Confined Space Entry and Access

Research, Environmental Health and Safety   |   Approved May 14, 2015

Purpose

Receive approval, training, and appropriate permits for confined spaces at UMB.

Applicability

This instruction applies to confined spaces on campus and the permit process associated with access to those areas at University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).  All work in confined spaces, to include work performed by contractors, must be coordinated with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defined a confined space as an enclosed space that:

1. Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
2. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and
3. Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. 

 For more information on this program see EHS’s Confined Space website.

Instructions

1. Review location and personnel that need access to confined space,
2. Call EHS at 6-7055 for an initial review of the location and personnel involved.
3. EHS will evaluate the situation and access the training needs.  EHS will conduct a site visit and review space for airborne and physical hazards prior to entry. 
4. Generally EHS should be onsite when work occurs.
5. EHS will issue permit and determine scope and expiration.