Shipyard Employment eTool > Ship Repair > Confined or Enclosed Spaces

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General Requirements

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Pre-Entry » Training

OSHA requires that employers train their employees to enter and work safely in enclosed and confined spaces as well as other hazardous atmospheres. [1915.12(d)]

Training Requirements

Training Requirements

Employees shall be trained to: [1915.12(d)]
- Recognize characteristics of confined spaces. [1915.12(d)(2)(i)]
- Understand the hazards of confined spaces. [1915.12(d)(2)(ii)]
- Recognize and understand the health effects of hazardous atmospheres. [1915.12(d)(2)(iii) and 1915.12(d)(2)(iv)]
- Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment. [1915.12(d)(2)(v) and 1915.12(d)(2)(vi)]
- Be aware of or understand the use of confined space controls and barriers. [1915.12(d)(2)(vii)]
- Exit a space if hazardous conditions develop or an alarm sounds. [1915.12(d)(3)]
Employees shall be retrained when duties or operations change. [1915.12(d)(4)]
Employers shall certify that training has been completed. [1915.12(d)(5)]
Employers shall exchange hazard and control information with subcontractors and other employers working in the same area. [1915.12(f)]

Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations

Employers should retrain employees annually on confined space. Employers should conduct awareness training for enclosed spaces.
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Visual Inspection

Exhaust ventilation can be used to remove flammable and toxic fumes, vapors, and particulates from the space.

Where mechanical ventilation is used in potentially flammable atmospheres, this equipment must be rated as explosion proof by Nationally Recognized Testing Labs (NRTL).

Make sure that supplied air is from a clean source and that the hazardous atmosphere is exhausted to safe areas. Keep the ducts as short and straight as possible for more efficient air movement.

The following are examples of exhaust ventilation equipment:

Electric ducted fans and blowers
Electric non-ducted fans and blowers
Air ejector operated by compressed air

Figure 3: Electric non-ducted blower.

Figure 4: Air movers providing general ventilation to confined spaces.

Figure 4: Air movers provide general ventilation to confined spaces.

Figure 1: Electric ducted exhaust ventilation.

Figure 2: Electric ducted exhaust ventilation.

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