| Entering Confined Spaces | |
| Are confined spaces thoroughly emptied of any corrosive or hazardous substances, such as acids or caustics, before entry? | |
| Are all lines to a confined space that contain inert, toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials valved off and blanked or disconnected and separated before entry? | |
| Are all impellers, agitators, or other moving parts and equipment inside confined spaces locked out if they present a hazard? | |
| Is either natural or mechanical ventilation provided prior to confined space entry? | |
| Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic substances and explosive concentrations in the confined space before entry? | |
| Is adequate illumination provided for the work to be performed in the confined space? | |
| Is the atmosphere inside the confined space frequently tested or continuously monitored during work? | |
| Is there a trained and equipped standby employee positioned outside the confined space, whose sole responsibility is to watch the work in progress, sound an alarm if necessary and render assistance? | |
| Is the standby employee appropriately trained and equipped to handle an emergency? | |
| Are employees prohibited from entering the confined space without lifelines and respiratory equipment if there is any question as to the cause of an emergency? | |
| Is approved respiratory equipment required if the atmosphere inside the confined space cannot be made acceptable? | |
| Is all portable electrical equipment used inside confined spaces either grounded and insulated or equipped with ground fault protection? | |
| Are compressed gas bottles forbidden inside the confined space? | |
| Before gas welding or burning is started in a confined space, are hoses checked for leaks, torches lighted only outside the confined area and the confined area tested for an explosive atmosphere each time before a lighted torch is taken into the confined space? | |
| If employees will be using oxygen-consuming equipment such as salamanders, torches, furnaces, etc., in a confined space, is sufficient air provided to assure combustion without reducing the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume? | |
| Whenever combustion-type equipment is used in a confined space, are provisions made to ensure the exhaust gases are vented outside of the enclosure? | |
| Is each confined space checked for decaying vegetation or animal matter which may produce methane? | |
| Is the confined space checked for possible industrial waste which could contain toxic properties? | |
| If the confined space is below ground and near areas where motor vehicles will be operating, is it possible for vehicle exhaust or carbon monoxide to enter the space? | |
| Are there other issues? | |
Information courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
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