National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH 87-113 A guide to Safety in Confined Spaces

Question 1

What are three characteristics that can be used to identify a confined space? How many of these characteristics must be present for an area to be considered a confined space? (NIOSH, Page 1)
a)

b)

c)

Answer 1

Not designed for continous occupancy, just big enough to enter and work

May have hazards that put life or safety in danger
Limited enter and exit

Question 2

2. What three types of hazardous atmospheres can result from the lack of natural air movement in a confined space? (NIOSH, Page 4)
   a)

b)

c)

Answer 2

Oxygen deficient
Flammable
Toxic

Question 3

3. Most substances in a confined space should be considered hazardous. What are three possible sources for toxic substances in a confined space? (NIOSH, Page 6)
   a)

b)

c)

Answer 3

Product stored in tank
work being done
areas adjacent to confined space

Question 4

4. When testing a confined space for the presence of a hazardous atmosphere, what areas of the confined space must be tested? Why is this so? (NIOSH, Page 7)

Answer 4

top middle bottom because some gases are lighter than air and will accumulate at top and so on

Question 5

5. What must be done before workers enter a confined space that has been found to be oxygen deficient, or containing toxic gases or vapors. (NIOSH, Page 7)

Answer 5

ventilated and retested

Question 6

6. What is meant by the term “isolation of a confined space”? What are some common ways that isolation of a confined space can be accomplished? (NIOSH, Page 9)

Answer 6

lock out
blanketing and bleeding
disconnecting
securing

Question 7

What type of respirators should be used in confined spaces where there is not enough oxygen? (NIOSH, Page 10)

Answer 7

air supplying

Question 8

What are more than 50 percent of the workers who die in confined spaces attempting to do? (NIOSH, Page 12)

Answer 8

rescue other workers

Question 9

6. What types of information must be provided on each Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? (OSHA, 29CFR1910.1200(g)(2)(i to xii))

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

h)

i)

j)

k)

l)

Question 10

7. What is the definition of a “responsible party”? (OSHA, 29CFR 1910.1200(c))

Question 11

8. What is a “self-reactive chemical”? (OSHA, 29CFR 1910.1200B.8.1

Question 12

9. What is an “oxidizing liquid”? (OSHA, 29CFR 1910.1200B.13)