Learning Objectives:: To Begin We Will Consider The OAC Model For Managing Safety

Safe Working Procedure – Confined Spaces
Learning Objectives:

By the end of this program participants will be able to
demonstrate their understanding of the control
measures to be followed , as detailed in the safe
working procedure, when working in or near to confined
spaces.
To begin we will consider the OAC model for managing safety

Safe Working Procedure - Confined Spaces
Operational Analysis and Control (OAC)

Model
What can cause harm?
Analyse the Operation What are you doing about it?
Is it enough?
What has to be done?

Manage the Operation What resources do you need?
When does the operation need reviewed?
Has the operation progressed as planned?

Effectiveness Review Detail the changes needed?
List the improvement actions?
Set your work objectives to include;
“...tasks/ activities are to be completed on time and in a manner that

does not cause harm to the employees, customers, other non-
employees, or the company/ organisation.”
Three key questions to start with are…
• What can cause harm?

• What are you doing about it?
• Is it enough?
Remember the process is simple but it is NOT to be considered simplistic.

The OAC e-learning package can be accessed free at

www.confinedspaces.com;

Click here to open the "Work Safety - Manage Safely" e-learning
program.
(Work Safety - Manage Safely)

also
A 5 Minute Safety Seminar (PowerPoint) is available from

www.web-safety.com;

Click here to link to Safety Exchange - Then open the 5 minute
Safety Seminar.
Know where the harm is;

Identify the key hazards associated with working or near to
confined spaces.
Source of Hazards Outcomes of exposure

(non-exhaustive list) (non-exhaustive list)

• Fire or explosion • Burns
• Toxic or flammable gas, fume or vapour • Asphyxiation
• Lack of oxygen • Loss of consciousness
• Free flowing liquid • Drowning
• Free flowing solids • Suffocation
• High ambient temperature • Heat stress/ exhaustion
• Biological agents • Physical injury
• Illness
Controlling the Hazard - Options
In priority order;
1. Eliminate where possible,
2. Use control measures,
3. Protect all those exposed to the hazard
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Control
• Entry to confined spaces is to be avoided if possible.

• When entry is necessary, pre-entry checks are to be
carried out to determine the condition of the confined
space and the necessary measures to ensure safety of
the entry workers.
• Issue a permit to work for confined spaces where;
• there is a national statutory requirement or,
• when the hazards are likely to be present.
Communication
A suitable means of communication between the site
and an external point of contact is to be established,
tested and working before entry commences.
The number of workers entering the confined space is

to be appropriate to the task.
During each confined space entry an attendant is to

remain outside the confined space at all times in
contact with the worker(s) inside and the business
activity manager.
Controlling the Hazard
Confined Space Entry Workers
All authorised confined space workers are to be;
• Deemed medically and physically fit to enter confined

spaces and to use RPE before being authorised.
• Trained and assessed as competent in confined space
entry (training is to include hazard awareness and
practical use of RPE).
• Trained and drilled regularly in the company emergency
procedures.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in a confined space is to be
• Tested from the outside and found to be normal before

each entry.
• Monitored continually throughout the period of entry.
If the atmosphere test detects an IDLH

environment, entry is prohibited until a permit
to work is issued, or alternative arrangements
have been made.
Monitoring
• Electronic monitoring equipment is to be capable of
detecting;
 Oxygen levels,
 Toxic gases, and
 Flammable and explosive atmospheres
• Alarms on the atmosphere monitor are to be capable of
activating below the harmful atmosphere levels, on
battery failure or on any other fault.
• Monitors are to be calibrated and tested regularly by a
competent person.
Ventilation
All available confined spaces access points are to
• Be opened to permit air circulation.
• Remain open and guarded throughout the period entry.

• Sufficient mechanical means are to be provided when
natural ventilation is ineffective.
Purging
• Communicate the work method and appropriate risk
controls to all relevant workers when purging is deemed
necessary.
• The confined space is to be ventilated by natural or
mechanical means and the atmosphere re-tested after
purging and before entry commences.
• The atmosphere in the confined space is to be tested and
purged or ventilated after cleaning, as necessary.
Care is to be taken if residues are to be removed since

trapped gases, fumes etc may be released giving rise to an
IDLH atmosphere. (Note: similar care is to be taken if
residues are found after entry to the confined space).
Isolating the Confined Space
• The confined space is to be isolated from any pipework or

power supplies before entry commences.
• Isolations are to be carried out under a permit to work.


Equipment
• Respiratory protection equipment (RPE), personal
protection equipment (PPE) and other associated safety
equipment are to be identified and recorded in the risk
assessments.
• Authorised confined space workers are to be trained and
assessed as competent in the use of all the safety
equipment.
• All equipment is to be inspected, tested and maintained.
Where potentially flammable or explosive atmospheres exist
• All safety equipment and lighting is to be intrinsically

safe, earthed and bonded as necessary to prevent the
build up of static.
• All other tools for use in potentially flammable or
explosive atmospheres are to be non-sparking
Look for the marking to indicate that the equipment has

been tested as being intrinsically safe (explosion proof).
Access and Egress

• All employees entering a confined space are to be logged
in and out.
• Confirm that all workers have exited the confined space
before the openings are closed and the site vacated.
• Suitable lifting equipment is to be used to facilitate entry

and exit when entry is via a vertical shaft.
• Determine whether workers are to remain attached to
the lifting equipment.
Fire Safety
• Flammable or combustible materials are not to be stored
in a confined space.
• All potentially flammable waste material from the work
activity is to be removed from the confined space and
disposed of in a safe manner.
• Gas appliances and internal combustion engines are not
permitted in confined spaces.
• Smoking in or near confined spaces is not permitted.
• Appropriate fire fighting equipment is to be available at
confined spaces when it is deemed necessary.

Emergencies and Rescue

When the atmosphere monitor alarms
• Cease work immediately, don escape-breathing
apparatus, exit the confined space and raise the alarm,
• Invoke the appropriate emergency response.
Dealing with casualties

• Contact the emergency rescue services first if there are
any casualties.
• The attendant must not enter the confined space.
• Emergency first aid is only to be given where risks to the
workforce will not be increased.
Emergencies and Rescue

Rescue co-ordination
• Co-ordinate the rescue arrangements with the statutory
emergency services,
• Inform the emergency services of all potentially
hazardous confined spaces, and
• Alert all necessary personnel.
Contractor's Employees
• Contractor's employees are required to follow company

procedures or equivalent (equal or better) confined
spaces safe working arrangements.
Duty Holders Responsible for…
Managing Director Ensuring compliance.
Safety Managers Providing professional safety advice.
Business Activity Managers Complying with the requirements.
Employees Co-operating with the requirements.

Documentation
• Inspections Log
Pre-entry checklists.
• Permit to work forms.
• Competence certificates.
• Medical/fitness Certifications .

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Safe Working Procedure – Confined Spaces

To begin we will consider the OAC model for managing safety

Operational Analysis and Control (OAC)

What has to be done?

Has the operation progressed as planned?

Set your work objectives to include;

“...tasks/ activities are to be completed on time and in a manner that

Three key questions to start with are…

• What can cause harm?

Remember the process is simple but it is NOT to be considered simplistic.

The OAC e-learning package can be accessed free at

A 5 Minute Safety Seminar (PowerPoint) is available from

Know where the harm is;

Source of Hazards Outcomes of exposure

Controlling the Hazard - Options

1. Eliminate where possible,

2. Use control measures,

3. Protect all those exposed to the hazard

• Entry to confined spaces is to be avoided if possible.

The number of workers entering the confined space is

During each confined space entry an attendant is to

Controlling the Hazard

Confined Space Entry Workers

All authorised confined space workers are to be;

• Deemed medically and physically fit to enter confined

Controlling the Hazard

The atmosphere in a confined space is to be

• Tested from the outside and found to be normal before

If the atmosphere test detects an IDLH

Controlling the Hazard

Controlling the Hazard

All available confined spaces access points are to

• Be opened to permit air circulation.

• Remain open and guarded throughout the period entry.

Controlling the Hazard

Care is to be taken if residues are to be removed since

Controlling the Hazard

Isolating the Confined Space

• The confined space is to be isolated from any pipework or

• Isolations are to be carried out under a permit to work.

Controlling the Hazard

Controlling the Hazard

Where potentially flammable or explosive atmospheres exist

• All safety equipment and lighting is to be intrinsically

Look for the marking to indicate that the equipment has

Controlling the Hazard

Access and Egress

• Suitable lifting equipment is to be used to facilitate entry

Controlling the Hazard

Controlling the Hazard

Dealing with casualties

Controlling the Hazard

Emergencies and Rescue

Controlling the Hazard

• Contractor's employees are required to follow company

Duty Holders Responsible for…

Managing Director Ensuring compliance.

Safety Managers Providing professional safety advice.

Business Activity Managers Complying with the requirements.

Employees Co-operating with the requirements.

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