1. The Need for Confined Space
Training and Requirements
2. What is a Confined Space?
A confined space must fulfill two conditions:
A. A confined space means a space which;
- Is not intended as a regular workplace; or for continuous occupancy
- Has restricted means of entry or exit
- Is large enough for workers to bodily enter and perform assigned work
- Is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy
B. In addition the space must at least;
- Have the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
- Contain material (solid or fluid) that can engulf an entrant
- Contain any other recognized serious safety or health hazards for
example moving parts, piping carrying high pressure steam, etc.
IN SHORT:
A CONFINED SPACE IS ANY SPACE THAT WILL HAVE A CONFINED ATMOSPHERE!
4. Why Do You Have To Enter Confined Spaces?
• Because you are given a job involving work in confined spaces
such as:
- Cleaning, inspection, painting, maintenance
- Modification involving hot works, repairs, etc.
• Because you are the Authorized Gas Tester, and it is your job
to test the atmosphere and ensure it is safe for others to
enter.
• Because you are with the emergency rescue team:
- to rescue people in trouble in confined spaces.
• A person whose head is within a confined space is considered
to have entered the confined space!
5. Why Do We NEED Confined Space Training?
• Many people have died in confined spaces. Number of cases are
alarming.
• Training is designed to make the workers aware that accidents are
predictable and can be prevented.
• Training in Confined Space will help workers to identify and control
hazards in any confined space.
US Statistics, 1980-1989
• 585 separate fatal confined space accidents, 670 victims.
• 72 of the accidents involved multiple victims, 513 cases involved
single victims.
• Average of 67 deaths/year
6. Accidents are PREDICTABLE & PREVENTABLE
TWO WORKERS FOUND DEAD IN MANHOLE
(The Malay Mail, 27th October, 2003)
PREDICTABILITY
• The manhole is recognized as a confined space
• Manholes will ALWAYS HAVE HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERES
- oxygen deficiency
- presence of toxic gases
• There has been many cases of accidents in manholes
PREVENTABILITY
• The accident could be prevented if management had a proper confined
space entry program:
- Carrying out gas detection
• Proper ventilation is assured
• Ensuring availability of standby person and a rescue team
7. Causes of Incidents
Worker
• Not recognizing space as a confined space
• Not educated on potential hazards in confined space
• Trusting their senses, and underestimating the danger
• Failure to use, or unavailability of respiratory equipment
• Trying to rescue other people
Management
• No confined space program
• Not equipped to manage the emergency situation
11. CODE OF PRACTICE
General Requirements
• To develop and implement a written confined space program
• To take measures to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the
confined space
Confined Space Program
• Risk control should be based on risk assessment
• Permit To Work System
• Stand-By Person
• Identification of Duties
• Employee Training
• Equipment to be provided
• Coordination of entry operations
12. CODE OF PRACTICE
Permit To Work System
• To prepare permit to work based on risks identified
• Permit to be issued after ensuring that :
– All hazards have been identified and controlled
– Isolations have been carried out including LOTO
– Gas testing has been done
• The duration should be just sufficient to complete the work
• Authorized person MUST CANCEL THE WORK if a change in condition arises.
• Permit to be closed by authorized person after completion of work
13. CODE OF PRACTICE
Isolation Requirements
• Prevent accidental introduction of hazardous material or substances into
Confined space
• De-energize and lock out/tag out all machinery
• Isolate all external energy sources
14. CODE OF PRACTICE
Ensure Safety of Atmosphere
• Precautions have to be taken to establish and maintain a safe atmosphere
within the confined space, for duration of the occupancy.
• There are two types of entry :
1. Initial Cleaning/preparation for entry ; Isolation of hazards, purging,
initial cleaning and testing and evaluation of the atmosphere
2. Actual Work ; Retesting of atmosphere and issuance of permit to
work.
15. CODE OF PRACTICE
Training
• Employees who are involved in confined space work, serving as stand-by
persons or issue permits must undergo training of confined space safety
program.
• Initial training and retraining at appropriate intervals must be provided for
these workers
16. CODE OF PRACTICE
Health Requirements
• Employees should be proven to be certified physically and mentally fit
• Fits, blackout and fainting
• History of heart disease and heart disorder
• High blood pressure
• Asthma, bronchitis and shortness of breath
• Sensory problems : eyesight problems, hearing problems, defective smell
etc.
• Back pain or joint trouble that limits mobility
17. CODE OF PRACTICE
Employer Duties
• To inform his employees/contractor
– Entry is allowed only if requirements of COP are complied
– Hazards are identified and controlled
– Precautionary measures and procedures
• Coordinate entry operation with contractors
• Conduct debriefing and end of entry
• Ensure all persons involved in entry operation carryout their duties.
18. CODE OF PRACTICE
Authorized Gas Tester (AGT) Duties
• To have knowledge of hazards in confined space
• To identify and recommend control measures to ensure safe entry
• Familiar with all equipment used in confined space entry
• Test and interpret the reading from gas detector
19. CODE OF PRACTICE
Entry Supervisor Duties
• Have knowledge of hazards that may be faced during entry operation
• Ensure the permit to work has been filled, tests specified, procedures and
equipment specified in the permit are in place before endorsing the permit
and allowing the entry
• Terminate the entry and cancel the permit
• Ensure that unauthorized persons do not enter the confined space
• To ensure that entry operation remains consistent with terms in the permit
• Brief entry team on the emergency procedures.
20. CODE OF PRACTICE
Authorized Entrants Duties
• To have knowledge of hazards in the confined space
• To use equipment required to perform the tasks assigned correctly
• To communicate with stand-by person regularly
• To evacuate, if required, as quickly and safely as possible.
21. CODE OF PRACTICE
Stand-By Person Duties
• To have knowledge of the hazards in the confined space
• Aware of possible behavioral changes due to exposure to hazards in the
confined space
• To ensure accurate count and identification of entrants in the confined
space
• Stationed outside the confined space during entry operation
• Communicate with entrants regularly and to alert of the need to evacate.
• To monitor the activities inside and outside the confined space
• To summon rescue if required ; Do not attempt rescue
• Perform non-entry rescue if required
• Not to perform any duties that may interfere with stand-by person duties.
22. CODE OF PRACTICE
Rescue and Emergency Duties
• The employer has to establish a rescue and first aid procedure and provide
rescue equipment.
• Rescue procedures should consider :
– The shape and size of the confined space
– The nature of the task to be performed
– Obstacles within the confined space
– Size and position of access points
– Number of persons in the confined space
23. SO WHICH IS A CONFINED SPACE ENTRY CASE
AND WHICH IS NOT?
1. WELDER REPAIRING DAMAGED S/STEEL PLATE INSIDE FFB TIPPING RAMP?
2. SUPERVISORS RECORDING PROCESS EVENTS IN CONTROL ROOM?
3. CLEANING OUT OF CONDENSATE PITS DURING WEEKEND CLEANING?
4. FITTER REPLACING A DEFECTIVE GEAR BOX ON THE DIGESTER VERTICAL
DRIVE?
5. OPERATORS RETRIEVING FALLEN METAL FROM THE AUTO-FEEDER?
