Figure 2: Shipyard Competent Person testing a confined space before cold work begins.

1. Oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched atmospheres
2. Flammable atmospheres
3. Toxic atmospheres

Test records must be posted near the work being done and be available for inspection for a period of three months (for OSHA, workers, supervisors, and so forth).

• Oxygen concentrations between 19.5 percent and 22.0 percent by volume. [29 CFR 1915.12]
• Flammable gas and vapor concentrations less than 10 percent of the Lower Explosive Limits (LEL). [29 CFR 1915.12]
• Toxic vapor, gas, and particulate concentrations less than the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) (8-hour time-weighted average PELs). [29 CFR 1915.12]

An employee may not enter a space in which the oxygen content by volume is less than 19.5 percent or more than 22.0 percent except for emergency rescue or for a short duration in order to install necessary ventilation equipment, provided that:

• The oxygen content within the space is monitored continually by volume. [29 CFR 1915.12(a)(3)]
• Respiratory protection and other appropriate PPE and clothing are provided in accordance with the PPE section of 29 CFR 1915. [29 CFR 1915.12(a)(3)]

An employee may not enter a space in which the concentration of flammable vapors or gases is equal to, or greater than 10 percent of the LEL, except for emergency rescue or for a short duration in order to install necessary ventilation equipment, provided that:

• No ignition sources are present.
• The atmosphere in the space is monitored continuously. [29 CFR 1915.12(b)(3)]
• Atmospheres at or above the upper explosive limit (UEL) are maintained. [29 CFR 1915.12(b)(3)]
• Respiratory protection and other appropriate PPE and clothing are provided in accordance with the PPE section of 29 CFR 1915. [29 CFR 1915.12(b)(3)]

An employee may not enter a space in which the concentration exceeds a PEL or is immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), except for emergency rescue or for a short duration in order to install necessary ventilation equipment, provided that:

• The oxygen content within the space is monitored continually by volume. [29 CFR 1915.12(c)(3)]
• Respiratory protection and other appropriate PPE and clothing are provided in accordance with the PPE section of 29 CFR 1915. [29 CFR 1915.12(c)(3)]

Figure 3: Shipyard Competent Person testing a confined space before entry.


Figure 4: Testing and visual inspection
ensure atmospheric conditions within the space are maintained after the certificate is issued.
Figure 5: Rudder



Figure 6: Testing equipment.


Figure 7: Sample Competent Person Record.

• Ability to carry out instructions and perform tests as directed by the Marine Chemist.
  
• Understanding of appropriate 29 CFR 1915 standards.
• Knowledge about the structure, location, and spaces in which work is performed.
  
• Ability to perform tests, calibrate and use test equipment, interpret test results, and maintain test records.
  
• Ability to inspect, test, evaluate spaces, and determine the need for further evaluation by a CIH or CMC.

A Shipyard Competent Person (SCP) is qualified to perform the following tasks:

• Visually inspect and test the following spaces to determine the atmosphere's oxygen content before employees enter the space. [29 CFR 1915.12(a)(1)]
  • Spaces that have been sealed.
  • Spaces containing, or that have previously contained, combustible or flammable liquids or gases.
  • Spaces containing or that have previously contained liquids, gases, or solids that are toxic, corrosive, or irritating.
  • Spaces that have been fumigated.
  • Spaces that contain, or that have previously contained, materials or residues of materials that create an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
    
• Visually inspect spaces containing, or that have previously contained, combustible or flammable liquids or gases before employees enter the spaces to:
  • Determine the presence of combustible or flammable liquids within these spaces.
  • Test to determine the concentration of flammable vapors and gases within these spaces. [29 CFR 1915.12(b)(1)]
    
• Visually inspect spaces containing, or that have previously contained liquids, gases or solids that are toxic, corrosive, or irritating before employees enter the space to:
  • Determine toxic, corrosive, or irritant residues within these spaces.
  • Test air concentrations for toxic, corrosive, or irritant materials within these spaces. [29 CFR 1915.12(c)(1)]
    
• Test spaces before hot work and ensure that no concentrations of flammable vapors equal to or greater than 10 percent of the LEL exist: [29 CFR 1915.14(b)]
  • Dry cargo holds.
  • Bilges
  • Engine and boiler room spaces where a CMC or CGAP certificate is not required
  • Vessels and vessel sections for which a CMC or CGAP certificate is not require.

• Visually inspect and test each space certified as "Safe for Workers" or "Safe for Hot Work" as often as necessary to ensure that atmospheric conditions within these spaces is maintained within the conditions established by the certificate, after the certificate has been issued. [29 CFR 1915.15(c)]
• Determine the flammability of preservative coatings on any surface before welding, cutting, or heating is performed. [29 CFR 1915.53(b)]
• Test the atmosphere for explosive vapors in spaces in which the metals are coated with soft and greasy preservatives before and immediately after beginning welding, cutting, or heating. [29 CFR 1915.53(e)(1) and 29 CFR 1915.53(f)].
• Visually inspect structural voids such as skegs, bilge keels, fair waters, masts, booms, support stanchions, pipe stanchions, and railings, and test them for the presence of flammable liquids or vapors before welding, cutting, heating or brazing. [29 CFR 1915.54(c)]
• Calibrate and maintain test equipment. [29 CFR 1915.7(c)]

The Shipyard Competent Person (SCP) must complete the Competent Person Record, which must be posted. This record identifies conditions of spaces designated as "Safe for Hot Work" or "Safe for Workers." Spaces that are designated "Not Safe for Workers" or "Not Safe for Hot Work" or "Enter with Restrictions" must have warning signs and labels posted at the entrance of the space. [29 CFR 1915.16] The shipyard must maintain and make available a roster of shipyard competent persons. [29 CFR 1915.7(b)(2)(i)]

Figure 8: Marine Chemist tests
confined space prior to entry.


Figure 9: Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

Tasks performed by the Marine Chemist include:

• Testing for flammable, combustible, and toxic atmospheres before beginning hot work operations in spaces, adjacent spaces, and pipelines, which contain flammable or combustible liquids or gases. [29 CFR 1915.14(a)]
• Testing to confirm that inerting of spaces containing flammable and combustible materials has been effective. [NFPA 306, Section 3-2.1]
• Testing of spaces that are IDLH or cannot be ventilated to comply with OSHA PELs until the space can be certified "Enter with Restrictions" or "Safe for Workers." [29 CFR 1915.12(c)(3)]
• Approving the use of inerting medium (such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.) and personally supervising the introduction of the inerting medium into the space. [NFPA 306, Section 3-2.1]

Marine Chemist certificates shall be posted and accessible nearby during the operations and available for inspection (such as for OSHA, workers, and supervisors, and so forth) for a period of three months after the completion of work. [29 CFR 1915.14 (a)(2)]

Figure 10: Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).

• Testing of spaces that are IDLH or cannot be ventilated to comply with OSHA PELs until the space can be certified "Enter with Restrictions" or "Safe for Workers." [29 CFR 1915.12(c)(3)]

Note: If a Marine Chemist is not available, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port can authorize personnel to perform this work.