N.H. Admin. Code § Lab 1403.14 - Confined Space Entry

(a) The employer shall evaluate the workplace to determine if any areas are confined spaces as defined under Lab 1402.02.

(b) If an area is found to be a confined space, the employer shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The employer shall inform exposed employees by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, the confined spaces;

(2) A minimum of 2 employees shall be assigned to the work activity involving entry into a confined space. One employee shall act as an attendant/observer and remain outside of the space for the duration of the entry operation;

(3) Conditions in the confined space shall be tested before entry operations and monitored while employees are in the confined space;

(4) Testing required by (b) (3) above shall include testing of the internal atmosphere with a calibrated direct reading instrument, for the following conditions in the order listed:

a.Oxygen content;

b.Flammable gases and vapors; and

c.Potential toxic air contaminants;

(5) The employer shall establish and implement the means, procedures and practices required to eliminate or control hazards and make the confined space safe for conducting entry operations including purging, making inert, flushing or ventilating the confined space;

(6) Confined space entrants shall use appropriate personal protective and retrieval equipment. The retrieval equipment shall allow for attendant /observer non-entry rescue;

(7) The employer shall provide training so that all employees whose job duties involve confined space entry procedures acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned to them; and

(8) A procedure shall be implemented which shall require a written permit evidencing that the above steps were taken prior to entering a confined space.

(c) The training in (b)(7) above shall include the nature of the hazards involved, the necessary precautions to be taken, and in the use of personal protective and any other equipment necessary for safe entry.

Notes

N.H. Admin. Code § Lab 1403.14

#4118 eff 8-22-86, EXPIRED: 8-22-92

New. #6684, eff 2-4-98, EXPIRED: 2-4-06

New. #8606, INTERIM, eff 4-12-06, EXPIRED: 10-09-06 (formerly Lab 1403.15)

New. #8796, eff 1-11-07

Amended by Volume XXXV Number 18, Filed May 7, 2015 , Proposed by #10809, Effective 4/9/2015, Expires4/9/2015.