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MINIMUM COMPLIANCE CONFINED SPACE ENTRY POLICY <br />I. PURPOSE <br />The purpose of the Confined Space Entry Policy is to comply with OSHA regulation 5205.1000 <br />— 5205.1040, 5067.0300 and to establish guidelines for employees' safety while working in <br />confined spaces. All employees have a responsibility to follow this policy. Management and <br />supervisory employees shall be responsible for employees training and compliance with this <br />policy. <br />Failure to comply fully with this policy may result in injury or death. <br />II. DEFINITIONS <br />Confined Space — A confined space is any area, which by design has limited openings for <br />entry and exit and/or unfavorable natural ventilation. The space may contain or produce <br />an atmosphere, which may be hazardous to life, and is not designed for normal <br />occupancy by people. <br />The types of confined spaces that may be encountered in the water and wastewater industry <br />include, but are not necessarily limited to, manholes, sewer lines, vaults, pumping stations, wet <br />wells and storage facilities. <br />Work — Includes repair or maintenance procedures requiring entrance and/or occupation of a <br />confined space. The atmospheric conditions of the space may deteriorate because of, or during, <br />the work being performed. <br />Inspections — Entry and/or occupation of a confined space for the purpose of observing the <br />condition/operability of the equipment within the facility. <br />III. TYPES OF HAZARDS <br />A. Oxygen <br />1. Low oxygen deficiency content is considered dangerous to life and health. <br />2. High oxygen content is explosive when an ignition source is present. <br />B. Toxic Gases (Including but not limited to) <br />1. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) has the distinctive odor of rotten eggs. H2S is extremely <br />toxic at low concentrations and explosive at high concentrations. <br />2. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is non - explosive but highly toxic. <br />3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) will not support life at higher concentrations over a long <br />period of exposure. <br />4. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is very toxic and odorless. <br />5. Chlorine (CL2) is extremely toxic, irritating and life threatening. <br />C. Explosive Gases (Including but not limited to) <br />1. Methane — Explosive at lower concentrations <br />2. Certain petroleum products — Gasoline and other fuel oils. <br />3. Hydrogen Sulfide — H2S is explosive at high concentrations. <br />4. Natural gas (NSP, Minnegasco or other natural gas utility). <br />17 <br />