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1.0 CONFINED SPACE WORK

1.1 The following environment, health and safety legislations are applicable to work
involving entry into confined space:
1.1.1 Workplace Safety & Health (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009
1.1.2 Singapore Standard Code of Practice CP 84 (2000) : Entry into and safe
working in confined spaces
1.1.3 WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007

1.2 Administration
1.2.1 The employer or principal of the workplace shall determine a responsible person
who shall be overall in charge of the confined space work.
1.2.2 The responsible person shall appoint an “authorised manager” to manage the
confined space work.
1.2.3 The authorised manager shall (where it is determined as safe to) approve the
permit to work for entry into confined space.
1.2.4 Authorised manager maintain record of the location and description of the
confined spaces within the factory or work areas.
1.2.5 Continuous monitoring of the atmosphere
1.2.6 Name and identification badge of person entering the confined space
1.2.7 Appointment of confined space attendant (who had attended and passed a
Safety Orientation Course or SOC (Manhole) for Workers)
1.2.8 Establishment of a written rescue plan for the confined space.
1.2.9 Rescue equipment (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus eg Compressed
Air Respiratory Protection Equipment) located on site shall undergo

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maintenance and tests as described in Appendix 2 by rescue equipment

manufacturer approved service center.
1.3 Confined space means any enclosed space where there is possible presence of
dangerous gas, lack of oxygen and also risk of engulfment by material.
1.3.1 Confined space shall include chamber, , tank, manhole, silo, closed drain, pit,
pipe, flue, sewer pipes, etc.

1.3.2 The atmosphere within a confined space may contain harmful gases or
combustible gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H²S), carbon monoxide (CO),
methane (CH4), etc. as well as lack of oxygen (O²). These gases can be
detected by using gas detector. Once harmful or explosive gases are detected
by appropriate tests, they must be removed by proper means such as by
providing forced ventilation.

1.4 In any case, the atmosphere within the confined space must be checked for
oxygen deficiency using the oxygen gas detector. Where deficiency in oxygen is
established, no one shall be allowed to enter the confined space. In case that
person(s) have to enter the confined space, air-line or self-contained air
breathing apparatus must be worn. Generally, where persons are to enter the
confined space, the area shall be well ventilated with fresh air.
1.4.1 Personal Monitoring- At least one worker in the confined space shall put
on a suitable continuous gas monitoring device. The monitoring device
will have continuous read-out and audible/visible alarm warnings for
dangerous gas concentrations.
1.4.2 Area Monitoring – Where there is no presence of harmful gases, the
confined space shall be checked for oxygen deficiency every 4 hours.

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Where there is possibility of harmful gases, 2-hourly gas check shall be

conducted.
1.5 No hot-works shall be allowed in the confined space unless approved by JEL
Project or Site / Shop Manager.
1.6 At all times, no smoking shall be permitted during man-entry into the confined
space.
1.7 Warning signs shall be displayed at or near every access point to a confined
space to warn persons of the existence of the confined. Suitable warning signs
can be displayed, as shown in Appendix 1.
1.8 Man-entry into confined space shall not be permitted without prior issuance of
valid permit to work (PTW) – also known as Confined Space Entry Permit,
approved by the JEL Project or Site / Shop Manager. The confined space shall
be certified fit for man-entry by the qualified Confined Space Safety Assessor
(CSSA) or Manhole Safety Assessor (for manhole only).

1.9 PTW is valid for the day only and shall be renewed daily via application. If
confined space work to be carried out within Client's or main-contractor (other than
JEL) premises, the applicant shall abide with all safety rules pertaining to the PTW
application and their safe work procedures system.

1.10 The following shall apply under WSH (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009:

1.11 The confined space attendant shall standby outside the confined space for
communication in case of emergency situation or any assistance needed. Help
shall be at hand if any worker gets into difficulty while working within a confined
space.

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1.12 Where applicable, workers working in confined space shall attach with a safety
life-line, which is securely anchored to the person's body safety belt or harness.
The life-line(s) shall be placed outside the confined space in case of rescue
operation arises.

1.13 The following are the pre – requisites prior and throughout entering in a confined
space for the purpose of work or inspection.

a) The competent person must test the confined space for oxygen content
and the presence of flammable and toxic gases for certification of entry
at every not less than 8 hourly or earlier determined by the competent
person. This can be achieved by using a multi gas detection meter. A
trained person shall be appointed as the competent person in the
supervision and gas meter reading throughout the whole operation.

b) Workers working in confined space must have gone through approved

course, Safety Orientation Course or SOC (Manhole) for Workers, while
direct Supervisor in-charge of work shall possess SIC or Safety
Instruction Course (Manhole) for Supervisors, approved by Ministry of
Manpower.

c) At normal atmosphere, the oxygen content shall be within the range of

20.8% to 21%. Acceptable limit of oxygen level in the confined space
for person to enter is from 19.5% to 23.5%.

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d) If the oxygen content is lower than 19.5% and /or flammable/toxic gas
content is higher than 10% of its lower explosive limit, then the confined
space is not fit for man-entry. The confined space shall be provided with
forced fresh air force ventilation. Readings on the multi gas meter shall
indicate acceptable limits before the confined space can be certified fit
for man-entry. The levels of toxic substances in the atmosphere must
not exceed permissible exposure levels as specified in the First
Schedule to WSH (General Provisions) Regulations.

e) Permit-to-work must be obtained prior to entering a confined space.

f) Forced ventilation in the form of an air blower must be provided for the
confined space throughout the occupancy of the confined space.

g) All portable hand-held electrical equipment and tools used in confined

spaces shall be operated at a voltage not exceeding alternating current
(AC) 55 volts between the conductor and earth or direct current (DC)
110 volts.

h) Adequate lighting of at least 50 lux shall be provided in the confined

space. The voltage supply of the electrical lighting shall not exceed
110V.

i) Temporary electrical installations supplying electricity to any portable

electrical equipment shall be protected by effective earth leakage circuit
breakers (ELCB) or Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) with a
tripping current not exceeding 30mA.

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j) Carry a portable battery operated torch light for additional lighting and
evacuation purpose in the event of power failure affecting the lighting in
the confined space.

k) Temporary lighting used shall be of the explosive proof or intrinsically

safe type when working in confined space storing or previously stored
highly flammable substances or chemicals.

l) Confined space shall be monitored regularly for adequacy of oxygen

and presence of flammable and toxic gases content. In the event of
changes in condition, evacuate the confined space immediately. All
personnel in the confined space shall follow safety instructions by the
competent person monitoring the atmosphere gas content in the
confined space.
m) In the event of smelling anything foul or experiencing difficulty in
breathing, leave the confined space immediately and report to
immediate supervisor for investigation.

n) If carrying out hot work in confined space, all hot work tools such as gas
hoses, gas torches, welding cables to be removed from the confined
space during breaks and at the end of the work day and the gas supply
must be shut-off.

o) If notice any personnel unconscious in confined space, do not enter the

confined space to investigate. Instead, raise the alarm by notifying
immediate supervisor.

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p) Rescue operation shall be attempted with the aid of self contained or

air-line breathing apparatus. Only trained personnel are allowed to
conduct rescue operation otherwise immediate notification to local
authorities eg Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shall be
summoned for assistance.

q) In construction projects where the client or owner has its own

emergency rescue team, JEL site team shall adhere to client’s or
owner’s safe rescue procedure. If client’s or owner does not have
its own rescue team, then JEL site team shall form project site
rescue team.
r) Trained persons shall be appointed for carrying out rescue work in
confined space.
 Rescuers shall under-go training at approved rescue training
centers eg Spore Civil Defence Academy. Such training shall be
reflected in the department’s EHS training record matrix.
 Rescuers have to be medically fit and may need medical
certification before attending such training course
 Content of such rescue training course will include:
o BA Set- Construction and procedures
o Search and rescue procedure in confined space
o BA wearers guideline and procedures
o Movement in darkness and obstacles
o BA confidence training
o Heat and humidity stress training

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Appendix 1

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The following messages should be shown as separate signs or a multi-purpose

sign as follows:

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APPENDIX 2
MAINTENANCE & TEST INTERVALS

Carry out regular inspection, testing and servicing of equipment in accordance with this table, typical of
Drager Compressed Air Respiratory Protection Equipment (PA90Plus Series with Integral Plus LDV)..
Record all data in this Equipment Log Book.
For other brand and model, always refer to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and test
intervals.

DESCRIPTION After Every Every Every

Use Month Year 6 Years
COMPLETE Clean and disinfect 
EQUIPMENT Visual inspection  
Functional and leak testing as  
defined in instructions for use
Flow and static tests per 
manufacturer’s instructions
DEMAND Clean and disinfect as necessary 
VALVE
PRESSURE Medium pressure check 
REDUCER Replace sintered filter 
Replace h.p. connector O-ring 
Basic overhaul 
(repair exchange scheme)
CYLINDER Charge to correct pressure 
Charged pressure check. Check test 
date stamped on cylinder
Re-certification- cylinder pressure
test (according to National
Standards)
CYLINDER Overhaul as necessary or at time of
VALVE cylinder re-certification

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