ASTM_D_4276_-_02_2012.pdf

Designation:D427602(Reapproved 2012)Standard Practice forConfined Area Entry1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4276;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers recognized procedures necessary toprotect the health and safety of workers required to enterconfined spaces.These procedures are particularly applicableto entry into the confined areas associated with the use ofhalogenated organic solvents.1.2 Confined areas addressed in this practice include,but arenot limited to:vapor degreasers,cold cleaning tanks,storagevessels,tank cars and trucks,van trailers,ships or barges,pitsor sumps,and unventilated rooms.1.3 This practice does not necessarily address entry into allconfined spaces nor does it address the decision strategyinvolved in requiring such entry.1.4 Although this practice describes specific safety steps tobe taken for entry into confined spaces,it is not intended topreclude the use of any additional measures that may bedeemed necessary for a particular situation.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:CFR 1910.146 U.S.Department of Labor,OccupationalSafety and Health Standards,Permit-Required ConfinedSpaces3.Summary of Practice3.1 Confined area entry refers to the entering of any tank,vessel,sump,pit,duct,tank car,tank truck,van trailer,orenclosed space in which there has been,or may have beenchemicals,chemical vapors,or a lack of ventilation.4.Significance and Use4.1 Vapor inhalation is the primary hazard encountered inthe use of chlorinated solvents.The greatest potential for overexposure to these solvent vapors occurs where the employee isexposed to the high concentrations of vapor that may be foundin confined areas.The seriousness of this hazard is oftenunderestimated by those performing this type of work.4.2 This practice is designed for use by employers indeveloping their own specific standards for vessel or confinedarea entry.4.3 Many of these areas are considered as permit-requiredconfined spaces as defined by OSHA(29 CFR 1910.146).Thedetermination of the applicability of these requirements is theresponsibility of the user.4.4 This practice represents the minimum requirements forentry into any confined area containing halogenated solvents.4.5 This practice does not address all of the requirementscontained in the OSHAconfined spaces standard.Developmentand implementation of training programs,recordkeeping,andother additional requirements of the OSHA standard are theresponsibility of the user.5.Procedure5.1 All personnel working in confined areas must be prop-erly trained in safe entry and rescue procedures.They musthave a working knowledge and understanding of the hazardsthat may exist.5.2 Entry PermitEntry into confined areas must be bywritten entry permit,issued by the responsible supervisor orother qualified person.The purpose of the entry permit is toensure that a checklist of precautions has been reviewed priorto entry.This permit is an authorization,and approval inwriting certifying that all existing hazards have been evaluatedand necessary protective measures have been taken to ensurethe safety of the worker.The permit should be valid for alimited time only,(usually an 8 or 10-h shift)and issuance ofa new permit required in the event of any job interruption orany indication of changes in job conditions.Issuance of theentry permit must address all of the following considerations.5.3 Area Preparation:1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D26 on Haloge-nated Organic Solvents and Fire Extinguishing Agents and is the direct responsi-bility of Subcommittee D26.05 on Industrial Hygiene.Current edition approved Sept.1,2012.Published November 2012.Originallyapproved in 1984.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4276 02(2007).DOI:10.1520/D4276-02R12.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.3.1 IsolationAll process lines exiting or entering theconfined area must be disconnected,capped off,and blinded.Closing of valves alone is not adequate protection.5.3.2 LockoutPumps or any other mechanical or electricalequipment(particularly conveyors),connected to the confinedarea,are to be locked out by locking the main electrical switchin the“OFF”position.5.3.3 CleaningThe space must be cleared,flushed,orpurged of hazardous materials to the extent practical.Thisshould be followed,where practical,by cleaning with water,steam,or other suitab