February
Permit Required Confined Space Safety
Confined space incidents remain among the most dangerous and deadly events in industry. What makes them especially tragic is that many injuries and fatalities occur not only to workers performing the task, but to those attempting rescue.
This four-week curriculum is designed to slow decision-making, clarify roles, expose hidden hazards, and reinforce the discipline required to safely plan and perform confined space work. Rather than relying on experience or assumptions, the training emphasizes recognition, hazard control, communication, and permit-driven systems that remove emotion from high-risk situations.
Each week builds on the last, guiding employees from identification to execution, with the goal of preventing unplanned entries, atmospheric exposures, and multiple-fatality events.
WEEK 1
Identifying Confined Spaces: Stop Before You Enter
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Week 1 focuses on recognizing confined spaces and understanding why hesitation matters. Employees learn how to identify spaces that are enclosed, have limited entry or exit, and are not designed for continuous human occupancy—regardless of size or appearance.
The training reinforces the importance of stopping to evaluate unfamiliar spaces, understanding when entry actually occurs, and recognizing that hazards are often invisible. By the end of the week, employees should be able to pause, ask the right questions, and avoid entering a space until it has been properly evaluated.
Multiple Guess 1. Which feature is the best indicator that a space may be a confined space? A. It requires PPE B. It is enclosed or partially enclosed C. It contains equipment D. It is dirty or cluttered 2. A space can be considered a confined space even if it is large. Why? A. Size does not determine airflow B. Size does not determine hazard level C. Size does not determine entry difficulty D. Size does not determine whether it is designed for occupancy 3. Which condition turns a confined space into a permit-required confined space? A. Limited lighting B. Presence or potential for hazardous conditions C. Need for fall protection D. Use of tools inside the space 4. Which example would most likely require an employee to stop and evaluate before entry? A. Open loading dock B. Mechanical room with two doors C. Utility vault accessed through a hatch D. Scaffold platform 5. According to OSHA, entry into a confined space occurs when: A. Both feet are inside B. Work activities begin C. Any part of the body crosses the opening D. Permit is signed 6. Why are confined space hazards often underestimated? A. Develop slowly B. Always visible C. Not always obvious D. Only underground Limited Response A confined space is not designed for continuous _______ occupancy. Confined space entry occurs when any part of the _________ crosses the opening. Discussion Questions Why does OSHA emphasize stopping to identify the space instead of relying on past experience?
WEEK 2
Confined Space Roles: Authority, Responsibility, and Discipline
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Week 2 emphasizes the defined roles required for permit-required confined space entry: authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, and rescue personnel. Employees learn why these roles exist, what each role is responsible for, and—just as importantly—what each role must never do.
The training highlights how role confusion and emotional decision-making lead to fatalities, particularly during rescue attempts. Clear authority, communication, and discipline are reinforced as critical controls that prevent instinct-driven actions and unplanned entries.
Multiple Guess 1.Which responsibility belongs to the entry supervisor? A.Monitoring entrants continuously B.Maintaining head count of entrants C.Verifying acceptable entry conditions D.Wearing required PPE 2.If an entrant becomes dizzy or disoriented, what is the correct action? A.Request additional ventilation and continue B.Exit the space immediately C.Sit down and notify the attendant D.Finish the task quickly 3.Which action is prohibited for an attendant? A.Maintaining communication B.Ordering evacuation C.Performing other tasks while monitoring entry D.Keeping unauthorized employees away 4.When must the entry supervisor terminate entry? A.When work takes longer than planned B.When the entrant requests it C.When conditions no longer meet permit requirements D.When a break is taken 5.Which responsibility belongs only to the authorized entrant? A.Controlling unauthorized access B.Verifying acceptable entry conditions C.Recognizing signs and symptoms of exposure D.Ordering evacuation 6.Which statement best describes the attendant’s primary responsibility? A.Assist the entrant with tools B.Monitor conditions and control entry C.Perform atmospheric testing D.Direct rescue operations inside the space Limited Response The employee who enters a confined space to perform work is called the authorized __________. The attendant must remain __________ the confined space at all times during entry. The entry supervisor is responsible for verifying acceptable __________ conditions before entry. Discussion Question Why does OSHA strictly prohibit attendants from entering a confined space, even during an emergency? How can clearly defined roles help prevent emotional or instinct-driven decisions during a confined space incident?
WEEK 3
Dangerous Atmospheres and Physical Hazards
Week 3 addresses the hazards that make confined spaces especially deadly, with a strong focus on atmospheric dangers. Employees learn about flammable, toxic, oxygen-deficient, and oxygen-enriched atmospheres, and why these hazards cannot be detected by human senses.
The training also covers physical hazards such as engulfment, moving equipment, electrical energy, and temperature extremes, emphasizing how confined spaces amplify risk. Proper testing, retesting, ventilation, and continuous monitoring are reinforced as essential safeguards—especially before re-entry after breaks.​​​​
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Multiple Guess 1.Which control prevents unexpected movement of equipment inside a confined space? A.Barricading B.Lockout/Tagout C.Ventilation D.Monitoring 2.If testing indicates a dangerous atmosphere, what must be done? A.Enter with PPE B.Increase ventilation and proceed C.Do not enter until ventilation and testing confirm safe air D.Enter briefly to identify source 3.Which statement best reflects OSHA’s position on using human senses to detect dangerous atmospheres? A.Smell is reliable B.Taste can indicate contamination C.Hearing can detect pressure D.Human senses cannot be relied upon 4.Why must atmospheric testing be conducted at multiple levels within a confined space? A.Sensors require verification B.Gases stratify based on weight C.OSHA requires duplicate testing D.Ventilation effectiveness varies 5.Which atmospheric condition is considered immediately unsafe for confined space entry? A.Oxygen at 20.9% B.Oxygen at 19.5% C.Oxygen below 19.5% D.Oxygen above 21% 6.An entrant exits a confined space for lunch. What is required before re-entry? A.Resume work if ventilation is running B.Re-enter if no alarms occurred C.Retest the atmosphere D.Proceed if permit is posted 7.Which type of atmosphere can cause loss of judgment and unconsciousness without warning? A.Flammable B.Toxic C.Oxygen-deficient D.Oxygen-enriched 8.Which physical hazard presents greater risk inside a confined space than outside? A.Noise B.Fire C.Slips D.Poor lighting Limited Response An oxygen-deficient atmosphere contains less than __________ percent oxygen. Some gases are heavier than air and may collect near the __________ of a confined space. If you leave a confined space for a break, the atmosphere must be __________ before re-entry. Discussion Questions Why do dangerous atmospheres often lead to multiple fatalities in confined spaces? How can proper testing, ventilation, and discipline prevent instinct-driven rescue attempts?
WEEK 4
The Entry Permit: Removing Guesswork and Emotion
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Week 4 brings all previous lessons together through the confined space entry permit. Employees learn how the permit functions as a decision-making system that documents hazards, controls, roles, communication methods, rescue planning, and acceptable entry conditions.
The training emphasizes permit scope, duration, re-entry requirements, and when a new permit is required. Special focus is placed on how permits prevent emotional responses during emergencies by establishing expectations and controls before entry begins. The week concludes with the message that safe confined space work is never improvised! It is planned.
Multiple Guess 1.How long is a confined space entry permit valid? A.Until work is complete B.One shift C.24 hours D.One calendar day 2.Who is responsible for completing and authorizing the entry permit? A.Authorized entrant B.Attendant C.Entry supervisor D.Rescue personnel 3.Why does the permit system help prevent emotional rescue attempts? A.It assigns rescue duties in advance B.It establishes roles, controls, and decision-making before entry C.It speeds up emergency response D.It limits who can communicate during entry 4.Why are canceled entry permits retained for at least one year? A.To meet recordkeeping requirements B.To document lessons learned and hazards encountered C.To track productivity D.To support payroll audits 5.Before re-entry on the same shift, which requirement must be met? A.Supervisor approval only B.Atmospheric testing within acceptable limits C.Ventilation running D.Permit reposted 6.What is the primary purpose of a confined space entry permit? A.To document OSHA compliance B.To guide systematic hazard evaluation and control C.To track time spent in the space D.To authorize rescue operations Limited Response The confined space entry permit is only valid for __________ shift. A new permit is required whenever changing work conditions introduce new __________. Atmospheric testing results must be within acceptable __________ before entry or re-entry. Discussion How does the confined space entry permit help remove emotion and instinct from emergency situations? What risks could occur if work continues after conditions change but the permit is not updated?
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