General Equipment EP8HL, Operator'S Manual

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EP8HL HAZARDOUS BLOWER
FORM GOM7069501, VERSION 1.2
15
CONFINED SPACE REGULATION DISCLAIMER.
Before operating the Blower, obtain a copy of
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.146 and/or current
revision. This standard provides a comprehensive
regulatory framework by which employers can
effectively protect employees who work in
confined work spaces.
BASIC
INFORMATION AND DEFINITIONS
PERTAINING TO CONFINED SPACE
REGULATIONS.
Many confined work places contain spaces which are
considered "confined" because their configurations
hinder the activities of any workers who must enter,
work in or exit them. For example, employees working
in process vessels generally must squeeze in and out
through narrow openings and perform their tasks while
cramped or contorted. In addition there are many
instances where employees who are working in
confined work spaces also face increased risk of
exposure to serious hazards. In some cases,
confinement itself poses entrapment hazards. In other
cases confined space work keeps workers closer to
hazards such as asphyxiating atmospheres or the
moving parts of a mixer, than they would be otherwise.
Accordingly, under the regulation, OSHA distinguishes
between confined work spaces that pose a threat of
death or serious bodily harm and those that pose no
such threat---existing or potential. This distinction is
accomplished through a series of three definitions
essential to the application of the standard. The first is
defined as follows:
1) The space is large enough and so configured that a
worker can bodily enter and perform assigned work.
2) The space has limited or restricted means for entry
or exit.
3) The space is not designed for continuous worker
occupancy. 29 CFR 1910.146(d).
The term "non permit required confined work space" is
defined in the standard as follows: "a confined space
that does not contain or with respect to atmospheric
hazards have the potential to contain any hazard
capable of causing death or serious harm. 29 CFR
1910.146(b).
The term "permit required confined space" means a
confined space that presents or has a potential to
present one or more of the following:
1) An atmospheric hazard.
2) An engulfment hazard.
3) A configuration hazard.
4) Any other recognized serious hazard. 29 CFR
1910.146(b).
Under 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1), the employer shall
evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces
require a permit to enter. If the work space requires a
permit, then 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2) requires the
employer to inform exposed workers of such dangers
by posting signs or any other equally effective method
or means to communicate the potential dangers. If the
employer decides its employees will not enter a
confined work space requiring a permit, he must follow
the protocol found in 29 CFR 1910.146(1), (2), (3), (6)
and (8).
If workers will enter a confined work space requiring a
permit, then the employer shall develop and implement
a written permit confined work space entry program
found in 29 CFR 1910.146(d).
HAZARDOUS LOCATION ATMOSPHERE
CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR THE MODEL
EP8HL BLOWER.
The EP8HL Blower is certified by the Canadian
Standards Association® (CSA®) for use in the
following hazardous location type atmospheres as
defined by the National Electric Code®. Refer to the
current National Electric Code® for specific
information.
CLASS I, GROUP D
CLASS II, GROUP G
CLASS III
The Blower can also be utilized in nonhazardous
location type atmospheres.