Confined Spaces

Work in confined spaces

 In the last ten years there have been 120
fatal accidents.
 They are often multiple fatalities
 All confined space entries are potentially
hazardous
What is a confined space?
 “confined spaces” means any place,
including any chamber, tank, vat, silo,
pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or
other similar space in which, by virtue
of its enclosed nature, there arises a
reasonably foreseeable specified risk.
 So what are the specified risks?
 Specified Risks
 Fire or explosion
 Loss of consciousness from increase in
body temperature
 Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation
from gas, fume, vapour, or lack of oxygen
 Drowning from an increase in level of
liquid
 Asphyxiation arising from free flowing
solid or entrapment by a free flowing
solid
 Reg 4 - Prevent the need
for entry
Employers to prevent entry SFAIRP this may include
 Test the atmosphere from outside using long
tools or probes
 Clean from outside using water jets, foam or
chemical cleaning, long handled tools, or in
place cleaning systems
 Blockages cleared in silos using remotely
operated flail devices, vibrators, or air purgers
 Use sight glasses, portholes, lighting or CCTV
to see inside the space
Reg 4 - Work in confined
spaces
Where the employer SFAIRP is
unable to avoid entry then the
person responsible must ensure a
Safe system of work (SSOW). This
may form the basis of a Permit to
Work system (PTW).
 Precautions in the safe system
of work

 Supervision and competency with adequate

communication
 Testing, purging and ventilation
 Removal of residues and isolation
 Selection of equipment and PPE
 Access and egress, fire prevention and lighting
 Ignition sources - smoking and static
 Emergencies and rescue, time, sharps and hygiene
 Permit to work and suitability
Regulation 5 - Emergency
arrangements
 Will depend on the nature of the
confined space
 Identified risks
 Accidents that may arise from a
“specified risk”
 Accidents that may occur e.g.
incapacitation following a fall.
Rescue and resuscitation
should include the
following……..
 Rescue and resuscitation equipment
 Raising the alarm and the rescue
 Safe guarding the rescuers
 Fire safety
 Control of plant
 First aid provision
 Public emergency services
 Training
 Plant and equipment
 Size and openings
 Other equipment
Rescue and Resuscitation -
Continued……...
 Maintenance equipment
 Test certificates
 Examination records
Training will need to
cover…...
 awareness of the Confined Spaces Regulations
 understanding of work to be undertaken
 hazards and necessary precautions
 SSOW / PTW in place
 how emergencies arise
 emergency plans
 consequences of not following procedures
 practical use of atmospheric monitoring
equipment, PPE, RPE, and communications
systems
Thank you!