Question

Additional training to work in permit spaces is required when one of what three factors is true?

1) The space contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
2) There is a configuration of the space that could trap or asphyxiate an entrant
3) There is a condition in the space that could cause an entrant to be engulfed by a material

Answer 1

Permit-required confined space training is mandatory for workers when there is a hazardous atmosphere, entrapment/asphyxiation configurations, or potential for material engulfment. Training includes using safety equipment and understanding OSHA's mandates on hazard communication and proactive hazard mitigation like proper ventilation and PPE.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the additional training requirements for workers who operate in permit-required confined spaces, as outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When a worker is expected to enter a permit space that has one or more of the following conditions, they are required to receive additional training: 1) the presence or potential presence of a hazardous atmosphere, 2) configurations that could trap or asphyxiate an entrant, and 3) conditions that could lead to engulfment by materials. Proper training would involve understanding how to use safety equipment, such as the usage of fume hoods and respirators, provided by employers to mitigate these risks. More specifically, employers are required by OSHA to inform workers about chemical hazards through training, labels, and other methods. Employers must also actively seek to eliminate or reduce hazards before relying on personal protective equipment (PPE), such as by switching to safer chemicals or improving ventilation.