Confined spaces present unique workplace hazards, and must include ALL of the following:

• Large enough and arranged so an employee could fully enter the space and work.
• Has limited or restricted entry or exit. Examples of spaces with limited or restricted entry are tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, excavations, pits, and utility tunnels.
• Not primarily designed for continuous human occupancy.

A space has limited or restricted means of entry or exit if an entrant’s ability to escape in an emergency would be hindered, limitations include small doors or portals, ladders, and trip hazards, including piping and equipment. A space is not designed for continuous human occupancy based upon building or fire code limitations, or when the presence of equipment or processes in the space are not consistent with continual occupation.

Permit Required Confined Spaces include those listed above, AND any other serious safety or health hazard that could:

• Impair an entrant’s ability to self-rescue, or
• Result in a situation presenting an immediate danger to life or health.

Permit required confined spaces include those with inwardly sloping walls that could inhibit an entrant’s ability to self rescue. Confined spaces with hazardous atmospheres such as those with low oxygen or containing flammable or toxic gases, and confined spaces with equipment hazards, hazardous energy or the potential for engulfment by liquids or solids, all present an immediate danger to life or health. WSU PERSONNEL DO NOT ENTER PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES.

WSU personnel that must enter a confined space to perform work may only do so after applying alternative methods to evaluate hazards, control hazardous atmospheres, and eliminate physical hazards. The alternate entry plan MUST be documented prior to entry, EH&S provides an example plan in our confined space Accident Prevention Program chapter. Hazardous atmospheres may be controlled through forced air ventilation and atmospheric (air) monitoring. The elimination of physical hazards may be achieved by locking out (Lock-Out-Tag-Out aka LOTO) hazardous equipment or energy, and/or blocking, blanking or blinding potential sources of engulfment. WAC 296-809 applies to all confined spaces. See also SPPM 2.68, Confined Spaces.

Contact Occupational Health & Safety (335-3041) to evaluate potential confined spaces and for assistance with confined space entry procedures.