ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines a confined space as an area that meets all three of the following conditions, which are outlined in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.146(b):
• 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
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy
According to OSHA, a permit-required confined space meets all the above criteria and also has one or more of the following characteristics:
• Contains or could contain a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphere
• Contains material that has the potential for engulfing the entrant
• Has or could have inwardly converging walls that could trap or asphyxiate an entrant
• Contains or could contain other serious physical hazards such as unguarded machines or exposed live wires
• Has or could have any other recognized safety or health hazards
What are some examples of permit-required confined spaces at ANAD?
Areas such as manholes, storage tanks, sewers, tunnels, vaults and underneath blast/spray booths are examples of confined spaces.
Who is authorized to enter permit required confined spaces?
The Directorate of Public Works and the Directorate of Production both have employees which perform tasks in confined spaces. ANAD employees who enter these spaces are trained annually about the dangers they might face, procedures for safe entry and work, and required protective gear.
What are some atmosphere hazards in confined spaces?
Oxygen-deficient atmospheres do not have enough oxygen in the space for us to breathe.
Normal air is made up of 20.5 percent oxygen, compared to less than 19.5 percent in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
Ten percent oxygen will cause unconsciousness and below eight percent can rapidly cause death.
Oxygen-enriched atmospheres have too much oxygen. Air with over 23.5 percent oxygen presents a combustible hazard. If an ignition source is introduced in this atmosphere, clothing, hair and other flammable materials will burn rapidly and violently.
Flammable atmospheres are caused by a mixture of dusts, gases or vapors.
Toxic gases and vapors can be introduced from a number of sources.
Carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and methane are three of the most common and deadly gases that are naturally produced in confined spaces.
Want more information?
Contact the Safety Office at Ext. 7541 or refer to ANADR 385-1, Chapter 10. Additional information can be found in OSHA's permit required confined spaces standard, 29 CFR 1910.146, which is available online.
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