navmc dir 5100.8 marine corps occupational safety and ... - US Navy

MARCOR OSH PROGRAM MANUALCHAPTER 14CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM14000. DISCUSSION1. Confined Spaces. Confined spaces are enclosures that havelimited means of entry and exit, and although they are largeenough to get into, they are not designed for continuousoccupancy. Confined spaces are found in garrison and fieldenvironments. Every year, over a million and a half workersenter confined spaces. Many are seriously injured or killed asa result of asphyxiation, electric shock, heat stress, orengulfment by earth, liquids, or other organic materials.Commanders have at their disposal safety professionals that canevaluate and test areas that are questionable. Per 29 CFR1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces, the Marine Corps musthave a confined space entry program (non-maritime). Examples ofsuch spaces include sumps, chemical cleaning tanks, degreasers,industrial ventilation ducts, chlorine storage areas, storagetanks, pits, boilers, fuel cells, sewers, underground utilityvaults, tunnels, and manholes. Hazards encountered in thesespaces are often compounded by poor illumination. The followingcharacteristics define a confined space:a. Not designed for routine human occupancy.b. Large enough for bodily entry.c. Has restricted access or exit.NOTE: A confined space does not have to be a covered enclosure,hence, trenches deeper than 4 feet are also confinedspaces.2. Permit-Required Confined Space. Confined spaces with oneor more of the following characteristics meet the OSHAdefinition of a permit-required confined space (PRCS) and anentry permit must be issued before personnel may enter:14-3