(1) The employer must use the following alternate entry procedures:

Eliminate any unsafe conditions before removing an entrance cover.

(a) When entrance covers are removed, promptly guard the opening with a railing, temporary cover, or other temporary barrier to prevent accidental falls through the opening and protect entrants from objects falling into the space.

(b) Certify that preentry measures have been taken (such as safe removal of the cover and having protection needed to gather preentry data), with the date, location of the space, and signature of the person certifying.

(2) The employer must make the preentry certification available before entry to each entrant.

(a) Before an employee enters the confined space, test the internal atmosphere with a calibrated, direct-reading instrument for all of the following, in this order:

(i) Oxygen content.

(ii) Flammable gases and vapors.

(iii) Potential toxic air contaminants.

(b) Provide entrants, or their authorized representatives, with an opportunity to observe the preentry and periodic testing.

(c) Make sure the atmosphere within the space is not hazardous when entrants are present.

(d) Use continuous forced air ventilation, as follows:

(i) Wait until the forced air ventilation has removed any hazardous atmosphere before allowing entrants into the space.

(ii) Direct forced air ventilation toward the immediate areas where employees are, or will be, and continue ventilation until all employees have left the space.

(3) The employer must provide the air supply from a clean source and make sure it does not increase hazards in the space.

(a) Test the atmosphere within the space as needed to make sure hazards do not accumulate.

(b) If a hazardous atmosphere is detected during entry, do all of the following:

(i) Evacuate employees from the space immediately.

(ii) Evaluate the space to determine how the hazardous atmosphere developed.

(iii) Implement measures to protect employees from the hazardous atmosphere before continuing the entry operation.

(iv) Verify the space is safe for entry before continuing the entry operation.