HSE DOCUMENTS-CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROCEDURE

 

Title: HSE Documents - Confined Space Entry Procedure

Introduction:

The Confined Space Entry Procedure is a crucial document developed by the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)-HSE Documents. This comprehensive guideline outlines the necessary steps, precautions, and safety measures to be followed when entering and working in confined spaces. Confined spaces are areas with limited access and egress, poor ventilation, and potentially hazardous atmospheric conditions, making them particularly risky for workers. Therefore, a well-structured procedure is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel performing tasks within such environments.

Key Components:

1. Definition of Confined Spaces: The article begins with a clear definition of confined spaces, providing a comprehensive list of scenarios that can be classified as such. This helps readers understand the scope of the procedure and identify confined spaces in their workplace.

 

2. Responsibilities and Roles: The document outlines the roles and responsibilities of various personnel involved in the confined space entry process. This typically includes the authorized entrant, attendant, entry supervisor, and rescue team members. Each person's duties and qualifications are clearly stated to avoid confusion during critical operations.

 

3. Permitting System: The article explains the importance of a confined space entry permit system. It details how to obtain a permit, the required information to be included, and the approval process. The permitting system helps to formalize the entry procedure, ensuring that all necessary precautions are in place before allowing entry.

4. Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification: A comprehensive risk assessment is a vital component of the procedure. The article discusses the process of identifying potential hazards and evaluating risks associated with working in a confined space. This includes assessing atmospheric conditions, physical hazards, and any other factors that could endanger workers.

 

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The article emphasizes the significance of proper PPE and its mandatory use during confined space entry. It specifies the specific PPE required for different confined space scenarios and highlights the importance of proper training in handling and wearing such equipment.

 

6. Atmospheric Monitoring and Ventilation: Proper atmospheric monitoring is crucial to ensure the confined space is safe for entry. The article provides guidelines for continuous monitoring of gases, vapors, and oxygen levels. Additionally, it covers the use of ventilation to maintain a safe atmosphere within the confined space.

 

7. Entry and Exit Procedures: This section focuses on the step-by-step process for entering and exiting confined spaces safely. It covers pre-entry checks, communication procedures, and emergency protocols for evacuation if necessary.

 

8. Emergency Response and Rescue Plan: The article emphasizes the importance of having a well-defined emergency response plan in place. It outlines the measures to be taken in case of an emergency, including rescue procedures, medical assistance, and coordination with external support services.

 

9. Training and Awareness: The document underscores the necessity of training all personnel involved in confined space entry procedures. Proper training ensures that employees are aware of the potential hazards and equipped to handle emergencies competently.

Conclusion:

The Confined Space Entry Procedure article is an indispensable guide that aims to protect workers from the inherent dangers associated with confined spaces. By following this comprehensive procedure, organizations can mitigate risks, promote safety, and create a work environment where employees can confidently perform tasks within confined spaces without compromising their well-being.

PURPOSE

To ensure the safety of all personnel involved in confined space entry. From time to time, confined space must be entered for purposes of inspecting, repairs, and work. Adherence to sound confined space entry procedures is mandatory for all projects. It is the responsibility of each individual to comply with the approved procedures.

GENERAL

These procedures are intended to assist in anthem recognition of confined spaces. This procedure is designed not only to make the confined space safe for the worker but also to make the worker knowledgeable of the hazards associated with this

SCOPE AND DEFINITION

Confined spaces are work areas where entry and exit are limited by location, design, or construction, and where dangerous equipment, operations, or atmospheres may pose hazards to health and safety. Refers to a work area that meets the following characteristics:

Is not intended for continuous worker occupancy, except to perform work.

Limited or restricted entry and exit.

May contain or produce critical:

Dangerous accumulations of hazardous gases

Vapors

Mists

Lack of enrichment of oxygen,

Biological agents.

And with unfavorable natural ventilation.

From which immediate escape in an emergency is restricted or difficult.

Examples of possible confined space entries:

Storage Tanks

Installations above or below ground-Rail cars

Underground utility vaults

Tunnel and pipelines

Small rooms

Service tunnels

Sewage handling systems

Silos, grain Bins, Hoppers

Machinery and equipment

To determine whether or not a workspace is a confined space, consider whether all or any of the conditions outlined in the definition apply. If only one condition is applicable, the space could still be considered confined; the hazard level would be more significant if more than one condition applies. Checklist of Considerations for Entry, working in and exiting confined Spaces Confined space mainly involves the following types of hazards but is not necessarily limited to:

Physical Hazards

Not intended for continuous occupancy (crawlspace)        

Poor entry or exit (less than I meter in depth, access less than (2' X 2')

Cramped work conditions (less than a meter of headroom)

Temperature extremes (over +40 C, less than -34 C)

Working near moving conveyors etc.

Reactive or corrosive residues

Electrical hazards

Uncontrolled movement of liquids or solids

Dismantling or assembly of equipment

Visibility

Atmospheric Hazards

Explosive

Oxygen-enriched or oxygen-deficient

Toxic

Smoke

Fumes, dust, mists, fogs

Biological agents

Asphyxiation

Work to be performed

Hot work/cold work which could produce an atmospheric hazard

Human Factors

Phobias

Mental and physical conditions of workers

PROCEDURE

Start by doing a hazard/risk assessment of where you intend to work, and prepare a Hazard Analysis as outlined in the safety program. This refers to the identification of all possible potential hazards that may be found in a confined space. The risk assessment must be performed before any workers enter the confined space:

Does it meet any of the hazards listed herein?

If so, it's confined entry.

Don't enter without the proper precautions.

You have established the physical hazards but can you determine the second part- atmospheric hazards-the part you can't see?

Atmospherics can only be determined by electronic gas detection equipment.

Legislation requires that you must test the atmosphere for the following:

Oxygen deficiency

Toxic fumes/mixtures

Explosive atmospheres

If your assessment and testing indicate a hazardous condition: DO NOT ENTER At this point you have two choices:

Remove the hazard Protect against the hazard

Removing the Hazard:

Flushing with water.

Ventilating with forced air

These are the simple, general, and easiest methods of overcoming confined entry hazards. This is of course subject to other requirements.

You must also consider:

Can you honestly say that you are providing enough fresh air for safe, healthy work?

If you can't satisfy the criteria for removing any atmospheric hazards your choice must be to:

PROTECT AGAINST THE HAZARD

Protecting against the hazard involves more effort, equipment, and training. The essential difference is the use of a supplied air-breathing apparatus.

Using appropriate detection equipment, test the confined space for hazardous fumes or oxygen deficiency. If the level of any hazard is not within the accepted limits, work shall cease immediately, and the workers shall vacate the confined space. The attendant has the authority to stop work if he/she feels that the safety of the crew is in jeopardy.        

Immediately after everyone has vacated the confined space he shall properly barricade the entry so that others may not inadvertently enter the space.

When tests indicate safe air quality, enter the work area.

Everyone working in the confined space area must be properly trained in safe entry and rescue procedures.

They must have full and vast knowledge and understanding of their equipment, tools, and or machinery and the potential hazards that exist

There must be a pre-entry meeting with all parties involved discussing the following: which must be documented and a copy provided to head office.

Known Hazards

Rescue plan

Communication Signals

Emergency Alarm

Designate one "competent “member of the operation to be the "Crew Chief '.This is not to be taken as a designation as rank; it is a designation of the role to be performed with the "in team".

Where possible, ventilate even after atmospheric hazards have been corrected. Monitor the air as long as personnel continue working there Isolate the confined space from all processes and power sources.

Ducts leading to/from ventilation systems shall be sealed; power sources shall be locked/tagged out following Westwood Mechanical policy.

Barricade or rope off the area.

Where ventilation has corrected atmospheric hazards but callouts be continuously provided, workers entering the space must wear rescue harnesses attached to individual Lifelines.

Attendees must be posted at the entrance prepared and equipped to provide rescue in case of emergency. In some situations, workers entering the confined space must also wear supplied -air respirators

The attendee posted at the entrance must record the time each worker enters the confined space. During the time the workers are in the confined space the watch must communicate with all workers regularly to be satisfied everyone is ok. He shall Record all the communications in the log. It should be agreed upon before entering the confined space the maximum length of time each worker may stay in the space before exiting. Use a communication system to advise the worker to exit the space, the watch mustn't leave his post without another watch being present. Where possible, the attendant shall maintain visual contact with the "in team”. The confined space appointed attendant shall keep voice contact with the "in team “at frequent intervals (i.e. every 5 minutes). This contact schedule shall be documented. The potential hazard level shall determine the frequency of contact.

A confined space work area shall be completed and made available to workers entering the space, the form shall provide information on the space to be:

Identified

Potential hazards note

Required precautions stated

A copy shall be filed at the job site and also.to head office filing.

The attendant shall ensure that only "Authorized Personnel”. Are permitted near the confined space operation.

The attendant shall ensure that no. hazard is developed near the confined space operation.

If the attendant cannot enforce the preceding two items he shall immediately order the "in team" to stop work and evacuate the confined space.

The attendant's primary objective is to ensure the safety of the "in-team" attendant. Shall not be assigned any duties, which negatively impact his/her attendant obligations. The attendant shall not leave his/her post unless an approved substitute attendant assumes the operation and the "in team" are advised of the change. This change shall be noted in the confined space work area form. (This also includes leaving to relieve oneself or any other reason.)

Upon completion of the confined space operation, the attendant shall ensure that all materials taken into the Space are also removed.

A confined space entry work permit shall be completed in the form enclosed herein. The purpose of the permit is to ensure that existing hazards of a confined space have been properly assessed and that necessary preventative and protective measures and procedures have been taken to ensure the health and safety of workers involved in confined entry work.

Work permits shall be dated and have an expiration date that will be valid for only one shift; each shift shall have the permit updated with the same requirements Copies shall be filed at the job site and also to head office files.

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS REQUIRED

Some of the equipment that may be required is as follows:

Gas detection equipment (Equipment service log books shall be maintained o each piece of equipment as per The Monitoring Equipment Log herein)

Retrieval device (man winch)

Breathing apparatus-either S.C.B.A. or remote bottled air with the airline

Full body harness

Personal Protective Equipment

The communication system (to summon help)

Training of employees

First aid and CPR training

Emergency response plan

Written safety work procedure

Ventilation system

Approved heaters

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Training

All workers entering and involved with any confined space entry must receive proper training before entry, the training shall cover the following: a minimum:

Fundamentals of hazard/risk assessment

Lockout/blanking off procedures

Monitoring equipment and use

Use of applicable respiratory equipment

Safety equipment use

Emergency entry-exit (rescue) procedures

Communications

First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (PR)

Westwood Mechanical work procedures for confined space entry.

Fire protection

Rescue and training drills

Permit system.

Rescue

In the event of an emergency, the attendant shall sound the alarm to summon the "rescue response team", usually the local fire department.             

Only qualified rescue personnel may enter a confined space in an emergency.

Rescuers must have the applicable equipment described for the class of confined space.

Confined space (CS) is considered to be Immediately Dangerous to human Life and Health unless demonstrated otherwise. Emergency rescue procedures must be planned and in place for confined space entry. The standby worker (attendant) must be equipped to immediately effect a rescue He can only enter the confined space if the lifting of the workers with the safety harness and lifeline is impossible.

Communications must be available at the work site to emergency response organizations (Fire Department, Ambulance)

One member of the emergency rescue team shall function as the rescue coordinator.

The rescue coordinator shall ensure that the appropriate rescue equipment is near the confined space operation, and is ready for us.        

The rescue coordinator shall communicate to all rescue members, and their respective supervisors, the existence, nature, and location of any confined space operation to be undertaken.

Following a rescue operation, the rescue coordinator shall review their Response internally and with the safety coordinator to evaluate the program's effectiveness and identify potential areas for improvement.

SUMMARY

Identify the spaces and the hazards.

Define the nature of the work to be performed-hot work or cold work.

Use qualified testers to conduct initial and periodic atmospheric testing.

Conduct visual inspection of all spaces for hazards- atmospheric as well as physical or mechanical.

Establish safe work practices for entry work and other work (SUCH AS HOT WORK, LOCKOUT/TAGOUT).

Train all workers involved in confined space activities (entrants, attendants, entry supervisor, and qualified tester) on recognition, evaluation, and control.  

Develop emergency procedures and provide the necessary equipment.

 

ATTACHMENTS

Risk Assessment

Confined space Permit to Work

Confined Space Work Areas

Monitoring Equipment Log

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