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Permit-Required Confined Spaces
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute

Infrared inspections performed in commercial and industrial settings may require entry into confined spaces in order to inspect equipment. In this Tip, we cover the basics for working safely in confined spaces.

According to OSHA, “A confined space has limited openings for entry or exit, is large enough for entering and working, and is not designed for continuous worker occupancy. Confined spaces include underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, underground utility vaults and pipelines.

Permit-required confined spaces are confined spaces that:

• May contain a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphere
• May contain a material which can engulf an entrant
• May contain walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward and taper into a smaller area which could trap or asphyxiate an entrant
• May contain other serious physical hazards such as unguarded machines or exposed live wires
• Must be defined by the employer who must inform exposed employees of the existence and location of such spaces and their hazards

What to do:

• Do not enter permit-required confined spaces without being trained and without having a permit to enter
• Review, understand and follow employer’s procedures before entering permit-required confined spaces and know how and when to exit
• Before entry, identify any physical hazards
• Before and during entry, test and monitor for explosive hazards as necessary
• Use employer’s fall protection, rescue, air monitoring, ventilation, lighting and communication equipment according to entry procedures

Lastly, maintain contact at all times with a trained attendant either visually, via phone, or by two-way radio. This monitoring system enables the attendant and entry supervisor to order you to evacuate and to alert appropriately trained rescue personnel to rescue entrants when needed.”

Thermographer safety is one of the many topics covered in the Infraspection Institute Level I Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course. For more information including course locations and dates, visit Infraspection Institute or call us at 609-239-4788.

For more complete information on workplace safety, visit the OSHA website.

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