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Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) - Table of
Contents

• Part Number:

1915

• Part Title:

Occup. Safety and Health Standards for
Shipyard Employment

• Subpart:

B

• Subpart Title:

Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other
Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment

• Standard Number:

1915.12

• Title:

Precautions and the order of testing before
entering confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous
atmospheres.

The employer shall ensure that atmospheric testing is
performed in the following sequence: oxygen content, flammability,
toxicity.

1915.12(a)

Oxygen content.

1915.12(a)(1)

The employer shall ensure that the following spaces are
visually inspected and tested by a competent person to determine the
atmosphere's oxygen content prior to initial entry into the space by an
employee:

1915.12(a)(1)(i)

Spaces that have been sealed, such as, but not limited to,
spaces that have been coated and closed up, and non-ventilated spaces that
have been freshly painted;

1915.12(a)(1)(ii)

Spaces and adjacent spaces that contain or have contained
combustible or flammable liquids or
gases;

1915.12(a)(1)(iii)

liquids, gases, or solids that are toxic, corrosive, or irritant;

1915.12(a)(1)(iv)

Spaces and adjacent spaces that have been fumigated;
and

1915.12(a)(1)(v)

Spaces containing materials or residues of materials that
create an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

..1915.12(a)(2)

1915.12(a)(2)

If the space to be entered contains an oxygen deficient
atmosphere, the space shall be labeled "Not Safe for Workers" or, if
oxygen-enriched, "Not Safe for Workers - Not Safe for Hot Work." If an
oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched atmosphere is found, ventilation shall
be provided at volumes and flow rates sufficient to ensure that the oxygen
content is maintained at or above 19.5 percent and below 22.0 percent by
volume. The warning label may be removed when the oxygen content is equal
to or greater than 19.5 and less than 22.0 percent by volume.

1915.12(a)(3)

An employee may not enter a space where the oxygen
content, by volume, is below 19.5 percent or above 22.0 percent.
Exception: An employee may enter for emergency rescue or for a short
duration for installation of ventilation equipment necessary to start work
in the space provided:

1915.12(a)(3)(i)

The atmosphere in the space is monitored for oxygen
content, by volume, continuously; and

1915.12(a)(3)(ii)

Respiratory protection and other appropriate personal
protective equipment and clothing are provided in accordance with Subpart
I of this part.

Note to paragraph (a): Other provisions for work in IDLH
atmospheres are located in Subpart I of this
part.

1915.12(b)

Flammable atmospheres.

1915.12(b)(1)

The employer shall ensure that spaces and adjacent spaces
that contain or have contained combustible or flammable liquids or gases
are:

1915.12(b)(1)(i)

Inspected visually by the competent person to determine
the presence of combustible or flammable liquids; and

..1915.12(b)(1)(ii)

1915.12(b)(1)(ii)

Tested by a competent person prior to entry by an employee
to determine the concentration of flammable vapors and gases within the
space.

1915.12(b)(2)

If the concentration of flammable vapors or gases in the
space to be entered is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the lower
explosive limit, the space shall be labeled "Not Safe for Workers" and
"Not Safe for Hot Work." Ventilation shall be provided at volumes and flow
rates sufficient to ensure that the concentration of flammable vapors is
maintained below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit. The warning
labels may be removed when the concentration of flammable vapors is below
10 percent of the lower explosive limit.

1915.12(b)(3)

An employee may not enter a space where the concentration
of flammable vapors or gases is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the
lower explosive limit. Exception: An employee may enter for emergency
rescue or for a short duration for installation of ventilation equipment
necessary to start work in the space, provided:

1915.12(b)(3)(i)

No ignition sources are present;

1915.12(b)(3)(ii)

The atmosphere in the space is monitored continuously;

1915.12(b)(3)(iii)

Atmospheres at or above the upper explosive limit are
maintained; and

..1915.12(b)(3)(iv)

1915.12(b)(3)(iv)

Respiratory protection and other appropriate personal
protective equipment and clothing are provided in accordance with Subpart
I of this part.

Note 1 to paragraph (b): Additional provisions for work in
IDLH atmospheres are located in Subpart I of this part.

Note 2 to paragraph (b): Additional provisions for work in
spaces containing a flammable substance which also has a permissible
exposure limit, are located in Subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1915, and
1915.12(c).

1915.12(c)

Toxic, corrosive, irritant or fumigated atmospheres and
residues.

1915.12(c)(1)

The employer shall ensure that spaces or adjacent spaces
that contain or have contained liquids, gases, or solids that are toxic,
corrosive or irritant are:

1915.12(c)(1)(i)

Inspected visually by the competent person to determine
the presence of toxic, corrosive, or irritant residue contaminants;
and

1915.12(c)(1)(ii)

Tested by a competent person prior to initial entry by an
employee to determine the air concentration of toxics, corrosives, or
irritants within the space.

1915.12(c)(2)

If a space contains an air concentration of a material
which exceeds a part 1915 subpart Z permissible exposure limit (PEL) or is
IDLH, the space shall be labeled "Not Safe for Workers." Ventilation shall
be provided at volumes and flow rates which will ensure that air
concentrations are maintained within the PEL or, in the case of
contaminants for which there is no established PEL, below the IDLH. The
warning label may be removed when the concentration of contaminants is
maintained within the PEL or below IDLH level.

..1915.12(c)(3)

1915.12(c)(3)

If a space cannot be ventilated to within the PELs or is
IDLH, a Marine Chemist or CIH must re-test until the space can be
certified "Enter with Restrictions" or "Safe for Workers."

1915.12(c)(4)

An employee may not enter a space whose atmosphere exceeds
a PEL or is IDLH. Exception: An employee may enter for emergency rescue,
or for a short duration for installation of ventilation equipment
provided:

1915.12(c)(4)(i)

The atmosphere in the space is monitored continuously;

1915.12(c)(4)(ii)

Respiratory protection and other necessary and appropriate
personal protective equipment and clothing are provided in accordance with
Subpart I of this part.

Note to paragraph (c): Other provisions for work in IDLH
atmospheres are located in Subpart I of this
part.

1915.12(d)

Training of employees entering confined and enclosed
spaces or other dangerous atmospheres.

1915.12(d)(1)

The employer shall ensure that each employee that enters a
confined or enclosed space and other areas with dangerous atmospheres is
trained to perform all required duties safely.

1915.12(d)(2)

The employer shall ensure that each employee who enters a
confined space, enclosed space, or other areas with dangerous atmospheres
is trained to:

1915.12(d)(2)(i)

Recognize the characteristics of the confined space;

..1915.12(d)(2)(ii)

1915.12(d)(2)(ii)

Anticipate and be aware of the hazards that may be faced
during entry;

1915.12(d)(2)(iii)

Recognize the adverse health effects that may be caused by
the exposure to a hazard;

1915.12(d)(2)(iv)

Understand the physical signs and reactions related to
exposures to such hazards;

1915.12(d)(2)(v)

Know what personal protective equipment is needed for safe
entry into and exit from the space;

1915.12(d)(2)(vi)

Use personal protective equipment; and

1915.12(d)(2)(vii)

Where necessary, be aware of the presence and proper use
of barriers that may be needed to protect an entrant from hazards.

1915.12(d)(3)

The employer shall ensure that each entrant into confined
or enclosed spaces or other dangerous atmospheres is trained to exit the
space or dangerous atmosphere whenever:

1915.12(d)(3)(i)

The employer or his or her representative orders
evacuation;

1915.12(d)(3)(ii)

An evacuation signal such as an alarm is activated; or

1915.12(d)(3)(iii)

The entrant perceives that he or she is in danger.

..1915.12(d)(4)

1915.12(d)(4)

The employer shall provide each employee with
training:

1915.12(d)(4)(i)

Before the entrant begins work addressed by this section;
and

1915.12(d)(4)(ii)

Whenever there is a change in operations or in an
employee's duties that presents a hazard about which the employee has not
previously been trained.

1915.12(d)(5)

The employer shall certify that the training required by
paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(4) of this section has been
accomplished.

1915.12(d)(5)(i)

The certification shall contain the employee's name, the
name of the certifier, and the date(s) of the certification.

1915.12(d)(5)(ii)

The certification shall be available for inspection by the
Assistant Secretary, the Director, employees, and their
representatives.

1915.12(e)

Rescue teams. The employer shall either establish a
shipyard rescue team or arrange for an outside rescue team which will
respond promptly to a request for rescue service.

1915.12(e)(1)

Shipyard rescue teams shall meet the following
criteria:

..1915.12(e)(1)(i)

1915.12(e)(1)(i)

Each employee assigned to the shipyard team shall be
provided with and trained to use the personal protective equipment he or
she will need, including respirators and any rescue equipment necessary
for making rescues from confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous
atmospheres.

1915.12(e)(1)(ii)

Each employee assigned to the shipyard rescue team shall
be trained to perform his or her rescue functions including confined and
enclosed and other dangerous atmosphere entry.

1915.12(e)(1)(iii)

Shipyard rescue teams shall practice their skills at least
once every 12 months. Practice drills shall include the use of mannequins
and rescue equipment during simulated rescue operations involving physical
facilities that approximate closely those facilities from which rescue may
be needed.

Note to paragraph (e)(1)(iii): If the team performs an
actual rescue during the 12 month period, an additional practice drill for
that type of rescue is not required.

1915.12(e)(1)(iv)

At least one person on each rescue team shall maintain
current certification in basic first aid which includes maintenance of an
airway, control of bleeding, maintenance of circulation and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.

1915.12(e)(2)

The employer shall inform outside rescue teams of the
hazards that the team may encounter when called to perform confined and
enclosed space or other dangerous atmosphere rescue at the employer's
facility so that the rescue team can be trained and equipped.

Note to paragraph (e): The criteria for in-house rescue,
listed in paragraph (e)(1) can be used by the employer in evaluating
outside rescue services.

..1915.12(f)

1915.12(f)

Exchanging hazard information between employers. Each
employer whose employees work in confined and enclosed spaces or other
dangerous atmospheres shall ensure that all available information on the
hazards, safety rules, and emergency procedures concerning those spaces
and atmospheres is exchanged with any other employer whose employees may
enter the same spaces.

[47 FR 16986, Apr. 20, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 35514,
July 1, 1993; 59 FR 37816, July 25, 1994; 60 FR 14218, March 16,
1995]

Next
Standard (1915.13)

Regulations
(Standards - 29 CFR) - Table of
Contents

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