Entry Supervisor - Stand By Person

For entry into a confined space crawl space, a worker must be assigned as a standby person, who checks on the well-being of workers inside the space by visually observing them or using another method of checking. The standby person also summons help in the event of an emergency. Workers inside the space must be able to contact the standby person at any time, either through voice, use of a 2-way radio or visual contact. The standby person must be stationed at the entrance to the space, never inside.  Standby workers are required to have first aid and confined space attendant training.

The duties of the standby person are as follows:

• Know the hazards that they may be faced during entry.
• Keep an accurate count of the number of entrants in the permit space.
• Be stationed at or near the entrance to the space. The standby person may have other duties if they do not interfere with remaining at or near the entrance and checking on the well-being of workers.
• Maintain constant communication with the entrant. This may include the use of a radio, visual or verbal communication.
• Check on the well-being of the workers inside the space every 15 to 20 minutes. Communicate with entrants to relay information and monitor the status of the entrants.
• Monitor the work area for hazardous conditions. Order the evacuation of the entrants from the space if a hazardous condition is encountered.
• Keep unauthorized employees away from the space.
• Perform no duties that might interfere with the attendant's primary duty to monitor and protect the authorized entrants.
• Summon rescue and emergency services.

Additional Links:

• Safe Work Procedures
• Multi Gas Detector