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504 EM 385-1-1 Sections 27-34
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34.A.07 CS Program Elements. (continued)

  1. Procedures for evaluating PRCS conditions when entry is conducted. Address each of the following in facility/site-specific detail:
    • (1) Atmosphere conditions required to be maintained during entry to ensure safe entry;
    • (2) At a minimum, test the PRCS atmosphere for the following in the order specified:
      • (a) Oxygen (before and continual while entrant is in the PRCS);
      • (b) Flammable/Combustible gases and vapors; and
      • )c) Toxic gases and vapors.
Forced air ventilation is required to remove hazardous atmospheres.
  1. Policies and procedures to assure that at least one attendant is immediately available outside the PRCS during entry operations to monitor the conditions of the space, to communicate with entrants, and to respond to emergencies;
  2. Designate by name, personnel at the facility/site with active roles in CSE and their responsibilities for PRCS entry. All permits must be signed by each employee entering the CS, the CSCP, attendant and a responsible entry supervisor;
  3. Document procedures and agreements with local emergency responders for notifying emergency services of a pending entry and summoning rescue and emergency services for rescuing PRCS entrants;
  4. Document a facility/site procedure for preparing, issuing, using and canceling PRCS entry permits;
  5. Document procedures for coordinating with employees from outside organizations who will be participating in PRCS entry. The coordination must include the type of CS, the known hazards, safety procedures, PPE and debrief following the entry;
  6. Document procedures for concluding an entry after entry operations have been completed;
  7. Develop procedures for reviewing PRCS entries and documenting lessons learned from them; and
  8. Establish a policy to review cancelled, expired or revoked permits to modify the PRCS entry procedures annually.
  9. Establish a policy to review the CS program annually.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

34-4. In which order should Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) testing be conducted?