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Safety Policies & Programs


Confined Space Entry

Policy Key Points

 
  • A confined space is an area that is:
    • Large enough and configured so a person can enter and perform assigned work,
    • Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit,
    • Is not designed for continuous human occupancy   
  • Examples of Confined Spaces
    • Vessels and tanks
    • Storage bins
    • Silos
    • Hoppers
    • Vaults
    • Pits

    NOTE: Doorways and portals through which a person can walk are not considered "limited means for entry or exit". Therefore, rooms such as storage closets are not considered a confined space.


  • Some confined spaces require a permit to enter. These are called Permit Required Confined Spaces.
  • A Permit Required Confined Space is defined by having any of the following:
    • Contains or potentially contains a hazardous atmosphere
    • Contains a material that has the possibility of engulfing someone
    • Has a configuration where someone could get trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller section,
    • Contains any other recognized serious safety and health hazard 

  • Yaskawa associates ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER a Permit Required Confined Space

Policy

Confined Space Entry

Purpose and Scope of Policy

This Confined Space Entry Policy outlines the minimum requirements for preparation and entry into confined spaces in order to protect personnel from hazards associated with these environments.

For Yaskawa associates performing field service, our customer’s Confined Space Entry Procedure may be used in lieu of this procedure if it meets or exceeds the requirements herein.

Under no circumstances, shall a Yaskawa associate enter a “Permit Required Confined Space.” This includes field service.

Confined Space Hazards

Permit required confined spaces have hazards that can lead to death without warning. Yaskawa associates are not permitted to enter a Permit Required Confined Space. This includes associates attempting to rescue a person who is inside of a permit required confined space.

  • Mechanical equipment which may be defective or which may be inadvertently activated,
  • Electric shock from energized equipment, portable lights, or portable tools,
  • Toxic vapors from residue or produced by the work being performed,
  • Acids, corrosives, other harmful chemicals, or steam which was in the confined space, or released into the space while work is in progress,
  • Flammable gas vapors which may be ignited by tools or static electricity,
  • Oxygen deficiency or oxygen enrichment, 
  •  Physical hazards created by space restrictions, smooth wet walking surfaces, and limited maneuverability,
  •  Material which has the potential for engulfing an entrant

Rescue

  • Entering a permit required confined space is extremely dangerous. Many people have been killed attempting to rescue someone from a permit required confined space.
  • In the event that a Yaskawa associate comes across a person in need, while that person is in a permit required confined space, the Yaskawa associate shall call 911.

    • Under no circumstance shall the Yaskawa associate attempt a confined space rescue.


Field Service

Field service that requires permit required confined space entry shall be contracted out to companies trained and experienced in permit-required confined space entry.


Additional Resources

Hazards of Confined Spaces Video


OSHA Confined Space Guide


Records Related to this Policy

Record Retained by Retention Time
None N/A N/A

Revision History

Rev # Description Release Date Approved by
0 Conversion of old safety documents, rewrite, and issue 5/14/2016 Thurwanger
1 Removed Cypress as a location 1/21/2022 Thurwanger

Program Review

Review Date Reviewed by Changes Required (Yes/No) Revision # if updated
2/15/2017 Thurwanger No
1/10/2018 Thurwanger No
1/17/2019 Thurwanger No
1/9/2020 Thurwanger No
1/19/2021 Thurwanger No
1/13/2022 Thurwanger Yes 1
1/26/2023 Thurwanger No
1/11/2024 Thurwanger No
1/16/2025 Thurwanger No

Policy Video

Confined Space Flow Chart