confined space, is a very aspace askdjlj os siasofi aosi alskf0as oasf [aoksf asfk[a oskf aosfk[aofk a[ojf [oka [sok

Presentation heading
Main Applicable U.A.E Legislation
Ministerial Order No. 32 (year 1982) Article 14
Abu Dhabi EHSMS Regulatory Framework, EHS
Regulatory Instrument Code of Practice (27.0, 2.0,
3.0, 6.0,21.0,24.0,52.0,15.0)
UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION
Your lifeline!
Confined Space

What is Underground Construction
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Your lifeline!

Underground construction /
confined space is any space/work
area that has a limited means of
entry and exit, it is large enough for
a person to enter and perform
assigned work. And it is not designed
for continuous work or occupancy,
and may have oxygen deficiency
atmosphere, or accumulation of
toxic, explosive or flammable gases.
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Definition

TYPES OF CONFINED SPACES
• Sewerage pipes
• Manholes / Tanks
• Pumping stations / Utilities valves
• Lift stations
• Pits
• Ducts
• Process vessels and
• Trenches more than four feet deep
Make sure you can recognize any confined space and
take special precautions for work.
In our industry typical confined space examples are include:
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• Be familiar with the hazards of confined spaces
• Know the correct procedure for entering such areas
• Know the correct procedure for working in such area
• Identify hazardous spaces
• Work safely in hazardous spaces
Objectives
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Care and attention must be paid
• Pre job Planning
• Procedure review
• Toolbox Talks
• Communications and
• Discipline

HIERARCHY OF CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
1. Be able to recognize a confined space
2. Obtain permission before entry
3. Understand the hazards before entry
4. Lockout upstream utilities
5. Insure adequate ventilation
6. Standby person must be available
7. Understand the rescue plan
8. Be aware of changing conditions
These eight rules are important for confined space entry

Video-1
• That is what can happen in a confined space when
gas or vapors concentration reaches explosive levels.
• In this manhole methane gas was accumulated,
it does not take much to trigger and explosion.
• If you will be working in this confined space , you
would have only four seconds to live.
• Confined space means twice the risk, because there
are dangerous atmosphere and physical hazards.
• In OSHA report revealed, in 122 confined space
accidents resulted in 173 fatalities , even more
frightening than that, more than half those killed
are rescuers.

Video-1

RULE-1
• You never enter any confined space, unless you
have permission.
• Your Supervisor must be trained on confined
space entry procedures and can provide the
necessary training and equipment.
Be able to recognize a confined space
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GAS TESTING

• Before to start the work, no worker should enter the
confined space without getting a permission first.
• If you don’t have the permission, you don’t enter.
• What is the reason may be, if you may drop your hard
hat in to the manhole or whatever.
• There are limited entry and access, and inside the
confined space there may be oxygen deficiency
atmosphere or atmosphere there are explosives or
toxics. The danger you can face, it could be different
than any other job
Obtain permission before entry
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RULE-2

• You must understand the hazards you can face, before you entry in to the confined
space.
• When you are working in the manhole , you must know what is wet and slippery
down there, you need your boot, your hardhat, gloves, lifeline and harness.
• Before you get the permission to enter the manhole, atmosphere need to be
checked,
• In the manhole job site, We are testing for three kinds of danger atmosphere:
explosive gases, lack of oxygen and toxic condition.
• The testing instruments must be calibrated and used properly.
• Some gases are heavier than air so all area of confined space must be tested.
• Acceptable range for oxygen is 19.5% to 23.5%
• Since many gases can not been seen or smell, never trust your senses to determine
the safety of confined spaces.
• Do not enter any confined space until a competent person has tested and given you
permission.
Understand hazards before entry
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RULE-3

RULE-3
Many confined space deaths are caused by a lack of oxygen.
The causes of oxygen deficiency include:
• Fire or Explosion:
Fire uses up oxygen as it burns --and the danger can continue after the fire is out.
• Displacement of oxygen:
by other materials such as: ---methane, produced by rotting organic matter,
Carbon dioxide, a natural by product of fermentation, and also used in fire
extinguishers and refrigeration. Nitrogen, used in long distance refrigerated
trucks.
• Corrosion or rust: Iron takes oxygen from the air to form rust.
There are 4 major dangers in confined spaces
1.Oxygen Deficiency
Safe Oxygen levels range from 19.5% to 23.5% of the air in the space.
At 16%: You will start developing symptoms like fast breathing and
heartbeat, drowsiness, and nausea.
At 12%: You will be unconscious.
At 6%: You will be dead.
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RULE-3
2.Combustibilty
Deadly fires and explosions in confined spaces can be caused by:
• Chemicals :
Paint, petroleum products and solvents. Even natural materials
can explode there.
• Built –up flammable vapors or gases in a confined space can
be ignited by things like:
--- Spark from grinding or welding.
--- Static electricity.
--- Unapproved electrical equipment
--- Metal friction – even from nails in your shoes.
--- Smoking
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RULE-3
3.Toxicity
Many toxics can’t be seen or smelled. Nevertheless, they present two
types of risk in a confined space.
• Irritation : Even a little of some toxic substances may affect your
respiratory or nervous system. And a lot could kill you.
• Chemical asphyxiation: When some toxic chemicals get in to your
system, they can cut off your oxygen supply or get into your lungs and
asphyxiate you.
• The first symptoms of asphyxiation include: Headache, Drowsiness,
Dizziness, Nausea
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RULE-3
4.Physical Hazards
• Moving parts : in confined spaces are dangerous. This equipment must be locked
out/tagged out before entering.
• Valves and pipes: must be disabled. If not, entering gases or liquids could explode,
or drown, poison, or burn you.
• Engulfment: is a problem, too. Finely divide solids, such as grain or sand, can
collapse around you and suffocate or crush you.
• Noise: reverberates and you could develop permanent hearing problems. Even if
your hearing is just temporarily affected, you might not be able to hear important
directions or warnings.
• Heat: can build up quickly in a confined space and cause exhaustion or even heat
stroke.
• Live wires: could cause electrocution.
• Falls: in confined spaces can be fatal. You could wind up trapped in an area with low
oxygen or toxic gases. Ladder rungs and handholds in damp environments may not
be safe---don’t trust them.
• Odd shapes: such as slopping sides, a floor that taper s to a small section, or a
confusing internal shape could cause you to become trapped and possibly suffocate.
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RULE-3
Risk of Entry
• Failure to identify confined space
• Failure to isolate the vessel
• Failure to isolate internal appliances e.g. mixers
• Exposure to explosive, toxic or asphyxiating
atmosphere
• Exposure to hazardous materials
• Risk associated with work in a confined space e.g.
fumes
• Inability to exit quickly in emergency
• Risk from activities outside the vessel
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RULE-3
Risk Assessment
• Plan and think through the work in advance,
involving all the relevant people including specialists
• Is entry essential, or can the work be done from
outside ?
• All practical means must be employed to make the
vessel / space safe from the outside before entry is
permitted
• The entry permit system is then used to control
entry
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RULE-3
What is an entry permit ?
An entry permit is a ‘contract’ between the Site Supervisor
And the Job Performer, covering:
• Responsibility for all aspects of the entry
• Definition of the confined space, location, and permit
validity
• Isolation and preparation of space and workplace
• (Gas) test results
• Remaining hazards and precautions including monitoring
• Completion and withdrawal of permit
• Distribution of permit copies ensures all interested parties
are informed
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RULE-3
Before issuing a confined space entry certificate
the following precautions shall be taken:
• Personnel assigned shall be trained to ensure effective
Breathing Apparatus use
• Suitable entry and egress to be provided
• Excessive temperature in the confined space shall be
eliminated wherever practical
• Stand-by personnel shall be stationed outside, at point
of entry equipped with BA and rescue equipment
• Job Performer shall maintain a record of personnel
entering and leaving the space
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RULE-3
Life Threatening Atmosphere
An entry permit must not be issued to
enter a life threatening atmosphere
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RULE-3
Gas Testing
The term Gas testing describes the procedure for testing
for:
• Noxious
• Toxic and
• Flammable gases
in the work area.
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RULE-3
Gas Testing
A reading is taken with an explosimeter to determine the
percentage of LEL if there is a flammable atmosphere
A reading is taken with an oxygen analyzer to determine the
oxygen content of the atmosphere within a vessel, tank, sewer,
etc.
In addition a gas test may be required to detect the presence of
toxic gases e.g. H2S
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RULE-3
Combustible Gases and Vapors
• These gases, if undetected, could result in an
explosion due to a naked flame or spark created
during the course of non-routine work.
• Combustible gas detectors are used to measure
the % of gas / air mix and the safe limit for work
is < 5% L.E.L. (Lower Explosive Limit).
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RULE-3
What is Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
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•At very low concentrations when mixed with air it
smells of rotten eggs
•At slightly higher concentrations when mixed with
air it kill sense of smell.
•It is one of the most lethal gas from the family of
hydrocarbon gases

RULE-3
Hydrogen Sulphide –The Killer
•Colourless
•Rotten Egg smell
•Heavier than air
•Flammable
•Water soluble
•Toxic
One Breath is enough to kill
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RULE-3
Threshold Limit Values-TLV
• This value is the maximum concentration of toxic
gas that a worker can be exposed to day after day
without suffering health problems.
• This TLV -TWA - is an average taken over an 8 hour
day, or a 40 hour week.
• Threshold Limit Value – Time Weighted Average
and is normally abbreviated as TLV - TWA
H2S has a TLV of 10 PPM (parts per million)
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RULE-3
Threshold Limit Value short term exposure limit
(TLV –STEL) 15ppm
• This is a higher TLV which defines the maximum
concentration that a person may be exposed to for a
maximum of 15 minutes.
• There should be no more than four such exposure per
day, with at least 1 hour between exposures.
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RULE-3
Threshold limit ceiling (TLV-C)
This is the concentration level beyond which workers
must never be exposed even for a moment . 20 P.P.M
Remember
H2S is a
Killer
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RULE-3
Preparation of Worksite
• Warning notices posted and confined space / vessel
clearly marked for entry
• Good access and escape provided
• Separate access ways for services, hoses, cables etc.
• All means employed to make the site safe from the
outside before entry permitted
• Remove surrounding (<30m) hazards
• Confined space purged and ventilated
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RULE-3
Testing-How? Why? When?
• Gas testing to be carried out, by competent person, for oxygen,
flammable and toxic gas.
• Test equipment of suitable design, regularly inspected, tested /
calibrated and maintained.
• Limitations of equipment and test method recognised.
• High risk areas identified and checked.
• Tested from outside initially, and then inside.
32 of 49

RULE-4
Lockout upstream utilities
• Remember- confined space is difficult to get in and out, there
fore extremely important the potential hazards must be
eliminated before entering.
• Utilities flowing in to this manhole must be locked out and
tagged or blanked, simply closing a valve is not acceptable,
you must be sure that no one will open the valve while you are
working in.
A labor working in 10feet deep trench, forgot to lock out the
existing utilities and someone unintentionally opened the valve
upstream , a labor was pinned / trapped by the valve, he was
working on and drowned when the water filled in trench, it was
the minor mistake but it proves fatal.
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RULE-5
Insure adequate ventilation
• Ventilation is the most effective way ensuring the
safe atmosphere, blowing in fresh air or sucking out
bad air, as the situation dictates, ensuring the
continuous turn over in the confined spaces,
unloading toxic and explosive gases and providing
fresh air to breathe.
• Mechanical ventilation however is not necessary for
every job, many open cut trenches are considered
confined spaces but natural ventilation may be
sufficient to provide the necessary fresh air.
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RULE-6
Standby person must be available
• On every confined space job, a stand by person
must be designated remain outside the space and
stay in contact with worker inside, the standby also
keeps track of every worker inside, and each is
counted for when leaving.
• Incase of emergency , the standby person must
know what to do and he is authorized to order
evacuation.
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RULE-6
Monitoring
• Repeat gas tests or continuous gas monitoring
• Position Vessel Entry Standby’s immediately outside the
confined space – at least one with SCBA if worn for entry
• Control over routine access / exit should be maintained
• If conditions change, in an emergency, and if the general alarm
sounds, persons must be able to exit quickly
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Standby person must be available

RULE-7
• Whether you are inside or outside the confined space you have
to know and follow all emergency rescues plan procedures.
• No one –I repeat --no one to enter confined space for rescue any
one without the proper training and equipment, you know, I will
tell you why, 60% of the workers who die in the confined spaces
are attempting to rescue others.
• Your supervisor will instruct you on equipment and proper
emergency plan procedures for your job sites.
• Removing an injured or unconscious person from the confined
space is most difficult and delicate.
• Safe Rescue must be planned and drill should be conducted
frequently.
Attempted unplanned rescue probably will be your last
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Understand rescue plan

RULE-7
Stand-By Duties
• Remain on duty until relieved
• Maintain an accurate count of all persons in the vessel
• Maintain effective contact with the persons inside the
confined space
• Use a life-line where appropriate
• Monitor activities to confirm that it remains safe for
people to remain inside
• Order evacuation if conditions change to endanger
people inside
• Summon rescue services in an emergency
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RULE-7
If you are an attendant
•Read the entry permit carefully.
•Know all emergency reporting procedures and who to call for
help.
•Keep in constant touch with the workers in the confined
space.
•Know what the hazards of the confined space are and what
• symptoms of exposure to watch out for.
•Be prepared to order evacuation.
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RULE-7
Emergency Action & Rescue
Untrained persons must not ATTEMPT RESCUE
Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) must be
used
If work or entry is stopped for safety reasons, it must
not be restarted until all tests and checks are
repeated and written authorisation given
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•Entry must cease if the emergency siren sounds
•First action is to raise the alarm and summon the emergency
services
•Only specially selected, fit, trained rescuers can attempt
rescue

RULE-7
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RULE-8
Always be aware condition within confined space may
change, be alert for changes:
• In the ventilation flow
• Accumulation of dust or mist
• Headache
• Difficulty in breathing
• Ringing in years and
• Euphoria
are all symptoms of oxygen deficiency any these
conditions can indicate dangers.
43 of 49
Be aware of changing conditions

RULE-8
• Before each work day confined space should be
retested.
• Conditions can change overnight.
• In higher risk confined spaces, it is necessary to test
more often.
• The real horror of the confined space work are the
invisible hazards, which you can’t see, feel or smell.
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Particular in the confined space work:
• Knowledge
• Training and
• Teamwork
are essential.
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RULE-8

RULE-8
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It is not just you to blame one particular person of not
following the procedure, doing something wrong. Always
problems come down due to poor management. We always
come back to the fact that things are sloppy, lacking in order,
great carelessness and unorganized and unsystematic right
from the top of the company downwards.

Conclusion
You are wearing lifeline and confined space work is recognizing ,
understanding and performing according to these 8 rules of safety,
Let us review them:
Rule#1: Be able to recognize a confined space
Rule#2: Obtain permission before entry
Rule#3: Understand the hazards before entry
Rule#4: Lockout upstream utilities
Rule#5: Insure adequate ventilation
Rule#6: Standby person must be available
Rule#7: Understand the rescue plan
Rule#8: Be aware of changing conditions
46 of 49
Your lifeline!

• Entry into confined spaces requires an entry permit, an entry
team and rescue plan
• EVERYONE has duty of care to those inside the confined
space
• ANYONE can and must raise the alarm to evacuate the
confined space if they detect a hazard to the people inside
• Statistics prove that you are more likely to die in confined
space accident than suffer an injury.
• No matter what your job, but when you do confined space
work, prepare carefully and follow all the rules
And
Expect----The Unexpected
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Your lifeline!

Statistics prove that more than 50% those killed in
confined spaces accidents are rescuers.
If Amjed had called for help, he may have saved his
mates’ life as well as his own.
Attempting Unplanned Rescue
----
Probably Will Be Your Last
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Your lifeline!

Presentation heading 49 of 49
Your lifeline!
Oxygen is vital to human life; Lack of Oxygen can lead to
unconsciousness and then death.
While working in confined space if you feel any symptoms of
oxygen deficiency or any other condition that can indicate
dangers---
Don’t - take ---------- chances ----------
just - get out

confined space, is a very aspace askdjlj os siasofi aosi alskf0as oasf [aoksf asfk[a oskf aosfk[aofk a[ojf [oka [sok

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