Confined Spaces UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Introduction - CORRECT ANSWER - The possibility of the occurrence of confined spaces
at hazardous waste sites should not be overlooked. Entering a confined space can be deadly. It is
important to recognize confined spaces and to distinguish confined spaces from permit-required
confined spaces. Employees must be made aware of the existence of confined spaces at
hazardous waste sites.
Prior to Entering a Confined Space - CORRECT ANSWER - Before entering a confined
space, a review of the specific guidelines for appropriate safe entry and emergency exit is vital.
Actual entry into a confined space should only be allowed after the following has taken place:
All entrants and attendants have received proper training and equipment.
The designated authority on-site has issued the proper permit.
The appropriate PPE is in place and utilized.
OSHA's required procedures have been put into effect, especially the "buddy system.
A preliminary evaluation of the site's characteristics must be performed prior to site entry. A
secondary more detailed evaluation must be conducted to further identify existing hazards to aid
in the selection of appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) for
future site activities. The evaluation must include all suspected conditions that are immediately
dangerous to life or health (IDLH) or that may cause serious harm to employees (e.g., confined
space entry, potentially explosive or flammable situations, visible vapor clouds, etc.).
Permit-Required Confined Space Entry - CORRECT ANSWER - As the name implies, a
work permit is required prior to entering a permit space. Common types of spaces that would
require permits include storage tanks, process vessels, silos, vaults, storage bins, hoppers, ship
compartments, exhaust ducts, sewers, tunnels, and boilers. A space does not have to be enclosed
to be considered a permit-required confined space. Pits, trenches, and open-topped vats also fit
the OSHA description since they may have limited means of entry and exit, and are not intended
for habitation, and could possess hazardous atmospheres.
, OSHA has determined that individuals who enter permit-required confined spaces are at a
significant risk of death or injury. Therefore, all permit-required confined spaces are to be
considered dangerous until proven otherwise
Permit System - CORRECT ANSWER - To ensure the safety of the individual entering the
confined space, the permit system has been devised. In reality, the permit is a mandatory
checklist of the precautionary measures that need to be taken before entry.
It is mandatory that an employer implement a functional permit program if a permit-required
confined space is on the premises. Before entry is authorized, the employer must document:
Measures that have been implemented to prevent unauthorized entry.
Hazards that have been identified and evaluated before employee entry.
The means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations and show
these to have been developed and implemented.
Entry Permit OSHA Guidelines - CORRECT ANSWER - Usually a company or
municipality will develop its own format for the permit. OSHA provides the following guidelines
on what needs to be documented on an entry permit:
The permit space to be entered
The purpose of the entry
The date and the authorized duration of the entry permit
The authorized entrants by name, or by a means that will allow the attendant to determine
quickly and accurately which authorized attendants are within the space
The personnel, by name, serving as attendants
The individual, by name, serving as entry supervisor, with a space for the signature or initials of
the entry supervisor who originally authorized entry
The individual, who authorizes the entry, must sign the permit. This identifies the party
responsible should any problem arise during entry. It is assumed that the affixing of one's
signature to the permit will insure that the permit process has been taken seriously and that all
protective measures are actually in place. Permits have a definite duration of effect and are
canceled when the entry is over. This will assure that all entrants and their equipment have exited
the space before the space is returned to its normal state. A permit is also canceled when an
emergency develops and/or an evacuation of the space is necessitated.
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Introduction - CORRECT ANSWER - The possibility of the occurrence of confined spaces
at hazardous waste sites should not be overlooked. Entering a confined space can be deadly. It is
important to recognize confined spaces and to distinguish confined spaces from permit-required
confined spaces. Employees must be made aware of the existence of confined spaces at
hazardous waste sites.
Prior to Entering a Confined Space - CORRECT ANSWER - Before entering a confined
space, a review of the specific guidelines for appropriate safe entry and emergency exit is vital.
Actual entry into a confined space should only be allowed after the following has taken place:
All entrants and attendants have received proper training and equipment.
The designated authority on-site has issued the proper permit.
The appropriate PPE is in place and utilized.
OSHA's required procedures have been put into effect, especially the "buddy system.
A preliminary evaluation of the site's characteristics must be performed prior to site entry. A
secondary more detailed evaluation must be conducted to further identify existing hazards to aid
in the selection of appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) for
future site activities. The evaluation must include all suspected conditions that are immediately
dangerous to life or health (IDLH) or that may cause serious harm to employees (e.g., confined
space entry, potentially explosive or flammable situations, visible vapor clouds, etc.).
Permit-Required Confined Space Entry - CORRECT ANSWER - As the name implies, a
work permit is required prior to entering a permit space. Common types of spaces that would
require permits include storage tanks, process vessels, silos, vaults, storage bins, hoppers, ship
compartments, exhaust ducts, sewers, tunnels, and boilers. A space does not have to be enclosed
to be considered a permit-required confined space. Pits, trenches, and open-topped vats also fit
the OSHA description since they may have limited means of entry and exit, and are not intended
for habitation, and could possess hazardous atmospheres.
, OSHA has determined that individuals who enter permit-required confined spaces are at a
significant risk of death or injury. Therefore, all permit-required confined spaces are to be
considered dangerous until proven otherwise
Permit System - CORRECT ANSWER - To ensure the safety of the individual entering the
confined space, the permit system has been devised. In reality, the permit is a mandatory
checklist of the precautionary measures that need to be taken before entry.
It is mandatory that an employer implement a functional permit program if a permit-required
confined space is on the premises. Before entry is authorized, the employer must document:
Measures that have been implemented to prevent unauthorized entry.
Hazards that have been identified and evaluated before employee entry.
The means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations and show
these to have been developed and implemented.
Entry Permit OSHA Guidelines - CORRECT ANSWER - Usually a company or
municipality will develop its own format for the permit. OSHA provides the following guidelines
on what needs to be documented on an entry permit:
The permit space to be entered
The purpose of the entry
The date and the authorized duration of the entry permit
The authorized entrants by name, or by a means that will allow the attendant to determine
quickly and accurately which authorized attendants are within the space
The personnel, by name, serving as attendants
The individual, by name, serving as entry supervisor, with a space for the signature or initials of
the entry supervisor who originally authorized entry
The individual, who authorizes the entry, must sign the permit. This identifies the party
responsible should any problem arise during entry. It is assumed that the affixing of one's
signature to the permit will insure that the permit process has been taken seriously and that all
protective measures are actually in place. Permits have a definite duration of effect and are
canceled when the entry is over. This will assure that all entrants and their equipment have exited
the space before the space is returned to its normal state. A permit is also canceled when an
emergency develops and/or an evacuation of the space is necessitated.
