--- title: STS Safety Blog | Safety Training Services | confined space hazards description: confined space hazards | Safety Training Services, Inc. Blog of relevant OSHA safety news & advice! --- - [STS Homepage](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/) - [Contact STS](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/contact-sts/contact-us) - [STS Safety Blog](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog) [![Safety Training Services Inc. 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While these are, hopefully, giving you site specific safety information let's focus on one often repeated misconception about confined spaces. If you work on, in, around, or near confined spaces you're familiar with the roles involved - attendant, entrant, supervisor ![Confined Space Attendant](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Confined_Space_Attendant-Training.jpg?width=320&name=Confined_Space_Attendant-Training.jpg "Confined Space Attendant") - and you know their functions and responsibilities. Generally speaking, in a permit-required confined space operation the supervisor supervises, the entrant makes entry, and the confined space attendant does nothing but attend, right? What most programs will state is that the attendant is responsible for monitoring the safety of the workers working inside the confined space. The attendant is responsible for log-keeping, air monitoring, summoning help, and maybe even attempting non-entry rescue. Some of these subjects vary in their teachings and to what extent you're permitted or required to do them. One thing they always agree on, THE ATTENDANT NEVER ENTERS THE SPACE! This information is true, to some degree. OSHA requires an attendant and the attendant is responsible for everyone inside, but, when you investigate the confined space standard an attendant is allowed to enter a space. ### In the standard, 1910.146, it states: #### *"Attendant" means an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all attendant's duties assigned in the employer's permit space program.* **1910.146(i)(4) gives a seldom-mentioned exception to the rule of "an attendant never enters:"** **NOTE:** *When the employer's permit entry program allows attendant entry for rescue, attendants may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue if they have been trained and equipped for rescue operations as required by paragraph (k)(1) of this section and if they have been relieved as required by paragraph (i)(4) of this section.* While this is not drastically different from what you may know, it is important to know that an attendant is, under specific conditions, permitted to make entry. I have yet to see this procedure as part of a confined space program in the real world but it doesn't mean it is impractical or without merit. If your attendant is trained and equipped for rescue, and they've been relieved by a competently trained attendant, they could enter to initiate patient treatment or extraction. A problem in relying upon this method of rescue would be locating a second attendant. It is more expedient to have an attendant and rescuer(s) present at the confined space job site, but if this is your cost-effective consideration you may have shortened the length of time it takes to rescue the entrant.  --- If you are looking for more information on [confined spaces](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/bid/359029/enter-by-permit-only-13-confined-space-hazards-that-can-kill), [confined space training](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/cse-training), or if you are looking to hire a [confined space attendant](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/field/csattendant) or a confined space rescue team, contact Safety Training Services today! [![Contact Safety Training Services Today!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/166569/bbd5697b-67be-48f3-9300-7922fac85403.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/166569/bbd5697b-67be-48f3-9300-7922fac85403) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/exception-to-the-rule-confined-space-attendant#comments-listing) Tags: [confined space attendant training](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space-attendant-training), [confined space hazards](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space-hazards), [confined space training](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space-training), [confined space attendant](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space-attendant), [confined space](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space) ## [Enter By Permit Only: 13 Confined Space Hazards That Can Kill](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/bid/359029/enter-by-permit-only-13-confined-space-hazards-that-can-kill) Posted by [Joshua Fleishman](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/author/joshua-fleishman) on Mon, Dec 29, 2014 @ 01:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) A "confined space" as defined by OSHA, is a space that is large enough so that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work, has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Examples include (but are not limited to) boilers, tanks, vessels, stills, silos, mixers, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, vats, and pits. ![Permit required confined space entry](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/hs-fs/file-2269902681-png/images/confined-space-sign.png?width=325&height=204&name=confined-space-sign.png)A permit required confined space is a confined space that requires a special permit to enter. These usually contain (or have the potential to contain) a hazardous atmosphere, an engulfment or entrapment hazard, or physical hazards. If any other serious safety or health hazard are present, it may also be classified as permit-required. Some companies even take a step further than the OSHA requirements and choose to treat every confined space onsite as a permit required confined space and follow all processes and procedures pertaining to those types of entries.  Confined spaces are considered one of the deadliest places in the workplace because of the potential for danger. Many different types of hazards are found in confined spaces. Atmospheric issues can arise, which aren't always apparent. Oxygen is a basic necessity for life, but if there is too much or too little in a confined space, atmospheres can become deadly. Flammable or toxic gases/vapors are sometimes invisible to smell or see, and without proper equipment you would not be able to tell otherwise. Residue of previous chemicals can be left behind, the configuration of the space, the nature of the work, external hazards, and even outside hazards (animals, insects, noise, etc.) are examples of potential dangers surrounding confined spaces and why they are considered dangerous. Confined spaces are also prone to changes in the level of safety at any given time. Perfectly normal, common work conditions can quickly turn into an IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) atmosphere with some help from the hazards listed. # Confined Space Hazard Types - #### **Oxygen Rich** - #### **Oxygen Deficient** - #### **Flammable Vapors/Gases** - #### **Toxic Atmospheres** - #### **Corrosive Atmospheres** - #### **Physical Hazards** - #### **Mechanical Hazards** - #### **Surface Hazards** - #### **Noise Hazards** - #### **Vibration Hazards** - #### **Engulfment Hazards** - #### **Temperature Hazards** - #### **Electrical Hazards** ![confined space training at safety training services](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/hs-fs/file-777998626-jpg/images/dsc_0041-resized-600.jpg?width=350&height=234&name=dsc_0041-resized-600.jpg) --- ## ALWAYS REMEMBER TO LOCK AND TAG OUT EVERYTHING THAT COULD MOVE AND INJURE WORKERS! --- ## Confined Space Rescue Where a system of entry permits is in place, a rescue plan is required. It will list the personnel and equipment required to be at the worksite before entry is allowed. Special equipment such as tripod hoists, harnesses, and others may be required to extricate a worker from a toxic environment, without unduly endangering rescue personnel. Whether you are looking for confined space training or rescue, Safety Training Services is here to assist you! Find more information on our confined space training class via our [Training Services Page](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/training/training-services/) or if you are interested in our Stand-by Rescue Teams, check out our [Rescue Services Page](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/field/field-services) for more information! 3 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/bid/359029/enter-by-permit-only-13-confined-space-hazards-that-can-kill#comments-listing) Tags: [confined space hazards](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space-hazards), [confined space training](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space-training), [confined space rescue](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/topic/confined-space-rescue) [All posts](https://www.safetytrainingservices.net/sts-blog/all) ### Subscribe via E-mail ### Follow STS on social media ### Most Popular Posts © 2026. 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