EHS-G-22 Guidelines On Confined Spaces - Procedure v.3

QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH & SAFETY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES
Section: Environmental, Health and Safety EHS-G-22
Revision Code: 3 Page 1 of 6

Subject: General Guidelines for Working in a Confined Space
Effectivity: 13 March 2017
Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:
CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao
 Summary of Content
A. Rationale
B. Objectives
C. Areas of Application
D. User of Guidelines
E. Guidelines for Confined Space Safety
E.1 Definition of Confined Space
E.2 General Safety Guidelines
E.3 Confined Space Hazard
E.4 Maintenance of equipment to ensure the safety entry into a permit space, which involves
E.5 Minimum Environmental Condition when working in a confined space
E.6 Permit Required Type of Confined Space Entry
F. Types of Confined Space
G. Permit Flow Chart
H. Forms
H.1 Confined Space Permit
H.2 Job Hazard Analysis

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

I. References
A. Rationale
These guidelines are to be fully implemented in all areas consistent with the activities in the area.
Designated personnel responsible for implementation or the Head shall review these guidelines and
establish implementation measures. These measures shall achieve continuing awareness of personnel on
the guidelines such as thorough orientation, training, regular meetings and use of signage and instructive
posters and ensure enforcement through regular inspection and implementation of correction and
corrective action.
B. Objectives
1. To define and identify confined space and Its hazards

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

2. To provide safe work procedure for working in confined space
C. Areas of Application
These guidelines cover all the Ayala Property Management Corporation (“APMC”) vendors that
provide confined space work services to APMC, such as but not limited to:
1. Preventive Maintenance of Cistern Tanks
2. Preventive Maintenance of Exhaust Ducts
3. Cleaning of sewer lines/ enclosed drains
4. Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms
D. User of this Guidelines
Confined Space Vendors/ Property Manager/ Building Engineer/Technical Supervisor/Technical

Assistant/ Contractual Supervisor/Maintenance Personnel/Contractors/Health & Safety Committee
E. Guidelines For Confined Space Safety

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

E.1 Definition of Confined Space
A Confined Space refers to a space which by design has

an enclosed or partially enclosed space which:
– is not intended or designed primarily as a place

of work or continuous employee occupancy
– has limited or restricted means of entry and exit

(for example, Tunnels, wells, manholes, cold
storage, ship holds, sub-cellars, tanks, vaults,
and open ditch are spaces that may have limited means of entry.)
– Have atmospheric contaminants or an unsafe oxygen level

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

E.2 General Safety Guidelines:
1. All Confined Space Vendors must have their safety work program and methodology submitted
(stamped received and/or approved) by Department of Labor & Employment, Bureau of
Working Condition (“DOLE-BWC”).
2. All Confined Space Vendors must submit their detailed Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for specific
type of Confined Space work.
3. All site project or services for confined space must have One (1) DOLE-BWC Certified OSH
Practitioner (specifically for confined space) to perform and/or act as “Safety Officer” on-site.
4. Workers in enclosed toxic or oxygen-deficient spaces (Reservoir/ Drainage/ Septic Tank/ Lift
Station/ Aircon or Exhaust Duct) shall be assisted by at least one additional worker stationed in
an area unaffected by any possible incident and provided with proper rescue equipment to
assist the others in case of emergency.
5. Communication (visual, voice, or signal line) shall be maintained among the individuals present.
6. Persons working in confined deep areas shall be equipped with safety harnesses and safety lines
for lifting or removing persons in cases of emergencies.
7. Before a worker or group of workers enter any aircon or exhaust duct, appropriate examination
and testing of the strength and rigidity of the work area should be conducted to avoid accidents
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

and collapsing of the structure.
8. Before a worker or group of workers enter any confined or enclosed space and before any work
is commenced, the air in the area shall be checked for explosive gases, fumes, and vapors. If any
of the above is present over normal levels, the area shall not be entered until ventilation by
blower is effected.
9. No smoking or open lights, torches, arcs or flames shall be permitted in confined spaces
underground until an inspection has been conducted to ensure that fire or explosion possibilities
have been eliminated.
10. No spraying or painting using volatile solvents of oil shall be undertaken in confined spaces
unless the necessary respiratory and other adequate protections are provided.
11. Ensure that adequate ventilation is available in the area. For spaces where this is considered
inadequate, approved types of breathing apparatus with enough oxygen content shall be
provided and made available for use by the worker/s.
12. Adequate means of ingress and egress for workers working in confined spaces shall be provided
to protect them in cases of collapse of the structure.
13. If inside the cistern tank/elevated tank the area shall be checked visually to ensure that the
water level is below 15 cm. (16 in) and if water is present, a dry wooden platform shall be
available for use;
14. Provide signage informing others that there are ongoing works in the confined and concealed
space.
15. As necessary, PPE will be worn to protect entrants from the hazards associated with the
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

confined space. PPE may include eye protection, hearing protection, hand protection, hard hats,
chemically treated protective garments, and respiratory protection, including self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) if necessary.
16. If the confined space has a height of more than 5 feet with an entry point overhead, each
entrant will be required to wear a body harness attached to a mechanical retrieval system, such
as a tripod.
17. If the confined space is less than 5 feet in height but has a potentially hazardous atmosphere,
each entrant will wear a body harness attached to a lifeline that will be monitored by the
attendant. This system will allow the attendant to perform a non-entry rescue, if necessary, by
pulling the entrant out by the lifeline.
18. No worker or group of workers shall enter a confined space unless a watcher is available who is
familiar with the job and in contact with the men at regular intervals and equally provided with
breathing apparatus for ready use in case of emergency.
19. Work and/or rescue equipment will be immediately available at all times.
20. Permit-required Confined Spaces - When a contractor determines that confined spaces exist, the
next step is to determine whether the confined space is a permit-required confined space.
 Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
 Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant
 Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by
inwardly converging walls or a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-
section
 Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard
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GUIDELINES

If permit-required confined spaces are present, contractors must mark each entry point with a sign reading
“DANGER—PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE. DO NOT ENTER.”
21. Confined Space Entry Permit (EHS-F-22.1) shall be accomplished prior to any work in confined
space.
E.3 Confined Space Hazards:
I. Atmospheric Hazards
 Oxygen Deficient
Atmosphere
 Flammable Atmosphere
 Toxic Atmosphere
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GUIDELINES

II. Physical Hazards
 Engulfment
 High Noise Level
 Extreme Temperatures
 Lack of lighting
 Slip. Trip or Fall
 Falling object from the top
E.4 Maintenance of equipment to ensure the safety entry into a permit space, which involves:
1. Gas-detection equipment to determine the level of concentration of Oxygen, Toxic Gases

and Flammable atmospheric condition
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

2. Ventilating equipment
3. Communication equipment if necessary
4. PPE to be used when engineering controls such as ventilation equipment is not practical
5. Lighting
6. Barricades to prevent unauthorized entry
7. Equipment, such as ladders, to provide for safe access to and egress from the permit space
8. Rescue and emergency equipment, unless this service is provided
9. Any other equipment that would be used for safe permit space entry
E.5 Minimum Environmental Condition when working in a confined space
1. Oxygen Level: 19.5 percent – 23.5 percent
2. Flammability: below 10 percent of the lower flammable limit (LFL) for gases, vapors, mists or
combustible dust
3. Toxic gases: below the permissible exposure limit (PEL)/threshold limit value (TLV) or time-
weighted average (TWA) of a substance
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GUIDELINES

F. Permit Required Type of Confined Space Entry, include but are not limited to the following :
1. Tanks
2. Manhole
3. Exhaust Duct entry
4. Sewer Lines/ Culvert
5. Wells
6. Tunnels
7. Vaults
8. Cold Storage
9. Ship Holds
10. Silos
11. Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

G. Confined Space Flow Chart
Confined Space Permit
Job Hazard Analysis
Review of JHA &

Methodology No
Ok
Approved
H. Confined Space Permits
H.1 Confined Space Permit (EHS-F-22.1)

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
GUIDELINES

H.2 Job Hazard Analysis
H.3 Safety work program and methodology with stamp and approval of DOLE-BWC
H.4 DOLE – BWC certification for OSH Practitioner
H.5 type and calibration markings of device to measure oxygen level
I. References:
 Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) – Local Code
Rule 1121 Underground Tank and Similar Confined Space Work
 Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) – International Code
Rule 1910 Permit-required confined space

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QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH & SAFETY

Revision Code: 3 Page 1 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

E. Guidelines for Confined Space Safety

E.1 Definition of Confined Space

E.2 General Safety Guidelines

E.3 Confined Space Hazard

E.5 Minimum Environmental Condition when working in a confined space

E.6 Permit Required Type of Confined Space Entry

F. Types of Confined Space

G. Permit Flow Chart

H.1 Confined Space Permit

H.2 Job Hazard Analysis

Revision Code: 3 Page 2 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

1. To define and identify confined space and Its hazards

Revision Code: 3 Page 3 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

2. To provide safe work procedure for working in confined space

1. Preventive Maintenance of Cistern Tanks

2. Preventive Maintenance of Exhaust Ducts

3. Cleaning of sewer lines/ enclosed drains

4. Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms

D. User of this Guidelines

Confined Space Vendors/ Property Manager/ Building Engineer/Technical Supervisor/Technical

E. Guidelines For Confined Space Safety

Revision Code: 3 Page 4 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

E.1 Definition of Confined Space

A Confined Space refers to a space which by design has

– is not intended or designed primarily as a place

– has limited or restricted means of entry and exit

– Have atmospheric contaminants or an unsafe oxygen level

Revision Code: 3 Page 5 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

E.2 General Safety Guidelines:

Revision Code: 3 Page 6 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

and collapsing of the structure.

Revision Code: 3 Page 7 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

Revision Code: 3 Page 8 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

E.3 Confined Space Hazards:

Revision Code: 3 Page 9 of 6

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By:

CDCamarines/ MGPadilla JCJudilla MFMagpusao

II. Physical Hazards

 High Noise Level