Confined Space (N702)

Presented by Simon Long A.I.I.R.S.M

Unrestricted Subject Matter

Permit Issuer CSE Equipment Atmosphere Tests Safe Systems of Work Entrants Permits to work Observers Emergency procedures Legislation

The primary legislation applicable to entry into confined spaces includes:

Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Legislation

There is a duty under section 2(2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary … This includes:

Awareness of the Confined Spaces Regulations, particularly avoiding entry

Understanding of the work, the hazards, the necessary precautions

Understanding of the safe system of work and permits-to-work

How emergencies arise, the need to follow emergency arrangements, the dangers of not doing so Confined Space Accidents

For every 1,400 work-related accidents reported, a confined space has resulted in death or serious injury

In confined spaces for every 10 incidents on average 1-2 people die

For every 10 untrained people that attempt to execute rescue 6 of them die Confined Space Accidents

If that’s hard to believe, then look at the statistics below!

For every one person that dies in a confined space on average, almost two untrained rescuers die with them trying to execute a rescue.

So, on average in the UK their may be 25 deaths per year related to confined spaces What is a confined space?

A space which is substantially or entirely enclosed or where there is a foreseeable risk of serious injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby.

Examples include vessels, tanks, rail tanks, road tankers, process equipment, hoppers, silos pits and open top spaces What is a specified risk?

Serious injury from fire or explosion Loss of consciousness from an increase in body temperature

Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation from gas, fume, vapour or lack of oxygen Drowning in liquid Asphyxiation by a free flowing solid or inability to reach a respirable environment due to a free flowing solid Types of Confined Space

• Closed Tanks • Reaction Vessels. • Large Ducts. • Sewers. • Open Topped Tanks. • Boilers. • Furnaces. • Silos. • Vats. • Other spaces containing the potential for specified risks Confined Spaces Regulations 1997

Regulation 4(1)

“no person shall enter a confined space to carry out work for any purpose unless it is not reasonably practicable to achieve that purpose without such entry” Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Regulation 3 - Risk Assessment

Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of- the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking, Confined Space Risk Assessment

• Consider: • the reasons for entry • the work to be done • who would be involved • Potential hazards present during: • Access • work inside the confined space • egress Confined Space Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is to take account of the general condition of the confined space including:

• Residues • Previous contents • Contamination • Oxygen deficiency or enrichment • Physical dimensions Confined Space Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is to take account of the general condition of the confined space including:

• Hazards from the actual work • Cleaning chemicals • Sources of ignition • Fumes Confined Space Risk Assessments

The risk assessment is to take account the need to isolate & prevent the danger from outside of:

• ingress of substances e.g. liquids, gases, mist, fume or vapours

• heat

• electrical or other energy to moving parts

It should also take account of requirements for emergency rescue arrangements and communication systems. Confined Space Hazards Hazard:

A hazard is the potential of a substance, activity or process to cause harm and could be described as a possible level of danger. Risk:

A risk is the likelihood of a substance, Activity or process to cause harm

A risk can be reduced and the hazard controlled by good management Hazardous Atmospheres

• Flammable vapours / dusts

• Toxic vapours

• Corrosive / Irritant vapours & mist

• Oxygen deficiency Atmosphere Tests

The atmosphere must be tested prior to entry

Checks are made for the following:

• Oxygen levels

• Toxicity

• Flammability levels of the atmosphere Atmosphere Tests Checks are made to ensure that a confined space has enough oxygen to support life.

If the Oxygen content of any space falls below 19.5% , then Breathing Apparatus / Escape Set must be used.

Other requirements may be identified in the risk assessment e.g. air mover Atmosphere Tests Atmosphere Tests

• If the Oxygen content of any space is above 23.5% the space will not be entered.

• >23.5% encourages some materials to spontaneously combust and in general causes materials to burn more vigorously. CSE EQUIPMENT Rescue harnesses and safety lines: CSE EQUIPMENT

Atmosphere testing equipment: CSE EQUIPMENT

Standard Two Way Radio Must be intrinsically safe if it is to be used in a potentially flammable atmosphere CSE EQUIPMENT

Surface supplied breathing Emergency escape Sets Self contained apparatus (EES) breathing apparatus (SSBA) (SCBA) Some common gas hazards

Hydrogen sulphide: colorless, rotten eggs smell, heavier than air, flammable, very toxic, kills sense of smell

Chlorine: Yellow-green, choking odour, heavier than air, non-flammable, oxidiser, very toxic. Some common gas hazards

Petroleum Vapour: Colourless, smell, heavier than air, very flammable & toxic.

Carbon Monoxide: Colourless, odourless, lighter than air, flammable & toxic Some common gas hazards

Carbon Dioxide: Colourless, odourless, heavier than air, non-flammable, toxic, oxygen displacer.

Methane: Colourless, odourless, lighter than air, very flammable Confined Space Hazards

• Oxygen enrichment

• Engulfment ( liquid, substances )

• Thermal Effects ( temperature extremes )

• Asphyxiating Atmospheres. Confined Space Hazards

General Safety Hazards.

Mechanical: • Activation of Electrical or Mechanical

Equipment: • Scaffolding, Structural hazards. • Surface Residues. • Pressure Lines. e.g. (air ) • Falling objects Control Measures For Confined Space Entry Work Confined spaces control measures

• Risk Assessment

• Permit to work System

• Method Statement

• Air Monitoring

• Top Man

• Adequate Emergency Procedures

• Adequate Communication system Confined spaces control measures

• Trained & authorised entrants

• Access & Egress equipment

• Escape set’s if required

• Rescue team & resuscitation equipment

• Isolation of the space

• Cleaning & purging of the space

• Ventilation, air movers & ducting. Confined spaces control measures

• Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

• Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus (SSBA) Confined spaces control measures

Equipment: Man Riding Winch

• Must have LOLER Cert every 6 months

• Must be checked before use

• Must be trained & competent to use Confined spaces control measures

Equipment: Harness & Rescue Lines

Must be checked for, wear, tear & damage

Wearer must be trained & competent to use Confined spaces control measures

Equipment: Air monitoring equipment

(Multi gas meter) is recommended for confined space entry Confined spaces control measures

To use Flammable / Toxic Gas monitoring equipment the Safety attendant must: Be trained in the use of the equipment Be competent in the use of the equipment Have a knowledge of the hazards and types of Gases Be thorough and methodical Always follow the conditions in the Permit to work Confined spaces control measures

Test The Atmosphere:

• Check for Oxygen Content

• Check for Flammable Gases

• Check for Toxic Gases Confined spaces control measures

Always test the atmosphere at various levels through out the confined space to Good air 19.5% - 23.5% ensure the entire space is safe to enter (Follow the conditions laid out in the permit to enter)

Poor air 17.5% - 10%

Good air near the opening does NOT mean the entire confined Deadly air 10% - 6% space contains enough oxygen to sustain life Confined spaces control measures

Equipment:

Chemical / Biological PPE depending on the level of risk from the confined space. Confined spaces control measures

Intrinsically safe equipment:

Is a standard (e.g. CE / Kite mark) for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Confined space control measures The top man / sentry attendant is part of the control measures:

To monitor entrants during the job and during entry & exit to help ensure their safety To monitor atmospheric conditions in the space prior to and during work activities To control access to the confined space To summon emergency assistance as needed To assess the hazards in and around the confined space To keep records of confined space work To keep records of atmosphere tests (As required by the Confined Space Entry Permit) Emergency Arrangements

• Suitable and sufficient arrangements for emergency rescue must be in place (Recorded on the Confined space entry permit) before the confined space is entered

• Emergency arrangements will be dependent on the nature of the confined space and the risks identified on the risk assessment and the likely nature of an emergency rescue

• It is not sufficient to rely on the public emergency services

• Consideration must be given to accidents arising from a specified risk

• Consideration must be given to any other accidents in which a person needs to be recovered for example incapacitation following a fall Emergency Arrangements

To be suitable and sufficient the arrangements for rescue and resuscitation should cover:

• Rescue and resuscitation equipment • Raising the alarm and rescue • Safeguarding the rescuers • Fire safety • Control of plant • First aid • Public emergency services • Suitable & sufficient communications • Training Emergency Arrangements An Emergency can be:

• Fire or Explosion

• Drowning

• Gas or Vapour emission (flammable or toxic)

• Chemical spill

• Accident (person’s injured, gassed. asphyxiated)

• Services Failure

• Entrapment Emergency Arrangements

NEVER!!

Enter a Confined space to attempt a rescue unless you are part of a rescue team & have been fully trained in rescue techniques and equipment.

Remember Confined Spaces KILL!! Confined Space Communications

Confined space regulations state that there must adequate communications:

• A communication system should enable communication between those inside the space

• Between those inside the space and outside

• And to enable the summoning of help in an emergency e.g. The top man & Emergency services Confined Space Communications

Methods of Communication

• Voice Visual (hand signals)

• Radio (intrinsically safe)

• Rope signals

• Entrant wearer alarm (EWA)

• Communication System (earpiece, microphone etc.) Confined Space Communications

Difficulties with communication:

• Noise - work activities inside the space: e.g. power tools (grinders etc.)

• Noise - outside the confined space. traffic, pumps, fans, other work activities.

• Visibility inside confined space. Confined Space Communications

Difficulties with communication:

• Distance from entry point

• Wearing of Breathing Apparatus

• Structural obstructions

• Scaffold, baffles in tanks, pipe work Confined Space Communications

Good Communications:

• Will assist to monitor entrants well being

• Will help reduce stress and anxiety

• Will improve rescue operations

• Can support workers in distress in confined spaces prior to rescue Confined Space Communications

Ensure that:

• There is an adequate Communication system in place

• Everybody understands what it means

• Communication is easy & rapid

• People know how to react

• There is communication discipline Precious Time - The Cody Mc Nolty story Any Questions?