Entry into Confined Spaces……

1. Health, Safety and Environment
Weekly Safety Review 19 SIMS awaiting
First Aid Recordable
Managers Comments
No. injuries ytd 10 1
Injury rate ytd 2.51 0.36
No. days worked since 112
last OSHA recordable (30/5/11) Injury
Issue Date : 27 / 9 / 2011 Performance
No. days worked since 112 INJURY
Entry into Confined Spaces …… last RIDDOR injury (30/05/11) FREE
WEEK
11
Standby Duties
First - Let’s identify what a confined space is ..
From the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, a confined space is defined
as “any place which by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a
reasonably foreseeable specified risk”.
A 'confined space' has two defining features.
Firstly, it is a place which is substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed.
And
Secondly, there will be a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from
hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby
Confined Space Reasonably Foreseeable Risk
any …….. Hazard types
Chamber Trench
• Injury caused by Fire or Explosion
Tank Pipe
• Heat leading to Unconsciousness
Vat Sewer
• Asphyxiation from Gas, Fume,
Silo Flue
Vapour or lack of Oxygen
Pit well
• Drowning or becoming trapped by
…..or other similar space. Liquid or free flowing Solids
One of our key control measures for protection of people who need to work inside
a confined space is the provision of a stand by person, who should stay outside
the confined space at the access point.
This is a specifically trained person who has a number of key duties, including the
right to …..
Stop the job if he becomes aware of danger
Prevent people entering if it is unsafe to do so
Summon assistance in an emergency
Last week there was a very concerning event - a newly trained and appointed
stand by person was found inside the confined space he was supposed to be
providing safety cover for. The job was immediately stopped, and measures
were put in place to ensure an effective stand by service was in place before
the task was allowed to re-commence.

2. The appointed stand by person must remain outside the Confined Space so
that they can see or hear (i.e. method of communication clearly established)
what is going on, can remain safe from any harm that might affect those
inside the confined space, and can summon assistance if it is needed.
MP 1304 - Entry into Confined Spaces - Defines the requirements for
ensuring that persons are not exposed to dangerous gas or fume, or other
harmful substances when entering or working within a confined space.
We ALL have duties concerning Confined Spaces …….
Those carrying out PREPARATION such as ….
 Planning the task
 Putting in place physical and electrical Isolations
 Preparing or checking the rescue plan
 Carrying out the air test
 Issuing the entry certificate
………. must all ensure their work is thorough and accurate.
Clearly STAND BY PERSONS have a number of duties, including ….
 Establishing a means of communication with those entering the
confined space
 Checking their own authorisation is current
 Checking the PTW and Entry Permit are accurate
 Carrying out radio checks
 Ensuring any entry permit restrictions are complied with
 Making sure all those wishing to enter the confined space sign in
 Summoning assistance in the event of emergency
 Not entering the confined space under any circumstances
 Instructing personnel to withdraw from the confined space if there
is an external emergency, and not allowing them to re-enter
And WE ALL have a duty to …..
 Comply with No Entry signs at confined space access points
 Sign in with the stand by person if we wish to enter a confined
space
 Exit a confined space if instructed to do so by a stand by person
 Question or Challenge anything we believe to be unsafe or wrong