Important:
Identify and evaluate the hazards of permit-required confined spaces and the work performed, to assist you in developing your entry program and entry procedures.
(1) You must develop a written program, before employees enter confined spaces, that describes the means, procedures, and practices you use for the safe entry of permit-required confined spaces as required by this chapter. Include the following:
(a) Documentation of permit entry procedures.1
(b) Designation of employees that have active roles, including; attendants, competent persons, entrants, entry supervisors, rescuers, program administrator, or those who test or monitor the atmosphere in a permit-required space.
(c) Identification of each designated employee's duties.
(d) Training employees on their designated roles.
(e) How to identify and evaluate hazards.
(f) Use and maintenance of equipment.
(g) How to prevent unauthorized entry.
(h) How to coordinate entry with another employer.
(i) How to rescue entrants.
(j) If you intend to enter using alternative methods for entry, the procedures must address all measures used before entry to isolate and eliminate hazards from the space and control potential atmospheric hazards.
(i) Identify the entry supervisor who authorizes the use of the alternative methods and has the responsibility for ensuring safe entry conditions.
(ii) The hazards of the space.
(iii) The methods used to eliminate hazards including verification.
(iv) The methods used to ensure that the hazards are eliminated.
(v) The methods used to test and monitor the atmosphere within the space, where applicable, for all atmospheric hazards.
(vi) The methods used to determine if unsafe conditions arise before or during entry.
(vii) The criteria and conditions for evacuating the space during entry (like monitoring and test data).
(viii) Methods for training employees in these procedures.
(ix) The methods used to ensure employees follow these procedures.
(x) Documentation required. For examples of documentation, see Appendix J Alternative Method Documentation by visiting the labor and industries website at http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/rules/chapter/809/.
(2) You must consult with affected employees and their authorized representatives when developing and implementing all aspects of your program.
(3) You must make the written program available to employees and their authorized representatives.
(4) You must update your written program as necessary when you have identified deficiencies. Revise your program and entry procedures before allowing subsequent entries.
(5) You must designate a confined space program administrator who has overall responsibility for your program and has sufficient training or experience with permit-required confined space entry to oversee program development, coordinate implementation, and conduct required evaluations of program effectiveness outlined in WAC
296-809-50006.
Note: | 1 Examples of safe work procedures include. but are not limited to: Communication, hazard identification, monitoring and testing, energy control (lockout), ventilation (purging, flushing, use of local exhaust), inerting, engulfment control, equipment use, equipment maintenance, coordination with another employer, emergency evacuation, rescue, and hazard elimination procedures. |
| If you have multiple spaces assigned to one attendant, include the procedures necessary to enable the attendant to fulfill their required responsibilities and respond to an emergency. See WAC 296-809-50010, Table 2. |