Hazard Re-Evaluation

DOE-EM-STD-5503-94

confined space. This information should be communicated to personnel and appropriate

procedures developed prior to entry. The initial surveys should include air monitoring to

determine the air quality in the confined spaces. The following situations should be evaluated by

competent personnel:

Flammable or explosive potential,

Oxygen deficiency, and

Presence of toxic and corrosive material.

13.3.1. Hazard Re-Evaluation

The Project Manager should ensure the identification and re-evaluation of the hazards based on

possible changes in activities, and/or other physical or environmental conditions, which could

adversely affect work. A master inventory of confined spaces should be maintained. Any

change in designation of a confined space will be routed through the Site Safety and Health

Officer (SSHO) for review, prior to the change being made.

13.4. HAZARD ASSESSMENT

A hazard assessment should be completed prior to any entry into a confined space. The hazard

assessment should identify the sequence of work to be performed in the confined space, the

specific hazards known or anticipated, and the control measures to be implemented to eliminate or

reduce each of the hazards to an acceptable level. No entry should be permitted until the

hazard assessment has been reviewed and discussed by all persons engaged in the activity.

Personnel who enter confined spaces should be informed of known or potential hazards

associated with the confined spaces to be entered.

13.5. HAZARD CONTROLS

Hazard controls include changes in the work processes and/or working environment with the

objective of:

Controlling the health hazards either by eliminating the responsible agents,

Reducing health hazards below harmful levels, and

Preventing the contaminants from coming into contact with the workers.

The following order of precedence should be followed in reducing confined space risks:

Engineering controls, such as ventilation to limit exposure to hazards;

Work practice controls, such as wetting of hazardous dusts, frequent cleaning; and

Use of PPE, such as air purifying or supplied-air respirators.

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