Page 26 - Confined Space Training - Student Manual 2021

This requirement may be met by noting on the entry permit the means used (i.e., roster,
tracking system), to follow entrants.”

It is critical for the attendant to keep track of ALL entrants as they enter and leave the permit
space. This tracking system is necessary to determine whether all entrants have been
evacuated during a rescue operation.

4. Remain outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another
attendant.

NOTE: OSHA defines entry into a confined space as breaking the plane of the
entrance with any part of your body.

If the employer’s permit entry program allows attendants entry for rescue, attendants may
enter a permit space to attempt a rescue ONLY IF both of the following have been met:
• Attendant has been trained and equipped for rescue operations.
AND
• Attendant has been relieved to do so by another Authorized attendant.

A relief attendant must:
A. Keep unauthorized persons out of permit space. This is very important during a
rescue attempt when the permit space atmosphere might be IDLH, and an untrained
bystander might try to enter to help with the rescue effort.
B. Continue to monitor the entrants inside the permit space.
C. Provide rescue personnel with the following information:
a. The number of entrants inside the permit space.
b. The hazards of the specific permit space.
c. The cause of the emergency in the first place (i.e., the injured entrant’s symptoms,
an explosion, a slip or fall).

5. Communicate with authorized entrants as necessary to monitor their status and to alert
them of the need to evacuate the permit space. OSHA believes that the entrant’s
communication with the attendant provides information the attendant needs to determine if an
entry process should be continued.
6. Monitor activities inside and outside the confined space to determine if it is safe for
entrants to remain in the space and order the entrants to evacuate the permit space
immediately under any of the following conditions:
• The attendant detects a prohibited condition.
• The attendant detects the behavioral affects of hazard exposure in an entrant.
• The attendant detects a situation outside the space that could endanger the entrants.
• The attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all the duties required of an
attendant.
NOTE: Permit space hazards can incapacitate and KILL entrants within seconds.
It is essential that the attendant order the evacuation of a permit space as soon as
any of these four conditions occur.
7. Summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that
entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards. OSHA believes there
may be times when an entrant can self-rescue from a permit space during an emergency.

Confined Space Training for Entrants, Attendants & Supervisors 26