NFPA 350, Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work

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NFPA^® 350 Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work, 2019 Edition

Chapter 1 Administration

1.1 Scope.
1.2 Purpose.
1.3 Application.
1.4 Equivalency.

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

2.1 General.
2.2 NFPA Publications.
2.3 Other Publications.
2.4 References for Extracts in Advisory Sections.

Chapter 3 Definitions

3.1 General.
3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
3.3 General Definitions.

Chapter 4 Identification of Confined Spaces Within a Workplace

4.1 Identification and Documentation of Confined Spaces.
4.2 Identification of Confined Spaces During Construction.
4.3 Determination of Confined Spaces.
4.4 Signs.
4.5 Securing Confined Spaces.
4.6 Identification of Spaces for Nonfacility Personnel.

Chapter 5 General

5.1 General Requirements.
5.2 Confined Space Program.
5.3 Confined Space Evaluation.
5.4 Entry Conditions.
5.5 Basic Requirements and Considerations.
5.6 Roles and Responsibilities.
5.7 Training Guidelines.
5.8 Training Verification.

Chapter 6 Identification and Evaluation of Hazards In and Around Confined Spaces

6.1 General.
6.2 Hazard Anticipation/Preplan.
6.3 Hazard Identification.
6.4 Hazard Evaluation.
6.5 Communications.
6.6 Resources.

Chapter 7 Atmospheric Monitoring

7.1 General.
7.2 Procedures for Atmospheric Monitoring.
7.3 Pre-Entry Testing.
7.4 Selection and Types of Monitors.
7.5 Other Monitor Types.
7.6 Intrinsic Safety.
7.7 Personal Monitoring Versus Remote Sampling.
7.8 Monitor Calibration
7.9 Zeroing.
7.10 Bump Testing.
7.11 Clearing Peak Values.
7.12 Training and Competency.
7.13 Continuous Atmospheric Monitoring.
7.14 Acceptable Atmospheric Limits for Entry.
7.15 Gas Monitor Maintenance.
7.16 Training.
7.17 Record Retention.

Chapter 8 Hazard Elimination, Mitigation, or Control

8.1 Purpose.
8.2 General.
8.3 Controls for Other Identified Hazards.
8.4 Chemical and Atmospheric Hazards.
8.5 Hot Work.
8.6 Energy Sources.
8.7 Portable Electrical and Mechanical Equipment Used in and Adjacent to Confined Spaces.
8.8 Bonding and Grounding for Flammable and Combustible Materials.
8.9 Ignition Sources.
8.10 Fall Protection.
8.11 Slip, Trip, Ingress, Egress, and Entanglement Hazards.
8.12 Lighting.
8.13 Animals and Insects.
8.14 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Chapter 9 Ventilation

9.1 General.
9.2 Ventilation Types.
9.3 Selection and Design of Ventilation.
9.4 Ventilation Equipment.
9.5 Ventilation Installation.
9.6 LimitationsConsideration in Selection of Ventilation.

Chapter 10 Rescue

10.1 Purpose.
10.2 Rescue Team Qualification.
10.3 Hazard Evaluation and Risk Assessments.
10.4 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
10.5 Regulatory Compliance.
10.6 Incident Response Planning.
10.7 Confined Space Rescue Equipment and Gear.
10.8 Incident Management System.
10.9 Rescue Team Composition.
10.10 Entry Rescue — Rescue Service Capabilities.

Chapter 11 Confined Space Personnel Duties, Responsibilities, Qualifications, and Competencies

11.1 General.
11.2 Entrants.
11.3 Attendant.
11.4 Entry Supervisor.
11.5 Rescuer.
11.6 Gas Tester.
11.7 Owner/Operator.
11.8 Contractor/Subcontractor.
11.9 Ventilation Specialist.
11.10 Isolation Specialist.
11.11 Standby Worker.
11.12 Training.

Chapter 12 Written Confined Space Program

12.1 Purpose.
12.2 Responsible Person and Responsibilities.
12.3 Reporting Unsafe Conditions.
12.4 Periodic Review.
12.5 Identification of Confined Spaces.
12.6 Program Procedures.
12.7 Atmospheric Monitoring.
12.8 Ventilation.
12.9 Rescue.
12.10 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
12.11 Isolation Program (Lockout/Tagout).
12.12 Hot/Cold Work.
12.13 Permits.
12.14 Training.
12.15 Recordkeeping.
12.16 Contractors.
12.17 Reporting of Accidents or Near Misses.
12.18 General Fitness for Duty Evaluation.

Chapter 13 Pre-Entry Evaluation and Entry Permit

13.1 General.
13.2 Pre-Entry Evaluation and Permit Elements.
13.3 Reclassification and Alternate Procedures.

Chapter 14 Recordkeeping

14.1 Purpose.
14.2 Employer Site Records.
14.3 Employee Records.

Chapter 15 Management of Change (MOC)

15.1 Purpose.
15.2 Responsibilities and Communication for Implementing MOC.
15.3 MOC Process and Activation.
15.4 MOC -Warranted Confined Space Changes.
15.5 MOC Completion and Verification.

Chapter 16 Prevention Through Design (PtD)

16.1 Purpose.
16.2 Background.
16.3 Responsibilities.
16.4 PtD Process and Activation.
16.5 PtD Warranted Confined Space Changes.

Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex B Sample Confined Space Pre-Entry Evaluation Form and Permit
Annex C OSHA Alternate Entry Procedures and Reclassification
Annex D Sample Management of Change (MOC) Form
Annex E Informational References

2016 Edition

Protect workers from life-threatening hazards using first-time NFPA 350, Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work.

Every year, confined space incidents result in worker deaths, injuries, and serious illnesses. The danger is widespread because all facilities can have confined spaces -- from commercial buildings and hospitals to public works, utilities, and chemical/industrial facilities. By law in the United States, employers must comply with applicable regulations such as OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.146 and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA to ensure personnel safety. However, these regulations tell you 'what' to do, not 'how' to identify, evaluate, and control confined space hazards or conduct rescue response. To fill the information gap, NFPA introduces NFPA 350, Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work.

This all-new Guide is essential for anyone who enters confines spaces, along with facility managers, code officials, and safety personnel.

NFPA 350 explains how to protect workers who enter into confined spaces for inspection or testing, or to perform associated work. Provisions address the full range of special hazards, including those present in water treatment, petrochemical, and agricultural facilities. It provides information to assist companies that need to comply with OSHA's Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146) among other standards. In addition, NFPA 350 helps fire service and emergency services personnel develop and evaluate plans for confined space rescue in conjunction with NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

Be prepared to recognize, evaluate, and control confined space entry hazards. Follow practices developed by experts for:

• Identification of confined spaces
• Evaluation of hazards
• Atmospheric monitoring
• Hazard elimination and control
• Ventilation
• Rescue and rescue planning
• Confined space personnel duties, responsibilities, and competencies
• Pre-entry evaluation forms and permits
• Management of Change (MOC)
• Prevention Through Design (PtD)

A milestone for worker safety, NFPA 350 helps companies reduce the risks posed to workers in and around confined spaces, while it serves to protect facilities, equipment, non–confined space personnel, and the public from injuries associated with confined space incidents. (Softbound, 2016)

NFPA® has created a 5-minute, online program to help employees identify confined spaces. Developed by Nancy Pearce, CIH, Senior Fire Protection Engineer and staff liaison to the NFPA 350 Technical Committee, this interactive program is a great resource for you to share. Plus the program serves as a preview of the format of the online training series. Click here to start the program.

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