Attendant (confined space)
The person stationed outside a permit space who watches the entrants and carries out the attendant duties.
Definition, in the source's words
29 CFR 1910.146(b)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“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.”
What it means
The attendant stays outside, keeps track of who is inside, watches for hazards, and summons rescue. Under 1910.146(i)(4) the attendant remains outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant.
Example
Two workers enter a tank to replace a mixer blade. The attendant at the manhole keeps a count of entrants and watches the gas monitor. When the alarm sounds, the attendant orders the entrants out and calls the rescue team rather than going in.
Where it appears on the exam
ASP: ASP11 Domain 2, Safety Programs and Concepts
Practice: Permit-Required Confined Spaces
CSP: CSP11 Domain 1, Advanced Application of Safety Principles
Practice: Confined Spaces and Lockout/Tagout
CHST: CHST5 Domain 1, Hazard and Risk Identification and Control
Practice: Confined Spaces in Construction
Questions
- Can the attendant go in to rescue an entrant?
- Only if the employer's program allows attendant entry for rescue, the attendant is trained and equipped for rescue under 1910.146(k)(1), and another attendant has relieved them. Otherwise the attendant summons rescue from outside.
Related
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