Description of confined space hazard

1. HAZARDS
HAZARDS
OF
OF
CONFINED SPACES
CONFINED SPACES

2. City of Langley
City of Langley
 As per OG #2.14.06, Confined Space Rescue, Policy:
As per OG #2.14.06, Confined Space Rescue, Policy:
 “
“Only personnel trained in confined space
Only personnel trained in confined space
operations will enter confined spaces.”
operations will enter confined spaces.”
 This session does not constitute confines space
This session does not constitute confines space
operations training, it is simply an awareness session.
operations training, it is simply an awareness session.

3. AGENDA
AGENDA
 What is Confined Space
What is Confined Space
 Danger’s of Unplanned Rescue Attempts
Danger’s of Unplanned Rescue Attempts
 Hazards
Hazards
 Oxygen Levels
Oxygen Levels
 Toxins / Explosions
Toxins / Explosions
 Physical Hazards
Physical Hazards

4. WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
 A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed
A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed
area that is:
area that is:
 Is large enough to get a whole body inside,
Is large enough to get a whole body inside,
 Is not designed for someone to work in regularly, but
Is not designed for someone to work in regularly, but
workers may need to enter the confined space for
workers may need to enter the confined space for
tasks such as:
tasks such as: inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair.
inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair.
 Entry and exit is difficult and can complicate rescue
Entry and exit is difficult and can complicate rescue
procedures.
procedures.

5. WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
 Examples of confined spaces:
Examples of confined spaces:
 Tanks
Tanks
 Manure pits
Manure pits (e.g.. Mushroom barn)
(e.g.. Mushroom barn)
 Storage bins
Storage bins
 Boilers
Boilers
 Double hulls
Double hulls
 Vats
Vats
 Pumping stations
Pumping stations
 Kilns
Kilns
 Pits, sumps
Pits, sumps
 Vaults
Vaults
 Vessels
Vessels
 Silos
Silos
 Manholes
Manholes
 Pipelines
Pipelines
 Water reservoirs
Water reservoirs
 Sewers, Other similar spaces
Sewers, Other similar spaces

6. WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
 Entry into confined spaces can be very hazardous and
Entry into confined spaces can be very hazardous and
potentially deadly.
potentially deadly.
 Unless proper training, equipment, and procedures are
Unless proper training, equipment, and procedures are
in place, workers
in place, workers are not
are not allowed to enter such spaces.
allowed to enter such spaces.
 A worker is considered to have entered a confined
A worker is considered to have entered a confined
space just by putting his or her head across the plane
space just by putting his or her head across the plane
of the opening.
of the opening.
 Absolutely no employee may enter a confined space
Absolutely no employee may enter a confined space
for any reason unless properly trained
for any reason unless properly trained
 awareness training such as this session does not qualify as the
awareness training such as this session does not qualify as the
training needed to enter a confined space.
training needed to enter a confined space.

7. WHAT ARE THE
WHAT ARE THE
DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE?
DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE?
 Did you Know:
Did you Know:
 TWO-THIRDS,
TWO-THIRDS,
 Of all confined space fatalities occur among would-be rescuers.
Of all confined space fatalities occur among would-be rescuers.
 Who is a rescuer?
Who is a rescuer?
 Anyone (
Anyone (workers, police, ambulance, fire, etc
workers, police, ambulance, fire, etc.) who attempts to save someone
.) who attempts to save someone
in a confined space.
in a confined space.
 If you come upon a scene where you hear of or see people who have succumb
If you come upon a scene where you hear of or see people who have succumb
to vapors/fumes, etc. and are conscious or unconscious
to vapors/fumes, etc. and are conscious or unconscious DO NOT rush in
DO NOT rush in.
.
Analyze the environment to establish if the area may be a confined space or an
Analyze the environment to establish if the area may be a confined space or an
exposure (ex. Carbon monoxide in a garage).
exposure (ex. Carbon monoxide in a garage).
 Remember, even a well-planned rescue can end up as a body retrieval.
Remember, even a well-planned rescue can end up as a body retrieval.
 To prevent deaths:
To prevent deaths:
 It is critical to use good confined space entry practices
It is critical to use good confined space entry practices AND
AND training so that
training so that
there is no need for rescue operations.
there is no need for rescue operations.

8. WHAT ARE THE
WHAT ARE THE
DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE?
DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE?
 WHY HAVE CONFINED SPACES KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE?
WHY HAVE CONFINED SPACES KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE?
 Confined spaces are deceiving.
Confined spaces are deceiving.
 A confined space often appears to be harmless; no danger signs are
A confined space often appears to be harmless; no danger signs are
apparent & the space may have been entered on prior occasions without
apparent & the space may have been entered on prior occasions without
incident. However, a worker cannot assume that conditions have not
incident. However, a worker cannot assume that conditions have not
changed and that the space is safe for entry each time.
changed and that the space is safe for entry each time.
 WHY DO SO MANY FATALITES RESULT FROM EMERGENCY RESCUE?
WHY DO SO MANY FATALITES RESULT FROM EMERGENCY RESCUE?
 Fatalities can occur when the rescuers:
Fatalities can occur when the rescuers:
 Are overcome by their emotions
Are overcome by their emotions
 Take unnecessary chances
Take unnecessary chances
 Do not know the hazards involved
Do not know the hazards involved
 Do not have a plan of action
Do not have a plan of action
 Lack confines space rescue training
Lack confines space rescue training

9. WHAT ARE THE
WHAT ARE THE
DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE?
DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE?
 IS IT IMPORTANT TO INFORM CONFINED SPACE WORKERS AND RESCUERS OF THE
IS IT IMPORTANT TO INFORM CONFINED SPACE WORKERS AND RESCUERS OF THE
FOUR-MINUTE LIMINATION?
FOUR-MINUTE LIMINATION?
 Absolutely. It is important to know that the period of time for successful rescue is very
Absolutely. It is important to know that the period of time for successful rescue is very
limited. Otherwise, a rescue attempt will become body retrieval. After only four
limited. Otherwise, a rescue attempt will become body retrieval. After only four
minutes without oxygen, it is very likely that a worker will experience asphyxiation,
minutes without oxygen, it is very likely that a worker will experience asphyxiation,
which may result in brain damage or death.
which may result in brain damage or death.
 WHAT DOES ONE NEED TO ASSUME IN ANY CONFINED SPACE RESCUE OPERATION?
WHAT DOES ONE NEED TO ASSUME IN ANY CONFINED SPACE RESCUE OPERATION?
 Everyone involved in a rescue should assume that the space is deadly!
Everyone involved in a rescue should assume that the space is deadly!
 Under no circumstance should you rush in to rescue unless you have the training, PPE,
Under no circumstance should you rush in to rescue unless you have the training, PPE,
equipment, and safe work procedures to do so.
equipment, and safe work procedures to do so.

10. WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF CONFINED
WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF CONFINED
SPACES?
SPACES?
 The atmosphere in a confined space may be
The atmosphere in a confined space may be
hazardous for several reasons:
hazardous for several reasons:
 The air may have too little or too much oxygen.
The air may have too little or too much oxygen.
 The atmosphere may be toxic or explosive.
The atmosphere may be toxic or explosive.
 Confined spaces could also have some of the
Confined spaces could also have some of the
physical hazards.
physical hazards.

11. TOO LITTLE / TOO MUCH
TOO LITTLE / TOO MUCH
OXYGEN IN CONFINED SPACES
OXYGEN IN CONFINED SPACES
 Lack of oxygen is a leading cause of death among workers entering confined spaces.
Lack of oxygen is a leading cause of death among workers entering confined spaces.
 Low oxygen levels cannot be detected by sight or smell. You must test the air for this
Low oxygen levels cannot be detected by sight or smell. You must test the air for this
hazardous condition. A very low level of oxygen can damage the brain and cause the heart to
hazardous condition. A very low level of oxygen can damage the brain and cause the heart to
stop after a few minutes.
stop after a few minutes.
 What causes oxygen deficiency?
What causes oxygen deficiency?
 Here are some common causes of oxygen deficiency (not enough oxygen) in a confined
Here are some common causes of oxygen deficiency (not enough oxygen) in a confined
space:
space:
 Oxygen is used up when metals rust.
Oxygen is used up when metals rust.
 Oxygen is used up during combustion — for example, by propane space heaters, during
Oxygen is used up during combustion — for example, by propane space heaters, during
cutting or welding, and by internal combustion engines.
cutting or welding, and by internal combustion engines.
 Oxygen can be replaced by other gases — for example, welding gases or gases forced
Oxygen can be replaced by other gases — for example, welding gases or gases forced
into the space to prevention corrosion.
into the space to prevention corrosion.
 Micro-organisms use up oxygen — for example, in sewer lines and fermentation vessels.
Micro-organisms use up oxygen — for example, in sewer lines and fermentation vessels.
 Too much oxygen is not as common a hazard as low oxygen, but it is also dangerous.
Too much oxygen is not as common a hazard as low oxygen, but it is also dangerous.
 Too much oxygen greatly increases the risk of fire or explosion in the confined space.
Too much oxygen greatly increases the risk of fire or explosion in the confined space.
 Materials that would not normally catch fire or burn in normal air may do so extremely
Materials that would not normally catch fire or burn in normal air may do so extremely
quickly and easily where there is a high level of oxygen.
quickly and easily where there is a high level of oxygen.

12. THE AIR MAY BE TOXIC OR
THE AIR MAY BE TOXIC OR
EXPLOSIVE
EXPLOSIVE
 Contaminants in the air can result in an atmosphere that is toxic
Contaminants in the air can result in an atmosphere that is toxic
to workers and may result in injury or death.
to workers and may result in injury or death.
 Some toxic gases typically found in confined spaces are:
Some toxic gases typically found in confined spaces are:
 Argon (Ar)
Argon (Ar) ~
~ Displaces Oxygen
Displaces Oxygen
 Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) ~ Displaces oxygen, toxic
~ Displaces oxygen, toxic
 Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide (CO) ~ Toxic
~ Toxic
 Chlorine (Cl2)
Chlorine (Cl2) ~ Toxic
~ Toxic
 Gasoline Vapors
Gasoline Vapors ~ Fire and explosion
~ Fire and explosion
 Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ~ Flammable, toxic
~ Flammable, toxic
 Methane (CH4)
Methane (CH4) ~ Fire and explosion
~ Fire and explosion
 Nitrogen (N2)
Nitrogen (N2) ~ Displaces oxygen
~ Displaces oxygen
 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ~ Toxic
~ Toxic
 Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) ~ Toxic
~ Toxic
 Oxygen (O2)
Oxygen (O2) ~ Low and High levels cause asphyxiate / explosion
~ Low and High levels cause asphyxiate / explosion

13. PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE
PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE
 Loose and unstable materials
Loose and unstable materials
 Whenever unstable solids made of small particles like sand or grain
are stored in enclosures, there is a danger of the materials flowing
onto workers and trapping or burying them.
 Slips, trip and fall hazards
Slips, trip and fall hazards
 The space you are about to enter may have a hatchway that is
difficult to squeeze through, and ladders for ascending or
descending. You are therefore at risk of falling while getting into the
space as well as while you are inside. In addition, the flooring of
tanks or other wet environments or the rungs of a ladder may be
very slippery.
 Falling objects
Falling objects
 In a confined space there may be the danger of being struck by
falling objects such as tools or equipment, particularly if access ports
or workstations are located above workers.

14. PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE
PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE
 Moving parts of equipment and machinery
Moving parts of equipment and machinery
 Mechanical equipment such as augers, mixers, or rotating tanks can
be dangerous if activated or not secured. Residual energy, such as
gravity or accumulated pressure, may also pose a risk unless the
equipment is locked out and de-energized.
 Electrical shock
Electrical shock
 All electrical sources that pose a hazard to workers inside the space
must be locked out following the written lockout procedure for the
particular confined space.
 Substances entering through piping
Substances entering through piping
 Piping adjacent to a confined space could contain liquids or gases or
other harmful substances. Substances must be prevented from
entering the confined space through piping. This is done by
“isolating” the piping from the confined space.

15. PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE
PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE
 Poor visibility
Poor visibility
 Emergency lighting such as flashlights or battery-operated area units must be provided
where necessary, so that workers can locate exits and escape.
 Temperature extremes
Temperature extremes
 Special precautions are needed before workers enter equipment such as boilers, reaction
vessels, and low-temperature systems. A qualified person must provide these
procedures.
 Noise
Noise
 Noise produced in confined spaces can be particularly harmful because of reflection off
walls.
 Risk of drowning
Risk of drowning
 Confined spaces should be fully drained or dry when entered. Spaces that are
not fully drained or dry may pose a risk of drowning. The risk of drowning in a
vat or tank with a large amount of liquid is easily recognized. However, workers
have drowned in small pools of liquid. For example, insufficient oxygen, the
presence of a toxic gas, or a blow to the head can make workers unconscious.
Workers who have fallen face-down into a small pool of water have drowned.

16. CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM
 Before workers perform work in a confined space, the employer must prepare
and implement a written confined space entry program.
 The confined space entry program must include the following:
 An assignment of responsibilities.
 A list of each confined space or group of similar spaces, and a written hazard
assessment of those spaces prepared by a qualified person.
 Written safe work procedures for entry into and work in each of the confined spaces.
Each procedure must be written specifically for each of the hazards that exist in each
space during each entry.
 The equipment necessary for each entry must also be provided, including testing
devices, air-moving devices, isolation and lockout devices, and personal protective
equipment.
 A signed permit where required.
 Training of employees.
 A rescue plan.

17.  WorkSafeBC Video:
WorkSafeBC Video:
 Confined Space Awareness
Confined Space Awareness

18. Questions?
Questions?