Safe Working Procedure – Confined Spaces Learning Objectives: By the end of this program participants will be able to demonstrate their understanding of

Safe Working Procedure – Confined Spaces

Learning Objectives: By the end of this program participants will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the control measures to be followed , as detailed in the safe working procedure, when working in or near to confined spaces.

To begin we will consider the OAC model for managing safety

Operational Analysis and Control (OAC)Model

Analyse the Operation

Manage the Operation

Effectiveness Review

What can cause harm?What are you doing about it?Is it enough?

What has to be done?What resources do you need?When does the operation need reviewed?

Has the operation progressed as planned?Detail the changes needed?List the improvement actions?

Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces

Set your work objectives to include;

“...tasks/ activities are to be completed on time and in a manner that does not cause harm to the employees, customers, other non-employees, or the company/ organisation.”

Three key questions to start with are…

• What can cause harm?

• What are you doing about it?

• Is it enough?

Remember the process is simple but it is NOT to be considered simplistic.


The OAC e-learning package can be accessed free at www.confinedspaces.com; Click here to open the "Work Safety - Manage Safely" e-learning program.(Work Safety - Manage Safely) also

A 5 Minute Safety Seminar (PowerPoint) is available from www.web-safety.com; Click here to link to Safety Exchange - Then open the 5 minute Safety Seminar.


Know where the harm is;

Identify the key hazards associated with working or near to confined spaces.

Source of Hazards(non-exhaustive list) • Fire or explosion• Toxic or flammable gas, fume or vapour• Lack of oxygen• Free flowing liquid• Free flowing solids• High ambient temperature• Biological agents

Outcomes of exposure(non-exhaustive list) • Burns• Asphyxiation• Loss of consciousness• Drowning• Suffocation• Heat stress/ exhaustion• Physical injury• Illness


Controlling the Hazard - Options

In priority order;

1. Eliminate where possible,

2. Use control measures,

3. Protect all those exposed to the hazard

Insert eliminate

image

Insert controlimage

Insert protectiveClothingimage



Control

• Entry to confined spaces is to be avoided if possible.

• When entry is necessary, pre-entry checks are to be

carried out to determine the condition of the confined

space and the necessary measures to ensure safety of

the entry workers.

• Issue a permit to work for confined spaces where;• there is a national statutory requirement or,• when the hazards are likely to be present.

A suitable means of communication between the site and an external point of contact is to be established, tested and working before entry commences.

The number of workers entering the confined space is to be appropriate to the task.

During each confined space entry an attendant is to remain outside the confined space at all times in contact with the worker(s) inside and the business activity manager.


Communication


Confined Space Entry Workers

All authorised confined space workers are to be;

• Deemed medically and physically fit to enter confined

spaces and to use RPE before being authorised.

• Trained and assessed as competent in confined space

entry (training is to include hazard awareness and

practical use of RPE).

• Trained and drilled regularly in the company emergency

procedures.

Controlling the Hazard


Atmosphere

The atmosphere in a confined space is to be

• Tested from the outside and found to be normal before

each entry.

• Monitored continually throughout the period of entry.


If the atmosphere test detects an IDLH environment, entry is prohibited until a permit to work is issued, or alternative arrangements have been made.


Monitoring

• Electronic monitoring equipment is to be capable of detecting;

Oxygen levels, Toxic gases, and Flammable and explosive atmospheres

• Alarms on the atmosphere monitor are to be capable of activating below the harmful atmosphere levels, on battery failure or on any other fault.

• Monitors are to be calibrated and tested regularly by a competent person.



Ventilation

All available confined spaces access points are to

• Be opened to permit air circulation.

• Remain open and guarded throughout the period entry.

• Sufficient mechanical means are to be provided when natural ventilation is ineffective.



Purging

• Communicate the work method and appropriate risk controls to all relevant workers when purging is deemed necessary.

• The confined space is to be ventilated by natural or mechanical means and the atmosphere re-tested after purging and before entry commences.

• The atmosphere in the confined space is to be tested and purged or ventilated after cleaning, as necessary.


Care is to be taken if residues are to be removed since trapped gases, fumes etc may be released giving rise to an IDLH atmosphere. (Note: similar care is to be taken if residues are found after entry to the confined space).


Isolating the Confined Space

• The confined space is to be isolated from any pipework or

power supplies before entry commences.

• Isolations are to be carried out under a permit to work.



Equipment

• Respiratory protection equipment (RPE), personal protection equipment (PPE) and other associated safety equipment are to be identified and recorded in the risk assessments.

• Authorised confined space workers are to be trained and assessed as competent in the use of all the safety equipment.

• All equipment is to be inspected, tested and maintained.



Where potentially flammable or explosive atmospheres exist • All safety equipment and lighting is to be intrinsically

safe, earthed and bonded as necessary to prevent the build up of static.

• All other tools for use in potentially flammable or explosive atmospheres are to be non-sparking


Look for the marking to indicate that the equipment has been tested as being intrinsically safe (explosion proof).


Access and Egress

• All employees entering a confined space are to be logged in and out.

• Confirm that all workers have exited the confined space before the openings are closed and the site vacated.

• Suitable lifting equipment is to be used to facilitate entry

and exit when entry is via a vertical shaft.

• Determine whether workers are to remain attached to the lifting equipment.



Fire Safety

• Flammable or combustible materials are not to be stored in a confined space.

• All potentially flammable waste material from the work activity is to be removed from the confined space and disposed of in a safe manner.

• Gas appliances and internal combustion engines are not permitted in confined spaces.

• Smoking in or near confined spaces is not permitted.

• Appropriate fire fighting equipment is to be available at confined spaces when it is deemed necessary.



Emergencies and Rescue When the atmosphere monitor alarms

• Cease work immediately, don escape-breathing apparatus, exit the confined space and raise the alarm,

• Invoke the appropriate emergency response.

Dealing with casualties

• Contact the emergency rescue services first if there are any casualties.

• The attendant must not enter the confined space.• Emergency first aid is only to be given where risks to the

workforce will not be increased.



Emergencies and Rescue Rescue co-ordination

• Co-ordinate the rescue arrangements with the statutory emergency services,

• Inform the emergency services of all potentially hazardous confined spaces, and

• Alert all necessary personnel.



Contractor's Employees

• Contractor's employees are required to follow company

procedures or equivalent (equal or better) confined

spaces safe working arrangements.



Business Activity Managers

Safety Managers

Managing Director

Employees

Duty Holders

Ensuring compliance.

Providing professional safety advice.

Complying with the requirements.

Responsible for…

Co-operating with the requirements.


Documentation

• Inspections Log

Pre-entry checklists.

• Permit to work forms.

• Competence certificates.

• Medical/fitness Certifications .

Documents

Safe Working Procedure – Confined Spaces Learning Objectives: By the end of this program participants will be able to demonstrate their understanding of