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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:

1915.13

• Title:

Cleaning and other cold work.

1915.13(a)

Locations covered by this section. The employer shall
ensure that manual cleaning and other cold work are not performed in the
following spaces unless the conditions of paragraph (b) of this section
have been met:

1915.13(a)(1)

Spaces containing or having last contained bulk quantities
of combustible or flammable liquids or gases; and

1915.13(a)(2)

of liquids, gases or solids that are toxic, corrosive or irritating.

1915.13(b)

Requirements for performing cleaning or cold work.

1915.13(b)(1)

Liquid residues of hazardous materials shall be removed
from work spaces as thoroughly as practicable before employees start
cleaning operations or cold work in a space. Special care shall be taken
to prevent the spilling or the draining of these materials into the water
surrounding the vessel, or for shore-side operations, onto the surrounding
work area.

1915.13(b)(2)

Testing shall be conducted by a competent person to
determine the concentration of flammable, combustible, toxic, corrosive,
or irritant vapors within the space prior to the beginning of cleaning or
cold work.

..1915.13(b)(3)

1915.13(b)(3)

Continuous ventilation shall be provided at volumes and
flow rates sufficient to ensure that the concentration(s) of:

1915.13(b)(3)(i)

Flammable vapor is maintained below 10 percent of the
lower explosive limit; and

Note to paragraph (b)(3)(i): Spaces containing highly
volatile residues may require additional ventilation to keep the
concentration of flammable vapors below 10 percent of the lower explosive
limit and within the permissible exposure limit.

1915.13(b)(3)(ii)

Toxic, corrosive, or irritant vapors are maintained within
the permissible exposure limits and below IDLH levels.

1915.13(b)(4)

Testing shall be conducted by the competent person as
often as necessary during cleaning or cold work to assure that air
concentrations are below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit and
within the PELs and below IDLH levels. Factors such as, but not limited
to, temperature, volatility of the residues and other existing conditions
in and about the spaces are to be considered in determining the frequency
of testing necessary to assure a safe atmosphere.

Note to paragraph (b)(4): See Appendix A for additional
information on frequency of testing.

1915.13(b)(5)

Spills or other releases of flammable, combustible, toxic,
corrosive, and irritant materials shall be cleaned up as work
progresses.

1915.13(b)(6)

An employee may not enter a confined or enclosed space or
other dangerous atmosphere if the concentration of flammable or
combustible vapors in work spaces exceeds 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
provided:

..1915.13(b)(6)(i)

1915.13(b)(6)(i)

No ignition sources are present;

1915.13(b)(6)(ii)

The atmosphere in the space is monitored continuously;

1915.13(b)(6)(iii)

The atmosphere in the space is maintained above the upper
explosive limit; and

1915.13(b)(6)(iv)

Respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, and
clothing are provided in accordance with subpart I of this part.

Note to paragraph (b)(6): Other provisions for work in
IDLH and other dangerous atmospheres are located in Subpart I of this
part.

1915.13(b)(7)

A competent person shall test ventilation discharge areas
and other areas where discharged vapors may collect to determine if vapors
discharged from the spaces being ventilated are accumulating in
concentrations hazardous to employees.

1915.13(b)(8)

If the tests required in paragraph (b)(7) of this section
indicate that concentrations of exhaust vapors that are hazardous to
employees are accumulating, all work in the contaminated area shall be
stopped until the vapors have dissipated or been removed.

1915.13(b)(9)

Only explosion-proof, self-contained portable lamps, or
other electric equipment approved by a National Recognized Testing
Laboratory (NRTL) for the hazardous location shall be used in spaces
described in paragraph (a) of this section until such spaces have been
certified as "Safe for Workers."

Note to paragraph (b)(9): Battery-fed, portable lamps or
other electric equipment bearing the approval of a NRTL for the class, and
division of the location in which they are used are deemed to meet the
requirements of this paragraph.

..1915.13(b)(10)

1915.13(b)(10)

The employer shall prominently post signs that prohibit
sources of ignition within or near a space that has contained flammable or
combustible liquids or gases in bulk quantities:

1915.13(b)(10)(i)

At the entrance to those spaces;

1915.13(b)(10)(ii)

In adjacent spaces; and

1915.13(b)(10)(iii)

In the open area adjacent to those spaces.

1915.13(b)(11)

All air moving equipment and its component parts,
including duct work, capable of generating a static electric discharge of
sufficient energy to create a source of ignition, shall be bonded
electrically to the structure of a vessel or vessel section or, in the
case of land-side spaces, grounded to prevent an electric discharge in the
space.

1915.13(b)(12)

Fans shall have non-sparking blades, and portable air
ducts shall be of non-sparking materials.

Note to paragraph (b): See 1915.12(c) of this part and
applicable requirements of 29 CFR part 1915, subpart Z for other
provisions affecting cleaning and cold work.

[59 FR 37816, July 25, 1994]

Next
Standard (1915.14)

Regulations
(Standards - 29 CFR) - Table of
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