Why do we need to control entry into confined spaces so carefully? What is a confined space? What accidents can happen in a confined space? What is done to allow safe entry into a confined space? Working safely in confined spaces What can go wrong? Discussion/Validation

1. Entry Into Confined Spaces
Awareness Training
GBHE Technical Services
By:
Gerard B. Hawkins
Managing Director, CEO

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3. Contents
 Why do we need to control entry into confined
spaces so carefully?
 What is a confined space?
 What accidents can happen in a confined
space?
 What is done to allow safe entry into a confined
space?
 Working safely in confined spaces
 What can go wrong?
 Discussion/Validation

4. Why do we need to control entry into
confined spaces so carefully?
 HSE – Serious accidents have occurred and
continue to occur whilst work is being done inside
confined spaces. A significant number of such
accidents are fatal and multiple fatalities are not
uncommon.
 About 15 fatalities per annum arise from work in
confined spaces.
 About 100 other reportable events occur which
could have resulted in fatalities.
 Entry into confined spaces is a very high risk
activity.

5. Why do we need to control entry into
confined spaces so carefully?

6. What constitutes and entry into a
confined space?
 No hard definition of a confined space – you need
to think!
 Key features
• Enclosed space
• Limited openings to enter and exit
• Potential to have a dangerous atmosphere present or
created
• Difficulty in escaping
 What can create a dangerous atmosphere?
• The nature of the space or its contents
• The nature of any sludge or material within the space
• The work being undertaken in or adjacent to the space

7. What constitutes and entry into a
confined space?
 Some examples of Confines Spaces are
obvious
• Tanks
• Vessels
• Drains and Sewers
• Boilers
• Towers
• Pipes
• Pits
 But what about these
• Welding tent
• Excavations
• Culverts
• Your office/workshop
• A vessel in a workshop

8. What constitutes and entry into a
confined space?
 Entering a Confined Space may not always
be obvious either – when does the entry
take place?
• When you put your hands in?
• When you put your legs in?
• When you put your head in?
• When your whole body is inside?

9. What accidents can happen in a
confined space?
 In summary the general types of accidents
which are common in confined spaces are:
• Engulfment
 Being buried under free-flowing solids
• Drowning
 Especially in drains or sewers
• Being caught in a fire or explosion
 Due to hot work, high oxygen levels
• Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke
 Due to high temperatures
• Contact with Physical Hazards
 Moving machinery, noise, internal structure, residual
chemicals

10. What accidents can happen in a
confined space?
 Most common and important:
• Being overcome by the presence of a Dangerous
Atmosphere
 Gas, fume, vapour, lack or excess of oxygen
 Being buried under free-flowing solids
• Caused by:
 Residual process materials
 Gas or vapour from outside the confined space
 Disturbance of sludge or deposit within the confined space
 Fumes produced by work being done in the confined space
 Products of combustion of fuels
 Leaks from equipment being used
 Residual purging materials
 Rust or scale

11. What is done to allow safe entry into a
confined space?
 A risk assessment covering the following points
must always be carried out prior to any entry:
• A review of the work to see whether it can be done
without an entry
• Isolation of the confined space from sources of
dangerous gas or fume and other potential hazards
• Cleaning and purging of the confined space to remove
any residual flammable or toxic gases, fumes or other
deposits.
• Prevention of unauthorised entry
• Atmosphere sampling and testing
• Assessment of appropriate precautions for all residual
hazards
• Definition of emergency arrangements

12. What is done to allow safe entry into a
confined space?
 Before entry all the defined arrangements must
be put in place including:
• All items specified for safety including provision of
suitable access, lightning, ventilation and emergency
equipment (BA, harnesses etc).
• The emergency arrangements – rescue plan, standby
person, means of escape, hoists, lifelines, harnesses etc.
• The issue of an Entry Permit detailing all the
arrangements and precautions.
 But this is only effective is all personnel involved
in the work understands the requirements and
use them!

13. Working safely in confined spaces
 What must you do to allow safe working in a
confined space?
• You must always have a valid Entry Permit, have read it
and clearly understood it and all of the specified
precautions for the entry and the work you will be doing
• Always ensure that all the arrangements to allow safe
entry are in place
• Always use the safety precautions provided
• Always be alert to the possible hazards and leave a
confined space if you feel unwell or see or smell
anything unusual.
• Always obey any instructions from the standby person.

14. Working safely in confined spaces
 What must you do to allow safe working in a
confined space?
• Never put your head and shoulders inside a confined
space
• Never make an unauthorised entry into a confined space
• Never take any unauthorised chemicals into a confined
space
• Never take ay unauthorised tools or equipment into a
confined space
• Never eat, drink ort smoke inside a confined space
• Never take short cuts or abuse any of the safety
precautions provided

15. What can go wrong?
 Olefins
• Unauthorised Entry, Inadequate Purging
 Acrylics
• Inadequate Ventilation, Inadequate Atmosphere
Sampling
 Welsh Sewer
• Inadequate Isolation, No Rescue Facilities
 Ammonia Plant
• Insecure Isolations
 Solvent Cleaning Operation
• Inadequate Risk Assessment
 Biscuit Factory
• Inadequate Isolation of Moving Machinery