CONFINED SPACE

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 1

 PURPOSE

This session is intended to provide an awareness

of the hazards and requirements associated with
entering confined spaces.

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 2

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?

“Any enclosed or partially enclosed space

located either above or below ground or
deck level where entry is possible and
where there is a risk of oxygen deficiency,
or enrichment, the accumulation of dust or
gases which are flammable or hazardous”
 Other Criteria

 Large Enough To Enter and Work

 Has Limited Access or Egress
 Not Designed for Human Occupancy

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 3

 EXAMPLES
 Process Vessels
 Process Exchangers
 Process Towers & Tower Skirts
 Tanks
 Sumps & Underground Collection Pits
 Sewer Systems
 Excavation / Trenches (>1.2mtr)
 Pipes
 Crawl Spaces (Buildings)

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 4

 Excavations


• Collapse  Before an individual enters a
confined space:
• Flooding  He should have received adequate
training
• Cave in  Be re-assessed or have received
refresher training
• Insect bites  Be physically fit
 Not suffer from any psychological
• Access & Egress problems

ER
DANG D
INE
CONF E
SPAC

DANGER DANGER
CONFINED DEEP
SPACE EXCAVATION

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 5

 Confined space Hazards

Oxygen Deficiency
ATMOSPHERIC
Purging of confined space with an inert gas
Oxygen Deficient
Biological processes which consume oxygen
Oxygen Enriched This can occur in sewers, storage tanks and
storm water drains
Toxic
Gradual oxygen depletion in Confined Space
Flammable by operatives breathing
A closed vessel can consume oxygen due to
the rusting process
Contaminated
Air

Fresh
Air

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 6

 ATMOEPHERIC HAZARDS

Oxygen Deficiency Oxygen Deficiency

20.9 % Normal oxygen level
Normal Atmosphere
Oxygen level at 19 - 5 % Minimum acceptable oxygen level
20.9%
15 -19% Decreased ability to work strenuously Impair
Oxygen Deficient
coordination. Early symptoms
Atmosphere
Oxygen level is
12-14% Respiration increases. Poor judgment
lower than 19.5%
 Inert gases
(nitrogen or 10-12% Respiration increases. Lips blue
argon)
 Flammable 8-10% Mental failure. Fainting. Nausea
gases Unconsciousness. Vomiting
 Toxic gases
or vapour 6-8% 8 minutes - fatal, 6 minutes - 50% fatal 4-5
 Formation minutes - possible recovery
of rust
4-6% Coma in 40 seconds. Death

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 7

 ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS
Oxygen Enriched
Oxygen level above 21.5%
Causes flammable and combustible
materials to burn violently when
ignited
Hair, clothing, materials, etc
Oil soaked clothing and materials
Never use pure oxygen to ventilate
Never store or place compressed
tanks or cylinders in a confined
space
Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential
Toxic Atmosphere
Product stored in a confined space:
 Gases released when cleaning
 Materials absorbed into walls
of confined space
 Decomposition of materials in
the confined space
Work performed in a confined space:
 Welding, cutting, brazing,
soldering
 Painting, scraping, sanding,
degreasing
 Sealing, bonding, melting
Areas adjacent to a confined space
8
 ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS
Hydrogen Sulfide H2S

 Decomposition of materials. Human waste

 Rotten egg odour at low concentrations
 Possibly no warning at high concentrations

PPM Effect Time

10 ppm Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
50 - 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
200 - 300 Significant Irritation 1 Hour
500 - 700 Unconsciousness Death 1/2 - 1 Hour
>1000 Unconsciousness Death in Minutes

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 9

 Atmospheric Hazards

Flammable Atmosphere
•2 Critical Factors:
•Oxygen content in the air
•Presence of a flammable gas, or vapour
•Proper air/gas mixture can lead to explosion
•Typical Ignition Sources:

•Sparking or electric tool

•Welding / cutting operations
•Smoking

Carbon Monoxide: CO
 Odourless, Colourless Gas
 Combustion By-Product
 Quick collapse at high concentrations
PPM Effect Time
50 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
200 Slight headache, discomfort 3 Hours
600 Headache, discomfort 1 Hour
Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 10
ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS
Flammable Atmosphere
Common Types:
-Methane, Acetylene Gas
-Fuel, Solvent, Paint, Vapour
-Coal, Grain or Sulphur Dust

Summary
It is not the confined space that harms you in
most cases, it’s the hazardous atmosphere
contained within it.

It is important to undertake a thorough Risk

Assessment prior to entry taking into account as
much information from as many sources as you
can.

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 11

CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS

PHYSICAL HAZARDS Temperature Extremes

Extremely hot or cold temperatures
Temperatures
Steam cleaning of confined
Noise spaces
Electrical Humidity factors

Slips, Trips and Falls Extremely cold liquids

Work processes inside the

Poor Visibility confined space can increase
temperature extremes
Restricted Access /Egress
Personal Protective Equipment

Collapse of structure

Flooding

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 12

 PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Noise Loose, granular materials

Amplified due to acoustics within the space
Damaged hearing, affect communication
stored such as grain, sand,
coal, sulphur … etc
Wet Surfaces / Access / Egress
Slips and fall Flooding of confined space
Electrical
Increased chance of electric shock Contaminated Waters or
sewage flow
Falling Objects
Topside openings expose workers inside
confined space to falling objects

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 13

 CONFINED SPACE
REQUIREMENTS
AND
CONTROLS

CAUTION
Confined Space certificate and

Work Permit Required

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 14

 ATMOSPHERE
REQUIREMENTS
 Initial Atmospheric test prior to entry must be taken by an
|AGT and a Safety Officer.
 Isolation
 Ventilation
 No gas cylinders inside confined space allowed
 Risk assessment

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 15

 ATMOSPHERE
REQUIREMENTS
1. Oxygen level: between 19.5 % and 21.5% by volume
2. Flammable gases: 0 % of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
3. Carbon Monoxide (CO): under 20 ppm
4. Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S): 0 ppm

COMB OXY
3 % LEL 21.2
6 0

ppm CO ppm H2S

Check Power Reset

ELECTRONIC GAS DETECTORS

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 16

 PPE REQUIREMENTS

Site minimum PPE when LIGHTING

required: Low voltage: below 24 volts

Personal monitors Double wound full isolation

step-down transformer
Safety harness/lifeline
Battery system
Gloves
Hand held torch
Hearing protection
Protective guards to prevent
Breathing apparatus
breakage
Any others based on job Transformer to reduce outlet
requirements voltage below 24 volts
Transformer must remain
outside the Enclosed Space

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 17

 Hand Held Equipment

Requires the use of an earth ELECTRICAL

Leakage circuit breaker or
Use current device
Leads must be protected
from chaffing or Mechanical
damage
Potentially flammables area:
explosion proof equipment to
be used
Cables secured/safe routes
Isolation procedures

Locks & Tags

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 18

 SAFETY WATCH
Requirements

 Safety Watch to be trained

 Safety Watch to record personnel in and out the
confined space in the log book
 Safety Watch: communication with personnel inside the
confined space, Panel Operator and with rescue teams

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 19

PERMIT TO WORK
Requirements
No permit, NO entry !!

To be requested 24 hrs prior entry

Permit must be signed by the relevant

persons

Posted at the entrance of the confined

space
Identification of the job, location and
hazards

The date of the work and duration of the

permit

Gas tests prior entry and at pre-determined

intervals recorded on the permit

All isolations required or other specific

conditions needed to perform the job safely

Daily checks regarding permit compliance

to be done by Area Operator and Performing
Party

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 20

 RESCUE
Emergency:
The Supervisor to call
immediately for assistance
and evacuate the confined
space if possible
Under no circumstances should
the Safety Watch or anybody
else enter the confined space to
rescue a casualty without the
assistance of Emergency Team

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 21

Performance Party & SW duty
Performing Party Duty
To hold a Pre-entry Hazard ID meeting to
cover the scope of the work, rescue plan,
Job responsibilities and safety issues of
the entry.
To assure adequate protection is
provided to the entrants by verifying
adequate lockout/tagout and that all
hazards are securely isolated
To support the Safety Watch’s authority in
controlling access to a confined space
To verify that all personnel have exited
prior to closing the space
To assure that all personnel involved are
aware of the hazards associated with the
space. (Conduct Toolbox Talk)
Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential
Safety Watch Duty
To monitor entrants during the job and
during entry & exit to help ensure their
safety
The Safety Watch may not leave his post
for any reason while personnel are in the
space unless relieved by another qualified
Safety Watch
To control access to the confined space
To summon emergency assistance as
needed
To assess hazards in and around the
space, and take action on the same
To keep records of confined space work,
such as air test results, personnel
entry/exit, etc
22
 ENTRANT
RESPONSIBILITIES

 To immediately exit a space, without question,

upon word of the attendant, no matter what
the reason
 To follow all safety rules and procedures that
apply to the job
 To be familiar with the work to be performed
and the procedures that apply to the job.
(Toolbox Talk)
 To use the appropriate PPE whenever
necessary
 DO not Enter in any confined space without a
valid confined space entry permit. !!!

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 23

 EMERGENCY RESPONSE

1. Ensure everyone inside the space exit immediately

2. All equipment in use is to be left in a safe condition

3. the Safety Watch to notify that all people have

evacuated

SHOULD ANY EMERGENCY DEVELOP ON THE PLANT,

THE PERMITS IN THE AFFECTED AREA ARE
AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED.

REVALIDATION IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO RE-ENTRY

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 24

 Summary

Preparation

•Signage in Place

Permit

•Communication And Emergency

Procedures In Place
Competent Personnel

•Briefing Conducted By
Performing Party In Charge
Tools And Equipment

Isolation When Necessary

Ventilation
If Any Doubt, Ask, Ask and Ask
Testing Atmosphere Again !!!

Thank you

Sensitivity-Level: RasGas Confidential 25