514 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 30-37

34-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

Owner/Operator Duties

Inform contractors about confined space hazards and provide necessary information for the work area.

Qualified Person (QP) Responsibilities

Identify and survey confined spaces.
Label Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS).
Create confined space programs for USACE operations.

Entry Supervisor Responsibilities

Formulate site-specific Confined Space Plans and manage PRCS entry operations.
Ensure onsite presence during PRCS entries and verify proper implementation of procedures.
Control, disconnect, or isolate energy sources and mechanical hazards before authorizing entry permits.

Entrant Responsibilities

Comply with the entry requirements and procedures per the Confined Space Plan.
Understand potential hazards, review and sign entry permits, and use equipment properly.
Exit the confined space immediately upon noticing any symptoms of exposure or upon instruction.

Attendant Duties

Understand confined space hazards and oversee entry permit processes.
Stay outside the PRCS during operations and manage Entrant counts.
Prevent unauthorized access, order evacuations if needed, and call for rescue or emergency services when necessary.

Rescue Personnel Requirements

Respond promptly based on the hazards and conditions of the space.
Have adequate team size, training, equipment, and provide basic first aid and CPR.
Inform the Entry Supervisor about changes in service availability or response time.

Competent Person, Confined Spaces in Ships and Vessels (CPCSSV) Obligations

Develop and enforce a site-specific Confined Space Program in accordance with regulations.
Test and record atmospheric conditions before and during entry as per regulatory standards.
Assess and continuously monitor air quality, especially before starting hot work.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

34-3. Who is responsible to formulate site-specific Confined Space Plans and manage PRCS entry operations?

The KO or COR

The Qualified Person (QP)

The Entry Supervisor

The Host Employer

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 34-4.

34-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

a.  Owner/Operator.  Ensure contractors are aware of the confined space hazards where work will be performed and provide any other necessary information.  (34-4.a)

b.  Qualified Person (QP).  The QP is responsible for identifying and conducting surveys for confined spaces (see para 34-8.b).  Additionally, the QP must:  (34-4.b)

(1)  Label PRCS.

(2)  Develop confined space programs for USACE operations (see para 34- 7.e).

c.  Entry Supervisor.  The Entry Supervisor must develop site-specific Confined Space Plans and oversee and direct all PRCS entry operations.  Additionally, the Entry Supervisor must:  (34-4.c)

(1)  Remain onsite at all times during PRCS entries.

(2)  Verify all applicable procedures (for example, ventilation, fall protection) are in place prior to confined space entry.

(3)  Ensure all energy sources, mechanical hazards, and equipment is controlled, disconnected, or isolated prior to issuing an entry permit (see para 12-8.a).

(4)  When ventilation is supplied into the space, ensure it is from a clean source.

(5)  Ensure that the hazardous atmosphere is properly exhausted and does not enter or accumulate in unapproved areas.

(6)  Complete and sign the entry permit.  See non-mandatory ENG Form 6208 (Permit-Required Confined Space Entry) (see para 34-10.d).

(7)  Ensure pre-entry testing and continuous monitoring of the confined space atmosphere is conducted.  See non-mandatory ENG Form 6205 (Atmospheric Testing) (see para 34-10.b).

(8)  Remove unauthorized individuals who enter or attempt to enter a PRCS during operations.

(9)  Ensure safe conditions are maintained throughout the entry and operations.

(10)  Cancel the permit and reissue a new permit whenever there are new hazards or changed conditions. Update the AHA accordingly.

(11)  Ensure Attendant(s) can execute the emergency response and rescue plan.

(12)  Coordinate with rescue services to ensure they are aware of the confined space entry and are capable of supporting according to the identified hazard level (see para 34-8.h).

d.  Entrant.  The Entrant(s) is responsible for following the entry requirements and procedures according to the Confined Space Plan.  The authorized Entrant must:
(34-4.d)

Note.  The Entry Supervisor can also serve as an Entrant if so trained and qualified according to paragraph 34-3.e.

(1)  Understand the potential hazards of the confined space.

(2)  Review and sign the entry permit when a permit is required.

(3)  Properly use equipment.

(4)  Establish clear communication methods with Attendant(s).

(5)  Enter the confined space only when directed by the Entry Supervisor or after the completion of a pre-entry evaluation.

(6)  Notify the Attendant and immediately exit the space if any symptoms of exposure, an emergency, or unacceptable conditions occur.

(7)  Exit the confined space immediately if symptoms, warning signs, or unacceptable conditions occur or when directed to do so by the Attendant or Entry Supervisor.

e.  Attendant. The Attendant is responsible for following the entry requirements and procedures according to the Confined Space Plan.  The Attendant must:  (34-4.e)

Note.  The Entry Supervisor can also serve as an Attendant if so trained and qualified according to paragraph 34-3.f.

(1)  Understand the hazards of the confined space.

(2)  Review and sign the entry permit.

(3)  Establish clear communication methods with the Entrant(s).

(4)  Remain outside the assigned PRCS during entry operations until relieved by another Attendant or all Authorized Entrants have left the space and the permit is canceled.

(5)  Maintain a count of Entrants.  See non-mandatory ENG Form 6207 (Confined
    Space Entrant Log) (see para 34-10.c).

(6)  Prevent unauthorized access to the confined space and notify the Entry
    Supervisor of unauthorized individuals.

(7)  Order the evacuation of the confined space upon identification of a hazardous condition inside or outside of the confined space.

(8)  Recognize signs and symptoms related to the chemical, physical, biomechanical, biological, and psychological hazards within the space and determine the appropriate action required.

(9)  Summon rescue or emergency services, as required.

(10)  Perform non-entry rescue, as required.

f.  Rescue Personnel.  The role of a confined space rescue service, whether in house or outside rescue service, is to enter a space and perform a rescue.  The rescue service must:  (34-4.f)

(1)  Respond in a timely manner, based on the hazards and conditions of the space.

(2)  Provide a team of sufficient size and technical training to perform the rescue.

(3)  Have the proper equipment and retrieval devices.

(4)  Provide basic first aid and CPR response.

(5)  Notify the Entry Supervisor if their service availabilities and timeliness of response changes.

g.  Competent Person, Confined Spaces in Ships and Vessels (CPCSSV).  The CPCSSV must follow the entry requirements and procedures according to the Confined Space Program and 29 CFR 1915 Subpart B.  Additionally, USACE CPCSSVs must: (34-4.g)

(1)  Develop and implement a site-specific Confined Space Program meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1915 Subpart B and those defined in this chapter.

(2)  Before and during entry into spaces, test the atmosphere for oxygen content, flammability, and toxicity, and record the results according to the requirements of 29 CFR 1915.7. See non-mandatory ENG Form 6205 (Atmospheric Testing) (see para 34-10.b).

(3)  Prior to starting hot work, test the confined space to confirm there is no toxic, corrosive, or irritating chemicals present in the air.  Evaluate and document the results before starting the work.  Continuously monitor the air to ensure acceptable atmospheric levels are maintained.  See chapter 9 for additional hot work requirements and chapter 10 for welding, cutting, and brazing activities.

(4)  Label all confined spaces according to 29 CFR 1915 Subpart B and maintain a copy of the inventory onsite and at the land-based office (see para 34-8.b).