Permit-Required Confined Space Attendant (General Industry)

What an attendant is

The rule for general industry defines an attendant as an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and performs all attendant's duties assigned in the employer's permit space program.

• The employer must provide at least one attendant outside the permit space for the duration of entry operations
• An attendant may be assigned to more than one permit space, as long as the attendant's duties can be effectively performed for each space
• If one attendant watches several spaces, the permit program must include the means and procedures for the attendant to respond to an emergency in one of them without distraction from the attendant's responsibilities

This section does not apply to agriculture, construction or shipyard employment.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(a) · 29 CFR 1910.146(b) · 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(6) · 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(7)

Which spaces need an attendant

A permit-required confined space (permit space) is a confined space with one or more of these characteristics:

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(b)

Can one person do two jobs?

The entry team has an authorized entrant who goes in, an attendant who stays out, and an entry supervisor who authorizes the entry. An entry supervisor may also serve as an attendant or as an authorized entrant, as long as that person is trained and equipped as required for each role he or she fills.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(b) Note · 29 CFR 1910.146(b) "Entry supervisor" · 29 CFR 1910.146(b) "Authorized entrant"

Know the hazards

An attendant must know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of exposure, and be aware of the possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants.

Two examples from the rule's definition of a hazardous atmosphere:

• Flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL)
• Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent

A hazardous atmosphere can expose people to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (to escape unaided from a permit space), injury or acute illness. Engulfment is the surrounding and effective capture of a person by a liquid or finely divided (flowable) solid substance that can be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system or that can exert enough force on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction, or crushing.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.146(b)

Keep an accurate count

The attendant continuously maintains an accurate count of the authorized entrants in the permit space, and makes sure the means used to identify them (names, rosters or a tracking system) accurately shows who is inside.

The entry permit has to name the authorized entrants within the space, or give another means such as a roster or tracking system, that lets the attendant determine quickly and accurately which entrants are inside, for the duration of the permit.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.146(f)(4)

The entry permit and the attendant

The permit tells the attendant what to watch for.

The permit space

The permit identifies the permit space to be entered.

Who is inside

The permit names the authorized entrants within the space, or gives another means, such as a roster or tracking system, that lets the attendant determine quickly and accurately which entrants are inside.

Attendants by name

The permit lists, by name, the personnel currently serving as attendants.

Acceptable entry conditions

The permit lists the acceptable entry conditions: the conditions that must exist in a permit space to allow entry and to ensure that employees can safely enter into and work within the space.

Communication procedures

The permit gives the communication procedures authorized entrants and attendants use to maintain contact during the entry.

Rescue and emergency services

The permit lists the rescue and emergency services that can be summoned and the means for summoning them, such as the equipment to use and the numbers to call.

Sample permit for training only. The names, space and numbers are fictional.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(f) · 29 CFR 1910.146(f)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.146(f)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.146(f)(5) · 29 CFR 1910.146(f)(9) · 29 CFR 1910.146(f)(11) · 29 CFR 1910.146(f)(12) · 29 CFR 1910.146(b)

Stay outside, communicate, monitor

The employer must provide communications equipment necessary for this communication.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(5) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(6) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(10) · 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(iii)

When an attendant may enter

The default is to stay out. The rule makes one narrow allowance: when the employer's permit entry program allows attendant entry for rescue, an attendant may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue if the attendant has been trained and equipped for rescue operations as the rule requires and has been relieved by another attendant.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(4) Note

Ordering evacuation

The attendant orders the authorized entrants to evacuate the permit space immediately under any of these conditions:

On the other side of the opening, authorized entrants must exit as quickly as possible whenever the attendant or entry supervisor gives an order to evacuate, among other triggers.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(6) · 29 CFR 1910.146(b) · 29 CFR 1910.146(h)(5) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(6)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(6)(ii) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(6)(iii) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(6)(iv) · 29 CFR 1910.146(h)(5)(i)

Summoning rescue and non-entry rescue

• Summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as you determine that authorized entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards
• Perform non-entry rescues as specified by your employer's rescue procedure

The retrieval system

A retrieval system (retrieval line, chest or full-body harness, wristlets if appropriate, and a lifting device or anchor) is used for non-entry rescue. Retrieval systems or methods shall be used whenever an authorized entrant enters a permit space, unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the entrant.

• The other end of the retrieval line is attached to a mechanical device or fixed point outside the space so rescue can begin as soon as the rescuer knows it is necessary
• A mechanical device must be available to retrieve people from vertical permit spaces more than 5 feet (1.52 m) deep

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(7) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(9) · 29 CFR 1910.146(k)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.146(b) · 29 CFR 1910.146(k)(3)(ii)

Keeping unauthorized people out

When unauthorized persons approach or enter a permit space while entry is underway, the attendant:

1. Warns them that they must stay away from the permit space
2. Advises them that they must exit immediately if they have entered the space
3. Informs the authorized entrants and the entry supervisor if unauthorized persons have entered the space

Removing unauthorized individuals who enter, or try to enter, the permit space is listed as a duty of the entry supervisor. The employer must also inform exposed employees of the existence, location and danger of permit spaces by posting danger signs or other equally effective means.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(8) · 29 CFR 1910.146(j)(5) · 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(8)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(8)(ii) · 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(8)(iii)

Your training

The employer must train employees so they gain the understanding, knowledge and skills needed for the duties assigned. Training is required:

• Before you are first assigned duties under the rule
• Before a change in assigned duties
• Whenever a change in permit space operations presents a hazard you have not been trained on
• Whenever the employer has reason to believe there are deviations from the entry procedures, or inadequacies in your knowledge or use of them

The training must establish your proficiency. The employer certifies the training: the record contains each employee's name, the trainers' signatures or initials, and the dates of training.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.146(g) · 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(8)

Common test questions

What document does the entry supervisor prepare and sign?

The entry permit - it must be signed by the entry supervisor before entry begins.

Rule: 29 CFR 1910.146(e), (j)

Who is stationed outside a permit space to monitor the entrants?

The attendant, who stays outside for the whole entry.

Rule: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)

When must the attendant order everyone out?

When a prohibited condition is detected, entrants show effects of exposure, something outside could endanger them, or the attendant can't keep monitoring safely.

Rule: 29 CFR 1910.146(i)(6)

Practice these in the course