Safe Working Procedure – Confined Spaces

1. 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

2. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces

3. 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.

4. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces 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.

5. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces 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

6. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces • Controlling the Hazard - Options • In priority order; • Eliminate where possible, • Use control measures, • Protect all those exposed to the hazard Insert eliminate image Insert control image Insert protective Clothing image

7. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces • 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.

8. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Communication 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.

9. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

10. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces 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.

11. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

12. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

13. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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).

14. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

15. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

16. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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).

17. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

18. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

19. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

20. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • 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.

21. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Controlling the Hazard • Contractor's Employees • Contractor's employees are required to follow company procedures or equivalent (equal or better) confined spaces safe working arrangements.

22. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces Duty Holders Responsible for… Managing Director Ensuring compliance. Safety Managers Providing professional safety advice. Business Activity Managers Complying with the requirements. Employees Co-operating with the requirements.

23. Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces • Documentation • Inspections Log • Pre-entry checklists. • Permit to work forms. • Competence certificates. • Medical/fitness Certifications.