Permit-Required Confined Space Program
1. 0 Policy
SUNY Geneseo is committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for our faculty, staff and students. In pursuit of this endeavor, the following written program is in place to first identify any Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) and to eliminate or control hazards associated with PRCS operations. This program is in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard, Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations 1910.146, as administered by the Public Employees Safety and Health Administration (PESH) of New York State.
2.0 Responsibilities
2.1 Overall Program Responsibilities
The PRCS committee is responsible for the overall implementation and maintenance of any written program or certification concerning the requirements of the Permit-Required Confined Space Standard at SUNY Geneseo.
The members of the PRCS committee include:
Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)
Assistant Director of Facilities Services
Supervisor of Academic and Residence Hall Zones
Supervisor of Core Shops
Associate Director of Facilities Services
Director of Telecommunications
Heating Plant Stationary Engineer 3
2.2 Permit-Required Confined Space Evaluation
The PRCS committee has determined that PRCS do exist on the SUNY Geneseo campus and a PRCS program is required. It is the responsibility of the all employees to identify possible PRCS not included in the program evaluations to the EHS. Appendix A lists the PRCS identified in the program evaluations.
A Confined Space is (must be all three)
- large enough and designed so that an employee can enter and perform work
- has limited openings
- is not intended to continuous employee occupancy
A PRCS contains (one of the following):
- could contain a hazardous atmosphere
1. oxygen deficiency (less than 19.5% or more than 23.5%)
2. toxic gas
3. flammable or explosive gas
- a material that has the potential to engulf an entrant
- sloping floor or inwardly converging walls
- any other recognized serious safety or health hazard
1. electrical
2. mechanical
3. thermal
4. water
2.3 Training
EHS will provide training for all employees involved in PRCS entry. Supervisors must identify new employees to the EHS for inclusion in this training, and are required to verify that all personnel have been trained in PRCS Entry prior to becoming involved in such entry.
2.4 Initial Contact for Rescue Services
PRCS rescue on the SUNY Geneseo campus will be a combined effort of SUNY Geneseo employees and University Police personnel. University Police will be notified of PRCS entry by the Entry Supervisor prior to initiating entry that emergency services may be necessary. University Police should be informed as to the location of the PRCS and types of hazards that my be encountered within the PRCS.
2.5 Equipment
The Director of Facilities Services will ensure that all equipment needed for safe entry into any PRCS is available. Supervisors are required to verify that all necessary equipment is in working order prior to initiating any use.
3.0 Permit Required Confined Space Identification
The PRCS committee has evaluated the workplace and has identified the PRCS identified in Appendix A. Appendix A also lists the hazards identified by each of the PRCS. It is the responsibility of every employee of SUNY Geneseo to bring to the attention of a PRCS committee member, the existence of unmarked Confined Spaces.
4.0 Prevention of Unauthorized Entry
The following methods will be used at SUNY Geneseo to prevent unauthorized entry into PRCS:
Safe entry procedures have been developed for each PRCS at SUNY Geneseo. These are to be followed to perform entry procedure in a safe manner:
6.0 Alternate Procedures
The PRCS committee did not identify any PRCS for which a hazardous atmosphere is the only hazard. As such, Alternate Procedures are not applicable to SUNY Geneseo.
7.0 Reclassifying PRCS to Non-PRCS
PRCS may be reclassified as Non-PRCS when no actual or potential hazardous atmosphere exists within the space and all other hazards are eliminated without entry into the space.
Verification that all hazards within the PRCS have been eliminated must occur for reclassification. This can be accomplished by completing the required sections of the permit. If entry is required to eliminate or verify the elimination of hazards, that entry must be completed under PRCS procedures.
Employees entering a PRCS reclassified to a Non-PRCS must have a means of remote communication.
8.0 Personnel, Duties, and Training for PRCS Entry Operations
PRCS entry under the PRCS program requires the following team:
Authorized Entrant
Attendant
Entry Supervisor
Rescue Personnel (trained team member and University Police)
It is the responsibility of the assigning Department Supervisors (Director of Telecommunications, Director of CIT, appropriate Facilities Services supervisor, etc.) to ensure that personnel are assigned tasks for which they are trained and qualified.
9.0 Host Employer’s Responsibilities with Contractors
The Office of Facilities Planning will provide off-site Contractors with the potential to encounter PRCS on the SUNY Geneseo campus notice that OSHA rules are applicable to entry into confined spaces. The Directors of Telecommunications and Computer Services must convey this information to all Contractors performing work for their departments. All atmospheric readings and copies of Contractor Confined Space Entry Permits must be delivered to the EHS within two weeks of collection.
Any contractors found to be in PRCS without employing the required procedures are to be notified that a report of their activities will be filed with the appropriate OSHA office if not corrected immediately.
10.0 Rescue and Emergency Services
The precautions and procedures outlined in our written PRCS Program are designed to ensure the safety of SUNY Geneseo employees while working in PRCS. Under no circumstances are SUNY Geneseo employees to enter a PRCS where hazards have not been eliminated or effectively controlled.
Additionally, it is recognize that unexpected situations may arise that prevent entrants from self-rescue. In such situations, rescue and emergency response will be a combined effort of trained PRCS entry personnel and University Police personnel. The following procedures will be followed in such situations:
Attendant will contact University Police (5651 or 5222) or by radio.
Rescue personnel will retrieve injured or unresponsive personnel.
University Police will provide emergency first aid assistance and summon ambulance, if required.
At no time will University Police or other rescue personnel not trained in PRCS entry or not equipped with proper PPE or respiratory protection (if required) be permitted to enter the PRCS.
11.0 Training
SUNY Geneseo employees will receive the following types of training specific to their duties and potential for entry into PRCS.
Awareness Training
Training for Reclassification of PRCS
Both PRCS to Non-PRCS and PRCS to Non-PRCS
PRCS Entry Procedures
Emergency Procedures
12.0 Permit-Required Confined Space Program Review
The PRCS Committee will conduct a review of the SUNY Geneseo PRCS program at least annually (May of each year) using canceled entry permits to identify any program deficiencies or improvements. Any corrective measures will be documented by a revision of the program. Employees will be trained on any changes. Additionally, employees who note any deficiencies or identify possible program improvements should contact their supervisor.
Confined Space Entry Program
Appendix A
Heating Plant boilers Limited Egress
Mechanical
Water Tanks Limited Egress
Mechanical
Chemical (cleaning chemicals, molds, spores)
Visual
Manholes (all types) Limited Egress
Mechanical
Sanitary - Engulfment, Explosive
Steam - Engulfment, High Temp
Electrical - Shock
Chemical (toxics, O2 deficiency)
Visual
Elevator Shafts and Pits Limited Egress
Mechanical (Crushing, Electrical)
Chemical (particulates, O2 deficiency)
Air Handlers that CAN be bodily entered
Limited Egress
Mechanical (physical and electrical)
Chemical (particulates, toxics in Greene and Bailey)
Visual
Appendix B
General Responsibilities for PRCS Entry Personal
Authorized Entrant:
Responsibilities and Requirements prior to Entry:
know the potential hazards associated with entry into the specific PRCS
have the ability and knowledge to recognize signs or symptoms of exposure
comprehend the consequences of exposure to the hazards
know how to operate all equipment necessary for entry operations
Responsibilities during Entry Procedures
communicate with the attendant as to status and any need for evacuation alert the attendant of any warning sign or symptom of exposure
must exit when the attendant or other authorized entrant indicates evacuation is necessary or under any of the following conditions:
- a warning sign or symptom of exposure is recognized
- a prohibited condition is detected
- an evacuation alarm is activated
Attendant:
Responsibilities and Requirements prior to Entry
know the potential hazards associated with entry into the specific PRCS
be aware of possible behavioral effects of atmospheric hazards (see MSDS)
know emergency response procedures
Responsibilities during Entry Procedures - the attendant should not be engaged in any activities which would interfere with his or her ability to perform the requirements listed below.
keep unauthorized personnel out of area
maintain an accurate count of authorized entrants within a PRCS
remain outside the PRCS until all entrants have evacuated the PRCS or until relieved by another authorized attendant.
maintain communication with the authorized entrants to monitor status
monitor activities inside and outside PRCS to determine if it is safe for entrants to remain in PRCS or if evacuation is warranted
order an evacuation if:
- a prohibited condition is detected
- a behavioral manifestation of exposure by an authorized entrant
- an outside condition occurs that could endanger the authorized entrants
- ability to perform duties of attendant is compromised
summon rescue and emergency response, if needed.
An authorized attendant may initiate rescue only if properly trained and only after being relieved by another authorized attendant.
All Heating Plant, Zone and Core Shop personnel are to be trained as PRECS entrants and attendants.
Entry Supervisor - has overall accountability for PRCS entry procedure adherence
Responsibilities and Requirements prior to Entry:
ensure Entry Team is trained for the specific PRCS entry and the specific tasks associated with PRCS
know the potential hazards associated with entry into the specific PRCS
verify that appropriate entries have been made on the permit, all required test have been performed and results recorded, and that all procedures and equipment are in place prior to endorsing the permit
verify that rescue personnel and equipment are in place and that University Police has been notified of the PRCS entry
Responsibilities during Entry Procedures
terminate entry and cancel permit when:
entry operation is completed
a prohibited condition arises
verify compliance with permit conditions and PRCS Program
Maintenance Supervisors I and II, with direct supervisory responsibilities, and Plant Utilities Engineer II and III are to be trained as Entry Supervisors.
PRCS Rescue and Emergency Response
Rescue within PRCS will be accomplished by SUNY Geneseo PRCS Team members. It is always preferable that remote rescue be facilitated. Annual practices of PRCS rescue must be performed by each team. PRCS entry for rescue should be considered only as a last resort. Each team will have an individual designated for rescue. This individual must have received, at a minimum, the same training as the authorized entrants. Emergency response personnel (University Police and/or Emergency Ambulance Squad) will provide emergency first aid, if warranted.