniques.

If non-entry rescue is not feasible due to space configuration or obstruction, employers must coordinate with trained and equipped entry rescue teams, such as internal personnel or contracted services.

Practice drills and availability of rescue personnel are not optional—they are essential components of the control strategy.

Employer Responsibilities for Hazard Controls

Employers must ensure that:

• All control measures are documented, installed, and functional before entry,
• Equipment is maintained and inspected regularly,
• Controls are adapted to the specific hazards of each confined space,
• Personnel understand and comply with all control procedures, and
• All failures or deviations are corrected before work resumes.

Hazard controls are not static—they must be monitored, evaluated, and updated as conditions change during entry or over the course of the project.

Entry and Exit Procedures

Strict entry and exit procedures are essential to the safety of all personnel involved in confined space operations. These steps ensure that confined space entry is controlled, coordinated, and compliant with OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard (29 CFR 1910.146). Each phase—before entry, during entry, and after exit—requires specific actions to minimize the risk of injury or death.

Before Entry: Pre-Entry Preparation

Prior to any entry into a confined space, the following must be completed:

1. Complete and Review the Entry Permit:
   A valid confined space entry permit must be completed and signed by the Entry Supervisor. The permit should list all identified hazards, control measures, authorized personnel, testing results, emergency procedures, and rescue provisions. It must be posted at the entry point and reviewed by all members of the entry team before beginning work.
2. Verify Atmospheric Testing Results:
   Atmospheric conditions must be tested using a calibrated direct-reading instrument. Results must confirm that the space is safe for entry. Testing should include oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic contaminants. If conditions are unsafe, entry must not proceed until corrective measures are taken.
3. Ensure Control Measures and PPE Are in Place:
   All hazard controls must be implemented before entry begins. This includes lockout/tagout, ventilation, barriers, signage, PPE distribution, and rescue system setup. Entrants must be fitted with required PPE and lifelines, and all personnel must confirm understanding of hazard controls and limitations.
4. Conduct a Team Briefing:
   A pre-entry briefing must be held to review:

• Roles and responsibilities of each participant,
• Communication protocols,
• Hazards and control strategies,
• Rescue and evacuation plans,
• Location of safety equipment and first aid.

No entry should occur unless all team members clearly understand the plan and procedures.

During Entry: Monitoring and Communication

1. Maintain Continuous Communication:
   Entrants and attendants must maintain uninterrupted communication. This may be verbal, radio-based, or through tugs on a retrieval line. Communication ensures that the entrant can receive updates, request assistance, or be alerted to hazards without delay.
2. Monitor Atmospheric Conditions Continuously:
   When atmospheric hazards may arise or evolve, continuous monitoring is required. Readings should be logged, and any deviation from safe parameters must trigger immediate evacuation.
3. Stop Work if Unsafe Conditions Are Detected:
   Entrants must exit the space immediately if:

• They experience symptoms of exposure,
• Conditions deviate from safe levels,
• There is a failure in ventilation, communication, or PPE,
• The attendant or entry supervisor orders evacuation.

Work may resume only after the hazard is corrected, conditions retested, and the permit reevaluated or reissued as necessary.

Upon Exit: Post-Entry Actions

Sign Out of the Permit Log:
All authorized entrants must sign out when exiting the space, whether temporarily or permanently. This ensures accurate tracking of personnel and confirms that no one is left behind.
Decontaminate as Needed:
If the confined space contained hazardous substances or contaminants, entrants must undergo decontamination before leaving the work zone. This prevents cross-contamination and protects other workers or the surrounding environment.
Cancel the Permit and Conduct a Review:
Once work is complete or conditions require cessation of entry, the Entry Supervisor must cancel the permit. A post-entry review should be conducted to document any issues encountered, evaluate the effectiveness of controls and procedures, and identify opportunities for improvement. Canceled permits must be retained as required by the employer’s program.

Summary of Importance
Strict adherence to entry and exit procedures is not just administrative—it is life-saving. These protocols:

• Ensure proper hazard control,
• Prevent miscommunication and confusion,
• Allow for timely intervention during emergencies, and
• Reinforce a workplace culture rooted in accountability and safety.

Every step taken before, during, and after confined space entry serves a critical purpose in protecting lives. Deviation from these procedures is never acceptable and must be addressed immediately.

Supplemental Training for Entrants, Attendants, and Entry Supervisors

While awareness-level training provides a strong foundation, OSHA requires that individuals who are assigned specific roles in confined space entry operations receive supplemental, role-specific training. These roles include Entrants, Attendants, and Entry Supervisors. The following section provides detailed training expectations and core content for each of these essential roles.

Attendant Training

Attendants are stationed outside the confined space and serve as the critical safety link for monitoring the entry. Their training must include:

• Understanding the hazards associated with confined spaces and the ability to recognize signs of hazardous exposure in entrants.
• Mastery of communication methods to maintain contact with entrants at all times.
• Procedures to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the space.
• The ability to maintain an accurate count and identification of all entrants.
• Recognizing situations that require evacuation and issuing the order to evacuate immediately.
• Procedures for summoning rescue or emergency services promptly and effectively.
• Understanding and executing non-entry rescue procedures if equipped and trained.

Attendants must be vigilant and have no other duties that would interfere with their monitoring responsibilities. Their ability to act quickly and correctly can be the difference between life and death.

Entry Supervisor Training

Entry Supervisors are responsible for the overall coordination and authorization of confined space entry. Their training must include:

• Full understanding of all hazards associated with the space and required control measures.
• Verification that all required tests have been conducted and results are acceptable.
• Ensuring all procedures and equipment specified in the permit are in place before entry.
• Ensuring that entrants and attendants are properly trained and equipped.
• Confirming that rescue services are available and on standby as required.
• Canceling or suspending entry operations if conditions become unsafe or the scope of work changes.
• Reviewing completed permits and debriefing the team after entry for lessons learned.

Supervisors must also know how to assess risk dynamically, understand permit documentation requirements, and communicate clearly with all involved personnel. They are responsible for ensuring full compliance with OSHA and company policy.

All individuals assigned to these roles must complete hands-on training and be evaluated for competence before performing duties in actual confined space entry operations.

Multi-Employer Worksite Considerations

Many confined space operations occur on complex worksites where multiple employers, contractors, and trades are working simultaneously. While each employer has a legal duty to provide a safe and healthful workplace for their employees, this shared environment means that hazards may be introduced by others outside of your control. As a worker, this makes your own awareness, vigilance, and willingness to speak up critical to maintaining a safe work environment.

Your Responsibility as a Worker

Every worker has the right—and the responsibility—to protect themselves and their coworkers. You are expected to:

• Understand and follow confined space safety procedures.
• Remain aware of your surroundings and any hazards introduced by other trades or contractors.
• Speak up immediately if you see an unsafe condition, whether caused by your employer or another.
• Refuse to enter or work in or around a confined space that has not been properly permitted, tested, or secured.

OSHA does not require any worker to perform a task or remain in a space they reasonably believe to be unsafe. You have the right to stop work and report any condition that places yourself or others at risk—even if the hazard originates from another employer.

Your Employer’s Duty

Your employer is required by law to:

• Provide training on confined space hazards and procedures,
• Ensure appropriate permits, hazard controls, PPE, and rescue plans are in place,
• Protect you from hazards introduced by other employers through oversight and coordination, and
• Remove you from dangerous conditions until they are resolved.

However, your employer cannot control everything on a multi-employer site. That's why your personal diligence and communication are so important.

Other Employers May Introduce Hazards

Contractors or subcontractors working near or in a confined space may:

• Operate equipment that generates flammable or toxic vapors,
• Fail to follow lockout/tagout procedures,
• Introduce incompatible chemicals or processes,
• Create traffic, fall, or noise hazards that affect the safety of the entry area.

These uncontrolled hazards can endanger everyone on site, including you. That’s why your situational awareness is critical. Pay attention to what others are doing, not just your own task. If you see another contractor violating safety protocols or creating a hazard, report it immediately to your supervisor, site safety officer, or employer representative.

Communication Is Critical

Safe confined space work requires clear, ongoing communication between:

• You and your supervisor,
• Entry and host employers,
• Attendants and entrants,
• Workers and site safety staff.

Make sure you:

• Participate in pre-job briefings and safety meetings.
• Ask questions if procedures are unclear.
• Inform your supervisor immediately if you witness any unsafe acts or conditions, even from another employer.
• Verify that any space you are entering has been properly tested, ventilated, and permitted—even if it was done by another crew.

When in doubt, stop and verify. Your life and the lives of others depend on it.

You Are Not Alone, but You Are Accountable

On multi-employer sites, accountability is shared, but it starts with you. Take ownership of your safety. Know your surroundings. Speak up when something is wrong. No permit, schedule, or production target is more important than your life.

Remember:

You are never required to enter a space or situation that feels unsafe.
You are never required to work around careless or at-risk workers.
You are always empowered to stop work and demand a safe environment.

Safety is not just a company policy, it is a personal and professional standard. Every day. Every shift. Every site.

Reporting and Resources

Reporting unsafe conditions, near-misses, or violations is not just encouraged, it is a critical responsibility. Every employee on a job site plays a role in maintaining a safe work environment. Hazards in or around confined spaces can change rapidly, and silence puts lives at risk.

If you observe any of the following, you must report it immediately:

• Damaged or missing confined space permits
• Suspicious or abnormal atmospheric readings
• Unauthorized personnel entering a confined space
• Unsafe behaviors by other workers or contractors
• Failures in communication, ventilation, or retrieval systems
• Unfamiliar hazards not addressed in the permit

Report these conditions to:

Your direct supervisor
The site safety officer
The entry supervisor listed on the permit
Your employer's designated safety contact

OpsIntegrity Safety Portal:
Your employer uses the OpsIntegrity system to support safety reporting, permit management, training records, and emergency response tools. You can:

• Access confined space permits and safety procedures
• Submit hazard reports and near-miss documentation
• Review training records and certifications
• Locate emergency contacts and rescue plans

Take time to become familiar with the portal. Bookmark it. Know how to access it in the field. If you need help, ask your supervisor or safety representative.

Remember: If something looks wrong, speak up. If you don’t know the answer, ask. If something doesn’t feel safe, stop.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Confined spaces are dangerous and must be approached with caution, training, and proper procedures.
• Always identify whether a confined space is permit-required.
• Follow the permit system and ensure all roles (entrant, attendant, supervisor, rescue) are fulfilled.
• Monitor atmospheric conditions and communicate continuously.
• Use proper PPE and maintain an exit plan at all times.
• At multi-employer sites, clear communication and coordination are essential.
• Awareness and reporting are the keys to prevention. When in doubt, get out.

Acknowledgment of Completion

By completing this Confined Space Entry Awareness Training (29 CFR 1910.146), I acknowledge that:

• I have received training on the definition, hazards, and procedures related to confined spaces.
• I understand the responsibilities of entrants, attendants, supervisors, and rescue personnel.
• I understand that additional site-specific and hands-on training is required before actual confined space entry.
• I understand the importance of proper atmospheric testing, PPE use, and emergency planning.
• I know how to report unsafe conditions and access company resources through the OpsIntegrity™ portal.