A major safety concern while operating in a confined space

1. DR.ARUN PUROHIT.

2. This presentation is
compiled from freely
available resources like the
website of OSHA and other
free websites

3.  A confined space is a fully or partially enclosed space that:
• is not primarily designed or intended for continuous human
occupancy
• has limited or restricted entrance or exit, or a configuration that can
complicate first aid, rescue, evacuation, or other emergency
response activities
• Can represent a risk for the for the health and safety of anyone who
enters, due to one or more of the following factors:
 its design, construction, location or atmosphere
 the materials or substances in it
 work activities being carried out in it, or the
 mechanical, process and safety hazards present
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Confined Space - Definition

4. Confined Space - Definition
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 A Confined Space is:
• A space large enough to enter;
• Has limited means of access and
egress; and
• Not designed for human
occupancy
• Has potential for engulfing from
falling materials
• Has potential for hazardous
atmosphere
• Internal configuration that could
trap

5. Confined Space - Examples
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• Vessels
• Tanks (septic, etc.)
• Pipes (sewer, drain,
utility, etc.)
• Vaults
• Pits
• Silo’s
• Trenches
• Tunnels
• Storage Bins
• Manholes
• Bore holes

6. Hazards In A Confined Space
Hazards in confined spaces can include:
• Poor air quality: There may be an insufficient amount
of oxygen for the worker to breathe. The atmosphere
might contain a poisonous substance that could make
the worker ill or even cause the worker to lose
consciousness. Natural ventilation alone will often not
be sufficient to maintain breathable quality air.
• Hazards from asphyxiants – Simple asphyxiants are
gases which can become so concentrated that they
displace oxygen in the air (normally about 21
percent).
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7. Hazards in confined spaces can include:
• Chemical exposures due to skin contact or ingestion as well as
inhalation of 'bad' air.
• Fire hazard: There may be an explosive/flammable atmosphere
due to flammable liquids and gases and combustible dusts
which if ignited would lead to fire or explosion.
• Process-related hazards such as residual chemicals, release of
contents of a supply line.
• Physical hazards – noise, heat/cold, radiation, vibration,
electrical, and inadequate lighting.
• Safety hazards such as moving parts of equipment, structural
hazards, engulfment, entanglement, slips, falls.
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Hazards In A Confined Space

8. Hazards in confined spaces can include:
• Vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Shifting or collapse of bulk material.
• Barrier failure resulting in a flood or release of free-
flowing solid or liquid.
• Visibility (e.g., smoke particles in air).
• Biological hazards – viruses, bacteria from fecal
matter and sludge, fungi, or moulds.
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Hazards In A Confined Space

9. Why Is Working In A Confined
Space More Hazardous
 The entrance/exit of the confined space might not allow the
worker to get out in time should there be a flood or collapse of
free-flowing solid.
 Self-rescue by the worker is more difficult.
 Rescue of the victim is more difficult. The interior configuration
of the confined space often does not allow easy movement of
people or equipment within it.
 Natural ventilation alone will often not be sufficient to maintain
breathable quality air. The interior configuration of the confined
space does not allow easy movement of air within it.
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10.  Conditions can change very quickly.
 The space outside the confined space can impact on
the conditions inside the confined space and vice
versa.
 Work activities may introduce hazards not present
initially.
 Lack of communication between the workers in the
space, the attendant and the emergency response
team.
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Why Is Working In A Confined
Space More Hazardous

11. How Are Hazards Controlled In
Confined Spaces?
 The traditional hazard control methods found in regular
worksites can be effective in a confined space. These include:
 engineering controls, administrative controls and personal
protective equipment.
 Engineering controls are designed to remove the hazard while
administrative controls and personal protective equipment try to
minimize the contact with the hazard.
 The engineering control commonly used in confined spaces is
mechanical ventilation.
 The Entry Permit system is an example of an administrative
control used in confined spaces.
 Personal protective equipment (respirators, gloves, ear plugs) is
commonly used in confined spaces as well.
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12. How Is Air Quality Maintained?
 Natural ventilation (natural air currents) is usually not reliable and not
sufficient to maintain the air quality. Mechanical ventilation (blowers,
fans) is usually necessary to maintain air quality.
 If mechanical ventilation is provided, there should be a warning system
in place to immediately notify the worker in the event of a hazard or a
failure in the ventilation equipment.
 Care should be taken to make sure the air being provided by the
ventilation system to the confined space is 'clean' throughout the entire
space.
 Do not substitute oxygen for fresh air. Increasing the oxygen content will
significantly increase the risk of fire and explosion.
 The use of mechanical ventilation should be noted on the entry permit.
 Ensure air being removed from the confined space is exhausted away
from workers on the outside.
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13. How Are Fire And Explosion
Prevented?
 Work where a flame is used or a source of ignition may be produced (hot work)
should not normally be performed in a confined space unless:
 All flammable gases, liquids and vapors are removed before the start of any hot
work. Mechanical ventilation is usually used to
• Keep the concentration of any explosive or flammable hazardous substance
less than 10% of its Lower Explosive Limit AND
• Make sure that the oxygen content in the confined space is not enriched.
Oxygen content should be less than 23% but maintained at levels greater
than 19.5%. (These numbers can vary slightly from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction.)
 Surfaces coated with combustible material should be cleaned or shielded to
prevent ignition.
 Do not bring fuel or fuel containers into the confined space (e.g., gasoline,
propane), if possible. Ensure welding equipment is in good condition.
 Where appropriate, use spark-resistant tools, and make sure all equipment is
bonded or grounded properly
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14. How Are Energy Sources
Controlled?
 All potentially hazardous energy sources such as electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or thermal must be
de-energized (or isolated) and locked out prior to entry to the
confined space.
 If lock out is not possible, the hazardous energy must be
controlled in a way that eliminates or minimizes worker exposure
to the hazards before workers are allowed to enter the confined
space.
 It is important that any method of control other than isolation and
lockout must be evaluated and the effectiveness for controlling
the hazardous energy must be demonstrated.
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15. What Are Other Safety
Precautions
 Any liquids or free-flowing solids should be removed from the confined
space to eliminate the risk of drowning or suffocation.
 All pipes should be physically disconnected or isolation blanks bolted in
place. Closing valves is not sufficient.
 Use two blocking valves, with an open vent or bleed valve between the
blocking valves when isolating pipelines or similar conveyances to
prevent entry of materials and hazardous contaminants.
 A barrier is present to prevent any liquids or free-flowing solids from
entering the confined space.
 The opening for entry into and exit from the confined space must be
large enough to allow the passage of a person using protective
equipment.
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16. Responsibilities of CSE
Supervisor
 The supervisor in charge of the area for which the
confined space entry will occur, is responsible to
ensure that all preparations are in place for the safe
entry of any worker.
 Ensure workers involved in the confined space are
trained in the conditions of entry and the nature of
any hazards they may be exposed to.
 Ensure the appropriate PPE is available and in good
working order.
 Ensure rescue procedures, equipment and trained
rescue personnel are in place.
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17.  Ensure a Confined Space “Safe Entry Tag” is
completed.
 Identify the “Class” of Confined Space.
 Assign a safety watch person on the outside of the
tank.
 Periodically check the confined space entry jobs to
ensure all Health & Safety procedures are being
followed.
 To immediately shut down any unsafe confined
space entry job.
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Responsibilities of CSE
Supervisor

18. Responsibilities Of Person
Entering The Confined Space
 The worker prior to entering the confined space will ensure that
all necessary precautions and procedures are in place to their
satisfaction and then sign the Confined Space “Safe Entry Tag”.
 Will wear all Personal Protective Equipment assigned to them,
to ensure their safety and health according to the hazards of the
confined space job.
 Will inspect and use equipment and tools required to do the jobs
inside the confined space, according to safe work practices and
procedures.
 Will monitor conditions inside the confined space and if
conditions should change inside that are not accounted for on
the “Safe Entry Tag” they will discontinue the work and exit the
confined space until the new hazards have been addressed.
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19. Responsibilities of Safety Watch
 The qualified Safety Watch will ensure that all conditions on the
“Safe Entry Tag” are complied with, prior to allowing anyone into
the confined space.
 Ensure all of the names of workers who will enter the confined
space are on the “Safe Entry Tag”.
 Will establish the communication system to be used with those
workers who will enter the confined space.
 Will know the location of the Confined Space Entry Rescue
equipment.
 Will sound the emergency alarm should workers inside the tank
need to be rescued.
 ** Safety Watch personnel will never enter the confined space
for any reason.
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20. Responsibilities of Rescue
Personnel
 Only workers properly trained and equipped for confined space
rescue shall attempt a rescue by entering a confined space.
 A gas test of the confined space atmosphere must be done prior
to any rescue personnel entering a confined space.
 When workers in a confined space are wearing a safety harness
and lanyard, Rescue Personnel can work from the outside,
without having to enter the confined space.
 Rescue Personnel must be physically capable of carrying out a
rescue, and must be trained in First Aid/CPR.
 Communications must be available at the worksite to
emergency response organizations i.e.; Fire Department,
Ambulance.
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21. Law & Labelling
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 Covered by specific regulations in each
country & by code of Practice
CONFINEDSPACE
PERMITREQUIRED

22. CSE Permit System
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Will confirm through signature:
 Conditions are safe for entry
• Gas tests completed & OK
• Measures taken for employee
protection
• Work method reviewed
• Entrants trained (CSE & task)
• Supervisor always involved
 Lookout established and trained
 Rescue provisions in place if necessary

23. Gas Monitoring
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 Gas Tests Required:
• Oxygen
 19.5 - 23.5%
• Lower Explosivity Limit (LEL-Flammability)
• Toxic Chemicals (may include the following)
 H2S and / or Carbon Monoxide
 Each country has limits based on EU guideline
• EH40 (UK)
 Entry supervisor must know what chemicals to test
for (and how to test)
• Easy to observe Mechanical hazards, not easy to observe
atmospheric hazards, that’s why we test!

24. Gas Monitoring - Best Practice
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 Test prior to ventilation & discuss with rescue
team
• This will be an important
factor for rescue strategy
 Test all areas of the space,
use attachments as
necessary
 The gas monitor must be
calibrated and all users must
be trained how to use it

25. CSE Preparation General
Training
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 Entry Supervisors - standard setters!
 Entrants - demonstrate competency
 HOLD PRE-ENTRY MEETING
• Everyone must understand their role!!

26. CSE Preparation ~ Cleaning
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Cleaning has two purposes:
 Allow task to proceed (especially
inspection or welding)
 Allow safe entrance into vessel
 THESE ARE NOT ALWAYS
COMPATIBLE!
(cleaning can be the hazardous task)

27. CSE Preparation ~ Isolation
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 Hazardous Energies
 Mechanical, Electrical, Pneumatic, Thermal
Hydraulic, Chemical.
 Process & Service pipes isolated (per
lockout)
• Physical disconnect or blank
• Always verify

28. Ventilation
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 Forced air / Natural
 Weld inspection
• use of dye penetrant
 Welding
• remove base valve (Argon heavier than air)
• remove welding fume
 Tank cleaning
• where external techniques not possible
 Bag filter changes
Bazas Forced
Ventilation

29. PPE
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 Retrieval Winch if applicable
 Respiratory protection
• SCBA / Air trolleys
 Chemical protective suit

30. Electrical Equipment
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 Low voltage or equipped with residual
current breaker (earth)
 Intrinsically safe?

31. CSE Attendant
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 Stands outside the space at all times and monitors
the entrant(s)
 Attendant duties
• Knows how to raise alarm and summon help
• Controls and restricts entrance, orders evacuation if
necessary
• Monitors each entrance and exit (headcount in
emergency)
• Remains in post during rescue (unless relieved)
 Must not perform any other duties that might interfere
with the primary duty of monitoring and protecting the
entrant(s)

32. Rescue Provisions
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 On site at all times during entry
 Suitable equipment
• First Aid
• Harnesses & lifelines
• COMMUNICATION
 Involve up-front - rescue strategy

33. Contractors
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 Pre Work Safety Orientation
 MUST follow all site procedures
 Contractors often enter confined spaces
ASK FOR FEEDBACK!

34. The Golden Rules Of CSE
1. Monitor the atmosphere
2. Eliminate or control hazards
3. Ventilate the space
4. Use proper personal protective equipment
5. Isolate the space
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35. 6. Know the attendant’s role
7. Be prepared for rescues
8. Use good lighting
9. Plan for emergencies
10. Emphasize constant communication
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The Golden Rules Of CSE

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Thanks giving
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aspects, please do not hesitate to get in
touch with me at:
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