Confined space entry should follow specific safety procedures at all times. Proper training, supervision and use of proven safety procedures can prevent fatalities when working in confined spaces.
Confined space entry team must be provided with appropriate information, training and instruction appropriate to the particular characteristics of the proposed work activities in the confined space.
In this blog, the duties and responsibilities of the confined space entry team will be explained.
- Confined Space Attendant Responsibilities
“Attendant” means an individual stationed outside one or more permit required confined spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and performs all attendant’s duties assigned in the employer’s permit space program.
Duties of Attendants
- Knows the hazards that may be faced during confined space entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
- Aware of possible behavioural effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants;
- Continuously maintains an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space and ensures that the means used to identify authorized entrants;
- Remains outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant;
- Communicates with authorized entrants as necessary to monitor entrant status;
- Monitors activities inside and outside the confined space;
- Summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that authorized entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards;
- Warn the unauthorized persons that they must stay away from the permit space;
- Inform the authorized entrants and the entry supervisor if unauthorized persons have entered the permit space;
- Performs non-entry rescues as specified by the employer’s rescue procedure;
- Performs no duties that might interfere with the attendant’s primary duty to monitor and protect the authorized entrants;
- Orders the entrant to exit the space if:
– If the attendant detects a prohibited condition;
– If the attendant detects the behavioural effects of hazard exposure in an authorized entrant
– If the attendant detects a situation outside the space that could endanger the authorized entrants; or
– If the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all the duties required.
- Confined Space Entrant Responsibilities
Authorized entrant” means an employee who is authorized by the employer to enter a permit required confined space.
Duties of Authorized Entrants
- Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
- Properly use confined space equipment as required;
- Communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the attendant to monitor entrant status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the confined space as required;
- Exit from the permit space as quickly as possible whenever an order to evacuate is given by the attendant or the entry supervisor, the entrant detects a prohibited condition, or an evacuation alarm is activated.
- Alert the attendant whenever the entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation or the entrant detects a prohibited condition.
- Confined Space Entry Supervisor Responsibilities
Entry Supervisor means the person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required.
Duties of Entry Supervisor
- Knows the hazards that may be faced during confined space entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
- Verifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin;
- Terminates the entry and cancels the permit as required;
- Verifies that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable;
- Removes unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations;
- Determines, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained.
Confined Space Rescue Team Responsibilities
- Complete a training drill and simulate a confined space rescue annually;
- Respond immediately to rescue calls from the Attendant or any other person recognizing a need for rescue from the confined space;
- In addition to emergency response training, receive the same training as that required of the authorized entrants;
- Have current certification in first aid and CPR.
Interested in learning more? Contact us for our confined space entry and rescue training at www.primeliftsafetyng.com.
Call us on +234 8037957878, +234 9115687051 or Email us at training@primeliftsafetyng,com
