Confined Space Entry

Training Course

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1. Course aim
2. Confined space
3. Confined space hazards
1. Poor access and egress
2. Lack of oxygen
3. Excess of oxygen
4. Build up of toxic gases/ vapors
5. Fire and explosions
6. Source of ignition
7. Liquids, gases and solids
8. Stored energy
9. Activities / operations
4. Organize the work
5. Personnel responsible
6. Necessary documents
7. Entry survey
8. Breaks and the end of work
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 The aim of this training course is to provide

information regarding hazards associated to
confined spaces.

 Precautions that have to be taken before starting

and during performing any activity in confined
spaces.

 Guidelines for emergency management when

works are carried out in confined spaces, in order
to prevent the occurrence of any incident or
accident.

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What is a Confined Space?

Any area that:

 has limited access or egress
 is not designed for continuous
occupancy
 allowing accidental
accumulation of flammable or
toxic gases or vapours
 or where an oxygen deficiency
or enrichment could occur

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Confined Space Examples

 Storage Tanks  Vats

 Silos  Combustion chambers

 Reaction vessels  Ductwork

 Enclosed Drains  Poorly ventilated rooms

 Excavations  Sewers

 Underground chamber  Boilers/combustion chambers

 Roof of Storage Tank  Vehicle bodies

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Oxygen deficiency Equipment or Machinery Toxic gases

Static Electricity Fire or Explosions Toxic substances

Oxygen enrichment Noise

Heat

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 Unexpected Liquids and Powders which entry the space.

 Equipment/machinery used for work in confined space.
 Deficient / Enriched of Oxygen.
 Toxic gases can be released.
 Residues remaining in the space.
 Flammable gases and liquids.

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 Manholes in tanks, vessels,

reactors
 Manholes in sewers & drains
 Entry into ducts and pipes
 Entry into boilers, furnaces and
combustion chambers
 Entry into void spaces
 Doors with reduced dimensions

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 Acceptable oxygen levels is: between 19.5% – 22.5%

 When oxygen is displaced by other gases/vapours:
 Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Methane

 Oxygen can be used up by:

 Chemical reactions i.e. rusting, burning
 Other substances i.e. activated carbon

 The only effective respiratory protection is breathing

apparatus

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 Excess oxygen is a Fire & Explosive

hazard
 Materials, such as clothing, burn
furiously when enriched with
oxygen
 Oxygen should never be introduced
into a confined space
 Welding/cutting equipment must not
leak

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 From residues left in tanks/ vessels
 These can emit gases/ vapours when
disturbed
 From operations such as painting
 In sewers and manholes
 In excavations from contaminated land
 Slow leak into trenches and pits

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 Can occur when flammable vapours, gases and solids are present
 Hazard still exists when tank is “empty”
 May need an ignition source or may be self combustible (pyrophoric scale)
 Purging with an inert gas will drive out flammable gases
 Cleaning materials may be a cause

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 Spark from
 electrical equipment
 tools
 welding / grinding
 contact between objects

 Static Electricity
 caused by two different
materials rubbed
together

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 Liquids from connected vessels or pipe-work, incorrect isolation standard
 Gases/ vapours from connected vessels or pipe-work
 Powder/ pellet materials into silos
 Storm/ flood water into drains or chambers

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Rotating or moving equipment which starts unintentionally
 Agitators/paddles in reaction vessels
 Screw conveyors
 Presses etc. during maintenance
 Robot assembly equipment
 All of above may need to complete full movement before rest

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 Welding and cutting
 Grinding, drilling, hammering
 Grit blasting / painting
 Water jet cleaning
 Any of these could mean a normally accessible area becomes a confined space

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Entry means:
When any part of the persons body penetrate the confined space.
 Identify if a confined space situation exists.
 Excavations deeper that 1.5m are also regarded as confined spaces.
 Identify whether the work can be done without entering the enclosure:
 inspection by remote camera
 cleaning by semi-automatic equipment
 If a confined space exists and remote operation is not practicable then the entry
procedure should begin.

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Identify as many potential Intolerable
risk (region)
hazards as possible and
implement protective

Increasing risk
Extent of
measures in order to ALARP Tolerable risk
assessment As low as
reasonably
eliminate or reduce the risk practicable

at a level As Low As
Reasonably Practicable Broadly
acceptable
risk (region)
(ALARP).

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Carry out a risk assessment
 Detail the physical layout of the space
 Identify all the hazards:
 both - inside and outside the space;
(Conflicting tasks?)
 Identify any substances that were known
to be in the space, (Under normal
operating processes)
 Identify (by Sampling / analysis) any
substances that you are not sure about

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Create a safe system of entry:
 Trained personnel and in good health
 Tested and maintained equipment
 Gas testing before & continuous throughout entry
 Isolation of all pipes/equipment: (Positive Isolation)
 use Lock Out - Tag Out system (spades, blinds,
valves closed or opened, isolation of electricity)
 Suitable access and egress
 Ventilation:
 use air ejector/blowers and ensure the supply lines are
secured
 ensure that level of oxygen is between 19.5 % -22.5%

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Create a safe system of entry (cont.)
Suitable lighting:
 where possible use 25V a.c. powered lamps,

explosive proof type,(Intrinsically safe) with

electrical cable in good insulation condition,
suspended at 2m height from walking level
 or, use 24V d.c battery powered torches,

explosive proof type;

 Ensure that Rescue plan exists & is in place.

 And record all entrants.

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Create a safe system of entry (cont.)
 Equipment for:
 raising the alarm in emergency
 rescue (tripod, rope, safety harness, SCBA)
 first aid
 fire fighting
 Personal Protective Equipment (Compatible)
 which must be suitable for the job and the person (coverall fire retardant,
helmet, safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes, safety harness, personal gas
monitor, escape hood, etc.)

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GASCO Shift Controller
 Will need to be experienced in confined space works
 Identifies if a confined space situation exist
 Identifies if safe condition of work are suitable before
starting job Confined Space Entry
Certificate - Dark green
 isolation of energy sources / equipment, and other
color border
hazards
 atmosphere tested before entry
 warning signs placed at all entrances of space
 rescue plan and equipment available
 competent stand-by man
 means of communication
 documents available

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GASCO Shift Controller (cont.)
 Makes the team aware of their duties,
 Supervises the works from outside the space,
never enter the confined space themself
 Should be aware of other adjacent work which
may introduce hazards

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 Contractor Site Engineer & HSE Officer
Responsible for implementation and verification of safe conditions at work
site and:
 Ensure that air ejector, blower and exhaust fan are in good condition,
 Ensure that fans, air blowers are grounded
 Power tools are checked prior to their use
 All power tools meet industrial standards and are inspected
 Ensure all relevant PPE’s are in place (Lifelines, Safety harness, helmet, escape masks,
personal detectors and air supply respirators
 Ensure that air supplies, respirators, air mask SCBA are in good condition/ well
maintained and inspected according to manufacturer’s specifications

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Standby Man (Attendant)
 Must be trained in standby duties in addition to confined space entry
 Must remain outside the confined space:
no “head and shoulder” entry
 Must remain vigilant at all times
 Must have a means of raising the alarm in an emergency
 Maintain an accurate headcount of entrants (entry log)
 Communicate with entrants
 Monitor activities outside of confined space
 Prevent unauthorized entry into working area
 Participate to non-entry rescue

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Confined Space Workers
 Must be experienced and trained in confined space entry works
 May need to be trained in rescue procedures
 Must be physically and mentally suitable to work in confined spaces
 Must be able to recognise changes in work conditions and communicate to
attendant
 Understand the use of necessary equipment within confined space
 Medical examination is necessary if SCBA must be worn

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Before entry the following documents should be
available:
 Work Method Statement (work plan)

 Risk Assessment

 Material Safety Data Sheets for any hazardous

substances involved

 Work Permit and/or additional work permits

 Confined Space Entry Certificate

 Isolation Confirmation Certificate

 Gas Test Certificate

 Rescue Plan
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 Engine driven equipment, electrical transformers and
compressed gas cylinders are not allowed in confined
spaces.

 Oxygen and Acetylene houses must be inspected prior

starting the job and replaced if necessary.

 Confined space must be evacuated in case of alarm in

plant, or in case that working conditions are changing and
in case of a accident.

 Activity can be resumed in confined spaces only after

return to normal working conditions is achived.

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 When the workers take a break all equipment should be made
safe.
 Welding/cutting equipment with oxygen should be removed
and isolated.
 Frequency of gas testing will be decided by risk assessment.
 When the work is complete all personnel should be signed out
and the Work permit signed off and handed back to PCF
 To the end of job, all tools and equipment must be removed
and work site handed over clean and ready for production

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Thank you!

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