Posted: Feb 8 '13
A confined space entry permit is a legislation-required document that sets out the work to be done in a confined space and the precautions that must be taken before anyone enters. It exists to make sure every aspect of the entry has been considered and planned for in advance, and it functions much like a safety checklist to ensure nothing gets overlooked. Contact MI Safety today for confined space entry and monitor training that will help you complete these permits correctly.
In Alberta, Part 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code sets out the requirements for a confined space entry permit. Since confined space work happens across so many industries, including power generation, industrial services, oil and gas, and commercial or industrial construction, the government has chosen to give general requirements and let each employer decide how best to apply them to their specific worksite. Each company follows the best practices for its industry and is held accountable to them.
This approach means that no two permits will look exactly alike from one industry or worksite to the next, but the underlying purpose stays the same. A properly completed permit demonstrates that every hazard associated with the entry has been identified and that appropriate controls are in place before a single worker sets foot in the space.
Before a worker can enter a confined space, a permit and plan must be completed. At minimum, it should include:
Calibration of monitoring equipment should ideally happen just before each confined space entry. If that isn't possible, follow the equipment manufacturer's guidelines for calibration frequency.
The permit also needs to account for the code of practice requirements covering entering, working in, and exiting the confined space. This includes the emergency response plan, which should list the training required of rescuers, the equipment they'll need, the steps involved in conducting a rescue, and a requirement that rescuers complete a pre-rescue hazard assessment before acting. Having this plan in place before entry, rather than figuring it out during an emergency, is what makes the difference when something goes wrong.
Once completed, the entry permit should be posted at the confined space and remain there until the work is finished. Depending on the site and the nature of the work, that often means posting the permit at each entry point into the confined space so it's visible to everyone involved. If the job covers more than one shift, the permit's valid time should reflect the estimated time needed to complete the work, and that timeframe needs to be written on the permit itself.
Employers are required to keep a copy of the completed permit on file for one year if no incidents occurred, or for two years if an incident did occur. Before any worker enters the space, the employer has an obligation to make sure the paperwork is properly completed, signed by a competent person, and kept readily available to everyone affected at the job site.
An entry permit is considered expired if any of the following occur:
If a permit expires for any of these reasons, a new one must be issued before anyone can re-enter the confined space. That said, if a hazard assessment has been performed for a representative sample of identical confined spaces, one entry permit can be used to cover all of them, which can simplify paperwork on larger sites without compromising safety.
Every site you work on should provide a site-specific orientation covering its own practices and procedures, and workers are obligated to follow those requirements in addition to what's on the permit. Confined space training and other recognized health and safety training help ensure that workers understand not just how to fill out a permit correctly, but why each section matters and how to stay safe for the full duration of the job. A permit is only as good as the understanding behind it, and that understanding comes from proper training rather than simply following a template.
Being a competent worker starts with proper training. MI Safety's AAE Safety CSSTA Confined Space Entry, Monitor and Rescue course prepares workers and attendants to understand the legislative requirements, complete a permit correctly, and respond effectively if an emergency happens on site. The course covers both the paperwork and the practical judgment needed to apply it correctly on a real worksite, which is what separates a permit that looks complete from one that actually protects the people relying on it.
Writing a confined space entry permit correctly takes more than filling in blanks. It requires understanding the hazards involved and the training to back it up. Contact MI Safety in the Greater Edmonton Area today to register your team for confined space entry and monitor training, and make sure every permit your workers rely on holds up when it matters most.
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