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Confined Space Entry Procedure

Document Type: Procedure
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: February 2026
Distribute To: Applicable Trades, Superintendents, Safety Director

Purpose​

Establish procedures for safe entry into permit-required confined spaces to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.

⚠️ CRITICAL INFORMATION​

Confined Spaces Kill​

  • Hazardous atmospheres can be invisible
  • Death can occur within minutes
  • Rescue attempts cause additional deaths
  • NEVER enter without proper procedures

What is a Confined Space?​

A space that meets ALL THREE criteria:

  1. Large enough for a worker to enter and perform work
  2. Limited entry/exit - not designed for continuous occupancy
  3. Not designed for continuous occupancy

Common Confined Spaces in Construction:​

  • Manholes
  • Vaults
  • Tanks and vessels
  • Pits and sumps
  • Trenches (deep)
  • Crawl spaces
  • Pipelines
  • Storage bins
  • Boilers

Permit-Required Confined Space​

A confined space with one or more of these hazards:

  • Hazardous atmosphere (toxic, flammable, oxygen-deficient)
  • Material that could engulf entrant
  • Converging walls or sloping floor
  • Any other serious safety hazard

Roles and Responsibilities​

Entry Supervisor​

  • Authorizes entry
  • Verifies conditions are safe
  • Ensures procedures followed
  • Cancels permit if hazards arise
  • Terminates entry when complete

Attendant​

  • Remains outside space at all times
  • Monitors entrants
  • Communicates with entrants
  • Summons rescue if needed
  • Does NOT enter to attempt rescue

Entrant​

  • Follows procedures
  • Uses required equipment
  • Communicates with attendant
  • Exits immediately when ordered

Rescue Team​

  • Trained in rescue procedures
  • Equipment ready
  • Available during entry

Confined Space Entry Process​

Step 1: Identify and Evaluate​

Before Any Entry:

  • Space identified as confined space
  • Hazards evaluated
  • Permit-required determination made
  • Entry procedures determined

Step 2: Pre-Entry Preparation​

Isolate the Space:

  • Lock out/tag out all energy sources
  • Blank/blind pipelines
  • Drain liquids
  • Purge gases/vapors

Atmospheric Testing:

  • Test BEFORE entry
  • Test at multiple levels
  • Test continuously during entry

Test For (in order):

  1. Oxygen: 19.5% - 23.5%
  2. Flammable gases: < 10% LEL
  3. Toxic gases: Below PEL

Ventilation:

  • Forced air ventilation
  • Continuous during entry
  • Fresh air supply

Step 3: Entry Permit​

Complete Permit Before Entry:

  • Space identification
  • Purpose of entry
  • Date and authorized duration
  • Authorized entrants
  • Attendant(s)
  • Entry supervisor
  • Hazards present
  • Control measures
  • Atmospheric test results
  • Rescue procedures
  • Communication methods

Step 4: Entry Operations​

During Entry:

  • Attendant maintains communication
  • Continuous atmospheric monitoring
  • Ventilation operating
  • Rescue equipment ready
  • No unauthorized entry

Immediately Exit If:

  • Alarm sounds
  • Attendant orders evacuation
  • Entrant detects hazard
  • Monitoring shows unsafe atmosphere
  • Any emergency

Step 5: Permit Closeout​

When Entry Complete:

  • All entrants exited
  • Equipment removed
  • Space secured
  • Permit closed and signed
  • File permit

Confined Space Entry Permit​

================================================================
      CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT
================================================================

PERMIT #: ____________  VALID DATE: ____________

Space Location: ____________________________________________

Space Description: _________________________________________

Purpose of Entry: __________________________________________

================================================================

HAZARD ASSESSMENT:
☐ Oxygen deficiency    ☐ Oxygen enrichment
☐ Flammable atmosphere ☐ Toxic atmosphere
☐ Engulfment hazard    ☐ Configuration hazard
☐ Other: ________________________________________________

================================================================

ATMOSPHERIC TESTING (Required before and during entry)

Tester Name: ___________________  Instrument: _______________
Calibration Date: _______________

| Time | O2 % | LEL % | CO ppm | H2S ppm | Other |
|------|------|-------|--------|---------|-------|
|      |      |       |        |         |       |
|      |      |       |        |         |       |
|      |      |       |        |         |       |

Acceptable Levels:
- Oxygen: 19.5% - 23.5%
- LEL: < 10%
- CO: < 35 ppm
- H2S: < 10 ppm

================================================================

CONTROL MEASURES:
☐ Lockout/Tagout completed (see LOTO permit #______)
☐ Lines blanked/blinded
☐ Ventilation in operation
☐ Continuous monitoring
☐ Communication established
☐ Rescue equipment ready
☐ Lighting adequate

PPE REQUIRED:
☐ Hard hat           ☐ Safety glasses
☐ Gloves             ☐ Safety boots
☐ SCBA/SAR           ☐ Harness/retrieval
☐ Other: _______________

================================================================

COMMUNICATION METHOD: ☐ Voice  ☐ Radio  ☐ Hand signals

RESCUE METHOD: ☐ Non-entry  ☐ Entry (rescue team on standby)

Rescue Team/Contact: _______________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________________________

================================================================

PERSONNEL:

Entry Supervisor: ______________________  Phone: ____________

Attendant(s): _______________________________________________

Authorized Entrants:
1. ____________________________
2. ____________________________
3. ____________________________
4. ____________________________

================================================================

AUTHORIZATION

I certify that all precautions have been taken and conditions 
are acceptable for entry.

Entry Supervisor: ______________________  Date/Time: ________

================================================================

PERMIT CLOSEOUT

Entry Completed: ____________ (Time)

All entrants have exited: ☐ Yes

Space secured: ☐ Yes

Supervisor: ____________________________  Date: _____________

================================================================

Atmospheric Testing Requirements​

Testing Sequence:​

  1. Oxygen - First (instrument needs O2 to work)
  2. Combustibles - Second (LEL/explosive)
  3. Toxics - Third (specific hazards)

Testing Locations:​

  • Top of space
  • Middle of space
  • Bottom of space
  • Before entry and continuously

Acceptable Levels:​

SubstanceAcceptableAction Level
Oxygen19.5-23.5%Exit if outside
LEL< 10%Exit if ≥ 10%
CO< 35 ppmExit if exceeded
H2S< 10 ppmExit if exceeded

Rescue Requirements​

Non-Entry Rescue (Preferred)​

  • Retrieval system (harness + tripod)
  • Mechanical retrieval device
  • Attendant can retrieve without entry

Entry Rescue​

  • Only by trained rescue team
  • NEVER by untrained personnel
  • Full SCBA required
  • Communication maintained

Rescue Equipment:​

  • Tripod or davit arm
  • Mechanical winch
  • Full body harness
  • Retrieval line
  • SCBA (rescue team)
  • First aid equipment

Training Requirements​

All Personnel Involved:​

  • Confined space hazards
  • Recognition of symptoms
  • Equipment use
  • Emergency procedures

Entrants:​

  • Hazards and consequences
  • Entry procedures
  • Equipment use
  • Communication
  • Self-rescue

Attendants:​

  • Monitoring duties
  • Communication
  • When to summon help
  • Non-entry rescue
  • Never enter

Entry Supervisors:​

  • All of the above
  • Permit authorization
  • Hazard evaluation
  • Termination procedures

Rescue Team:​

  • All of the above
  • Entry rescue procedures
  • First aid/CPR
  • Rescue equipment use

Contractor Coordination​

When Multiple Employers:​

  • Host employer informs contractor of spaces
  • Contractor follows host's program or own
  • Coordinate rescue procedures
  • Debrief after entry
  • Lockout/Tagout Procedure
  • Respiratory Protection Program
  • Emergency Action Plan
  • Hot Work Permit

OSHA References​

  • 29 CFR 1926.1200-1213 (Construction Confined Spaces)
  • 29 CFR 1910.146 (General Industry reference)

Template provided by support.construction. Customize with your company information.

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