Confined Space Entry Requirements Flashcards

Under OSHA 29 CFR 1915, what must a shipyard employer do if workers must enter a space to perform emergency life-saving operations before the atmosphere can be fully tested?

Answer: Ensure workers use SCBA and treat the atmosphere as immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)

Emergency entry without atmospheric testing requires SCBA use and the space must be treated as IDLH until proven otherwise.

What does the marine chemist's certificate designation 'Safe for Hot Work' specifically authorize?

Answer: Welding, cutting, and other ignition-producing operations within the certified space

'Safe for Hot Work' certifies the atmosphere in the specified space is free of flammable vapors, permitting ignition-producing operations.

Which of the following best describes an 'immediately dangerous to life or health' (IDLH) atmosphere in a confined space?

Answer: A condition that poses an immediate threat of death or irreversible health impairment

IDLH describes conditions that could cause death or irreversible health effects within 30 minutes, requiring SCBA or supplied-air respirators.

When a marine chemist tests a ballast tank that previously held salt water, which hazard should be of primary concern?

Answer: Hydrogen gas accumulation from corrosion reactions

Corrosion of steel in the presence of water and dissolved salts can produce hydrogen gas, which accumulates and creates flammable/explosive atmospheres.

What is the significance of the 'permit system' expiration time in confined space entry aboard vessels?

Answer: It limits the valid period of the atmospheric certification, after which re-testing is required

The permit has an expiration time to ensure atmospheric conditions are re-verified if work extends beyond the tested period.

Under NFPA 306, what must happen to all cargo and fuel piping connections to a tank before a marine chemist can certify it for entry?

Answer: All connections must be blanked off or valves must be closed and tagged out

NFPA 306 requires cargo and fuel lines to be blanked off or positively isolated with tagged-out valves to prevent reintroduction of hazardous substances.

A confined space that requires entry has a benzene reading of 0.8 ppm. The OSHA PEL for benzene is 1 ppm. What is the correct entry decision?

Answer: Entry requires evaluation of the action level (0.5 ppm) and implementation of a written exposure control plan

OSHA's benzene standard (29 CFR 1910.1028) requires a written exposure control plan when readings exceed the action level of 0.5 ppm.