This document provides guidance on working safely in confined spaces. It defines confined spaces as enclosed or partially enclosed spaces that pose health and safety risks such as asphyxiation or fire. Working in confined spaces is very hazardous, estimated to be 150 times more dangerous than other jobs. Proper procedures and permits are required, including atmospheric testing, ventilation, communication systems, trained attendants to monitor workers, and rescue plans. Workers must be trained on confined space hazards and safety procedures before entering such spaces. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring permits, training, and safe entry conditions are in place.

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Duration 10-15 Mins Methodology  Group discussions
 Briefings
 Practical demo/tasks
 Show and tell
Aides  Handouts
 PTW forms
Assessment  Q & A
 Practical
Introduction
This TBT provides the foundation for the safe working in confined spaces and supports
competence.
The maintenance and operation of many building systems requires workers to enter
confined spaces. When this occurs specific measures and procedures must be adopted to
ensure all employeesare safe.
A confined space is one which is both enclosed and has a reasonably foreseeable risk to
workers of fire, explosion, asphyxiation or drowning. It may be small and restrictive for the
worker or it could be far largersuch as a grain storage silo withhundreds of cubic meter
capacity. It could also be an ISO container where if the door is shut access is denied
Learning Objectives
 Introduce aculture of safe working
 Identify hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs, or
symptoms, and consequencesof the exposure
 Follow procedures before entering a confined space
 Take Responsibility of theirownactions
 Identifythe generaldutiesof the Attendant, EntrantandSupervisor
 To recognize and identify If a situation occurs all workers must be evacuated, permit pulled, and
complete hazard reassessment carried out If a situation occurs all workers must be evacuated,
permitpulled,andcomplete hazardreassessmentcarried out prior toreissueof permitforre‐entry
to reissue of permitforre‐entry situationoccurs all workersmustbe evacuated,permitpulled,and
complete hazard reassessment carried out prior to reissue of permit for re‐entry space.
Importance
Working in a confined space is dangerous because of the risks from;
 Lack of oxygen from noxious fumes and asphyxiants such as dusts and grains
 Poisonous gas, fumes or vapours
 Flooding from the unexpected rush of liquids, gases or solids into a space
 Fire and explosions (from flammable vapours, excess oxygen, etc)
 Highconcentrationsof dust. – Extreme heatleadingtodangerousincreasesin body temperature.
It has been estimated that performing a task inside a confined space is 150 times more
hazardous than doing the same job outside of a confinedspace

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Regulations and requirements
 United Kingdom: Health and Safety Executive - Permit to Work Systems
 Australia: Commonwealth Law - Offshore Petroleum Safety Case contents
 United States: Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Process Safety Management
 Petroleum and natural gas industries: ISO 17776:2000
 European Industrial Gases Association: WORK PERMIT SYSTEMS - Doc. 40/02/E
ES-KO Healthand Safetystandards define that this TBT be givento all Employeeswho workin a confined
space. Every worker who works in a confined space must receive suitable and sufficient training in the
recognition of hazards associated with confined spaces and training to be able to safely perform the
assigned duties for that specific confined space.
Information, Advice & Guidance
What should be done?
Elimination is best, but if not possible consider the following;
 Can the workbe done anotherway?
 Work-planningoradifferentapproachcanoftenreduce the needforconfinedspace working. –
Make use of safe systemsforworkinginside suchspaces
 Ensure the entrance islarge enoughforrescue workersto quicklyaccessaworkerin need. –
Harnessworkersto lifelinesrunningtothe outside of the space. – Improve ventilationwith
additional holesorvents.
 Mechanical ventilationmaybe necessarytoensure anadequate supplyof freshair. –Use non-
sparkingtoolsandspeciallyprotectedlightingwhere flammableorpotentiallyexplosive
atmospheresare likely.
 Nevertry to sweetenthe airina confinedspace withoxygen.Thiscangreatlyincrease the riskof
a fire or explosion
 Ensure a confined space entrypermithasbeen submittedandapproved
 Ensure competencies of all persons forconfined space entry are verified
 Have an effective means of communication in place
 Make sure there isa competentsafetyobserverinplace
 Ensure atmospherictestingisbeingperformed before entryand duringoccupation
 All workersmust have suitable personal protectiveclothingandequipmentavailable and inuse
 Evacuation/rescue proceduresandequipmentmustbe inplace
 If a situationoccurs all workersmustbe evacuated,permitpulled,andcomplete hazard
reassessmentcarried out prior toreissue of permitforre‐entry
Responsibility
Each Supervisor/Site and Project Manager is responsible totake into account:
 Ensuring that required entry permits and associated documents are completed and signed
 Ensuring all staff who carry out work in confined spaces/ restricted spaces are provided with
training
 Take responsibility andaccountability

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 Verify safe entryconditions
 Verify availability and effectiveness of rescue services.
 Keep unauthorized entrants away from the space
 Remove unauthorizedindividuals whoenterorwhoattemptto enterthe permitedspace
 Planeffectively
Each employee isresponsible totake into account the following:
 Communicate with the attendant regularly
 Use all equipmentproperly
 Exit from the permit space immediatelygiven anorder to evacuate, an alarm warning, or a sign
of hazardous condition
 Know permit space hazards, includingthe mode, symptoms, andconsequencesof exposure
 Notify the attendant of any signs or symptoms of exposure to a hazardous condition
 If a situation occurs all workers must be evacuated, permit pulled, and complete hazard
reassessment carried out prior to reissue of permit for re‐entry
Dutiesof an attendant?
 An attendant is a worker who is trained in the hazards of confined spaces and whose primary
responsibility is to monitor and assist the workers in the confined space
 Assistance includesmaintainingcommunicationwith the workers via anadequate communication
system, calling for emergency rescue, providing confined space workers with fresh air packs and
other personal protective equipment
 The attendantis not to enterthe confinedspace,and his/herlocationand activities
will be determinedby the hazardassessmentand the resultingconfined space plan
Questions:
1. What are confined spaces?
2. Name 3 hazards associated with working in confined spaces
3. What are the responsibilities of the worker in confined spaces?
4. Wat are the responsibilities of the attending person in confined spaces?
5. What tests should be done before any person is allowed into a confined space?
Summary – Briefly re-iterate the main points
1. Confined spaces are 150 more hazardous than any other work
2. Permits to work are an important tool in controlling work in confined s paces
3. Ensure workers in confined are provide with suitable and sufficient training before
being allow to work
4. Ensure workers carrying out the work are aware of the hazards present
5. Ensure all workers have the required PPE as identified on PTW

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