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It is the policy of the Company to comply with all the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations and in doing so, will take all reasonable steps to secure the Health and Safety of those persons in our employ who are required to make entry into confined spaces.
The Company acknowledges that Health and Safety hazards may arise when entry into confined spaces is required. It is the intention of the Company to ensure that any risks are kept to a minimum. No person must enter a confined space unless a Permit to Work HSF 403 has been obtained.
The Company will provide sufficient information, instruction and training as is necessary to ensure the Health and Safety of workers who are required to enter into confined spaces. Managers and Supervisors who are responsible for workers required to enter into confined spaces will also be given appropriate training.
The first step to identify confined spaces entry is to identify the space as potentially dangerous. A confined space is any area where there is a reasonable foreseeable risk. To clarify what constitutes as a confined space, the following flowchart can be used.
Based on the definition, types of spaces might be sewers, culverts, excavations, heading tunnels, mechanical rooms, or other similar types of enclosures. It is the responsibility of the Site Management Team to evaluate potentially hazardous spaces within facilities or areas under their control and ensure that the prior precautions are taken for safety. It may be determined that a space presents no real danger for employees however, until the space has been evaluated and it has been determined that confined space characteristics are present. The Site Management Team shall determine if the confined space requires a permit and will apply appropriate labelling.
Once a space has been identified as confined, the hazards that may be present within the confined space must be identified. Confined-space hazards can be grouped into the following categories:
Oxygen-deficient atmospheres,
Flammable atmospheres,
Toxic atmospheres,
The normal atmosphere is composed of approximately 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen. An atmosphere containing less than 19.5% oxygen shall be considered oxygen-deficient. The oxygen level inside a confined space may be decreased as the result of either consumption or displacement.
There are a number of processes which consume oxygen in a confined space. Oxygen is consumed during combustion of flammable materials, as in welding, cutting, or brazing. A more subtle consumption of oxygen occurs during bacterial action, as in the fermentation process. Oxygen can also be consumed during chemical reaction such as in the formation of rust on the exposed surfaces of a confined space. The number of people working in a confined space and the amount of physical activity displacement by other gases.
Flammable atmospheres are generally the result of flammable gases, vapours, dust mixed in certain concentrations with air, or an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. Oxygen-enriched atmospheres are those which contain an oxygen concentration greater than 22%. An oxygen-enriched atmosphere will cause flammable material such as clothing and hair to burn violently when ignited.
Combustible gases or vapours can accumulate within a confined space when there is inadequate ventilation. Gases that are heavier than air will accumulate in the lower levels of a confined space. Therefore, it is especially important that atmospheric tests be conducted near the bottom of all confined spaces.
The work being conducted in a confined space can generate a flammable atmosphere. Work such as spray-painting, coating, or the use of flammable solvents for cleaning can result in the formation of an explosive atmosphere. Welding or cutting with oxyacetylene equipment can also be the cause of an explosion in a confined space and shall not be allowed without a Hot Work Permit, HSF 402.
Oxygen hoses may have small leaks in them which could generate an explosive atmosphere and, therefore, should be removed when not in use. The atmosphere shall be tested continuously while any hot work is being conducted within the confined space.
Toxic atmospheres may be present within a confined space as the result of one or more of the following:
The product stored in the confined space.
When a product is stored in a confined space, the product can be absorbed by the walls and give off toxic vapours when removed or when cleaning the residual material. The product can also produce toxic vapours which will remain in the atmosphere due to poor ventilation.
The work being conducted in the confined space
Toxic atmospheres can be generated as the result of work being conducted inside the confined space. Examples of such work include: welding or brazing with metals capable of producing toxic vapours, painting, scraping, sanding, etc. Many of the solvent used for cleaning and / or degreasing produce highly toxic vapours.
Areas adjacent to the confined space
Toxic fumes produced by processes near the confined space may enter and accumulate in the confined space. For example, if the confined space is lower than the adjacent area and the toxic fume is heavier than air, the toxic fume may “settle” into the confined space.
N.B All gas readings taken must be recorded for record purposes on Form HSF 403a.
All employees shall be instructed by the Site Foreman that entry into a confined space is prohibited without an authorised permit. The Site Manager shall instruct all employees to list their names on the authorised permit before they will be allowed to enter a confined space. All entry and exit must be logged and recorded using form HSF 403b.
When a confined space must be entered, a permit HSF 403 shall be completed and authorised by the Site Manager prior to entry of the confined space. This permit shall serve as certification that the space is for safe entry. The permit shall contain the date, the location of the space, and the signature of the supervisor providing the certification. The permit shall not be authorised until all conditions of the permit have been met.
The first step towards conducting a safe confined-space entry is to plan the entry. This will allow for the identification of all hazards, and for the determination of all equipment necessary, to complete the project.
Gathering General Data
Identifying the Hazards
Ventilation of the Confined space
Isolating the Confined space
Purging / Cleaning the Confined space
Placement of Warning Signs
Identifying All Personnel
Identifying Necessary Equipment
Identify the confined space by giving the name or location of the confined space. Give the reason for entering the confined space. In addition, identify if hot work will be undertaken. Identify the contents of the confined space including any chemicals or other materials and energy that are usually present in the confined space. Assess all material by referring to the COSHH data & assessment sheets
*Note: it is compulsory that atmospheric tests be conducted by the Entry Supervisor / Foreman prior to the full or complete opening of any covers.
The entry supervisor will determine the oxygen content and describe the testing procedures and equipment used.
The entry supervisor will determine flammable gas content and describe the testing procedures and type analyser used.
If a toxic substance is determined to be in the confined space during testing by the entry supervisor, The Company’s Health & Safety Department shall be contacted to assist in obtaining a Material Safety Data Sheet or other chemical information to determine what type of personal protective equipment is required, the potential health effects, the Permissible Exposure Limits, and any other information needed to safely conduct the work.
The Site Manager will determine mechanical and physical hazards. He should list all items and energy that will require lockout /tag out, blanking and bleeding, disconnecting, or securing. Physical hazards should also be listed.
Indicate whether mechanical or natural ventilation will be used. Describe the procedures to be used.
*Note: If mechanical ventilation is to be used, the exhaust must be pointed away from the personnel or ignition sources. Also, mechanical ventilators should be bonded to the confined space.
Describe the procedure for disconnecting equipment or lockout / tagout. All mechanical, electrical, or heat-producing equipment should be disconnected or locked and tagged out. This would also include any pumps that pull fluid from, or pump fluid into the confined space.
Indicate if the confined space will be purged. Purging with inert gas is not recommended. If the space must be purged, describe the procedures.
Indicate the type of cleaning methods to be used. If chemical cleaners are to be used, name the type and describe the procedures. The COSHH sheet for the chemical should be consulted prior to use.
*Note: When introducing a chemical into a confined space, the compatibility of that chemical with the contents of the confined space must be checked. If in doubt, consult The Company’s Health and Safety Department.
*Note: If steam is to be used, the hose should be earth bonded to the confined space.
Warning signs or barriers will be needed to prevent unauthorised entry or to protect workers from external hazards. If the confined space will be left open and unattended for any length of time, warning signs and barriers will be required.
List all employees that will be required to prepare the confined space and complete the work inside the space. The entry into the confined space will need to be recorded using HSF 403b.
List all equipment that will be necessary to complete the project.
Once the entry has been planned, the Site Manager must train all employees who will be involved in the entry. The training should be conducted no earlier than one day before entry is to be made.
The following outline should be used for the training:
Identify the confined space.
Identify the work detail.
Inform entrants of all known or suspected hazards.
Identify isolation procedures.
Identify purging and / or ventilation procedures.
Identify all equipment needed.
Determine necessary personal protective equipment.
Establish communication.
Protect from external hazards.
Pre-plan rescue procedures.
Place the confined space back into service.
If a toxic atmosphere or substance is present or could become present, the following additional training must be completed:
If respiratory protection is not going to be used, inform personnel of the maximum occupational exposure level (OEL) that can exist within the confined space, and the method used to monitor the OEL.
Inform personnel of the potential health effects of exposure to the toxic atmosphere or substance.
Inform personnel of the signs and symptoms of exposure to the toxic fume.
Inform personnel of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that they will be required to wear.
If entrants are unaware of the proper use of PPE, they must be trained in the proper use of this equipment.
*Note: the Site Manager may request assistance from the Company’s Health and Safety Department in providing the above mentioned training.
Persons should not be assigned to tasks requiring use of respirators unless it has been determined that they are physically able to perform the work and use the equipment. A local physician shall determine what health and physical conditions are pertinent. The respirator user’s medical status should be reviewed periodically (normally annually)
Inform the personnel responsible for the lockout / tag-out of all equipment that must be isolated.
Inform the personnel responsible for performing this function of the methods to be used.
Inform all personnel responsible for performing this function of the methods to be used.
Inform personnel involved in the project of all equipment that will be necessary to complete the task.
Make sure that all employees are capable of using their assigned equipment properly.
Inform personnel of all PPE that must be used to ensure their safety.
Make sure that all personnel required to use PPE are trained in the proper use of the equipment.
Inform all entrants that they are required to maintain communication with the standby person.
Inform standby person that he / she must maintain constant contact with all entrants.
Inform Personnel of the type of communication they are to use
Inform personnel where signs and barriers will be placed to prevent unauthorised entry and protect entrants from external hazards.
Inform personnel of the steps to be taken to place the confined space back into service.
Once the entry has been planned and personnel have been trained, the next step is to prepare the confined space for entry.
The following steps are to be followed when preparing the confined space for entry:
Warning signs or barriers used to prevent unauthorised entry or to protect entrants from external hazards should be placed on or around the confined space as planned and discussed in training.
Place all tools, safety equipment, monitoring equipment, etc, near the confined space.
Isolate all mechanical and/or electrical hazards as planned and discussed in training.
Purge/ventilate the confined space as planned and discussed in training.
The entry supervisor will test the atmosphere as discussed in training.
If oxygen content is less than 19.5% or greater than 21.5%, perform additional ventilation and re-test the oxygen content.
If oxygen content is between 19.5% and 21.5% continue with every preparation.
The entry supervisor will test for flammable gas levels as planned and discussed in training.
If the meter reading is less than 10% of the lower explosive limit (LEL), continue entry preparations.
If the meter reading is above 10% of the LEL, continue ventilation of the confined space. Then shut off the ventilation and have the atmosphere re-tested.
If the meter reading is still above 10% of the LEL, the confined space must be cleaned before entry is permitted. If the confined space must be entered for cleaning purposes, Health and Safety Department should be contacted to assist in identifying proper precautions and the protective measures to be taken.
The entry supervisor will determine the toxicity of the atmosphere as planned and discussed in training. If a toxic atmosphere is present, no person should be permitted to enter the confined space at a level exceeding the OEL without appropriate PPE. Health and Safety Department should be contacted to assist in identifying proper precautions and the protective measures to be taken.
Assemble all personnel involved and conduct a simulated rescue drill.
The entry supervisor will then add any information, then complete and sign the permit.
Where practical, all personnel entering a confined space should be equipped with a retrieval line secured at one end to the entrant by a full-body harness with its other end secured to a tripod lifting hoist.
All testing equipment shall be calibrated by as instructed by the manufacturer.
All of the manufacturer's operating instructions must be followed.
The test equipment should be tested in a known atmosphere to ensure its accuracy.
Ventilation equipment must be shut off before conducting any atmospheric tests.
The atmosphere must be tested at the bottom, top and middle of all confined spaces.
The atmosphere must be continuously monitored while works are being conducted in the confined space.
If the confined space is left for any reason, the atmosphere must be re-tested before re-entering the space
If cleaning must be conducted in a confined space to achieve acceptable atmospheric conditions, the following procedures must be followed:
All entrants must be equipped with designated safety equipment.
All entrants must be equipped with a 10-minute escape set.
No spark-producing tools will be allowed for use.
In the event of an emergency, the standby person should:
Immediately summon the Fire Brigade telephone 999.
Attempt to remove the victim by use of the retrieval line from outside the confined space if this can be accomplished without creating further hazard for the attendant.
If the standby person is able to remove the victim with the retrieval line, the first Aider should administer aid within the limits of his/ her training until emergency services arrive.
If the standby person is unable to remove the victim by using the retrieval line, he or she must wait for help to arrive. The standby person(s) is not to enter the confined space for any reason.
Give emergency medical services any information they request
Everyone involved in confined space entry has certain responsibilities and requires a certain amount of training. It is very important that every individual is familiar with their responsibilities and training requirements of each individual involved in a project.
