Training

Pack on
Confined
Space

SAFETY & ERGONOMICS, WORKS

TATA STEEL
 What is Confined Space ?
Confined Space is a space that meets all three
criteria:

Is large enough and so configured that an

employee can enter bodily and perform work;

Has limited means of entry and exit ;

Is not designed for continuous human
occupancy ;

Ex: Tank, pit, silo, tunnel, well, sewer, underground

utility vault

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 Examples
o tanks
o pits
o tunnels
o vaults
o boilers
o sewers
o shafts
o ventilation ducts
o crawl spaces

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 Examples contd.:
Manholes Pipes
Furnaces Trenches
Silos
Ducts
Hoppers
Bins
Gas Holders
ESPs
Dust Catcher
Cyclones
Cooling Tower
Cable tunnel Chimney

Vessels Conveyor tunnel

Well Duct
Mixing Chamber Furnace

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 Examples contd.:

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 Examples contd.:

RESTRICTED ENTRY
AND EXIT
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 Categorization of confined
spaces
Severity Clas Nature of Clearance giving
s Hazard authority
Example of
Confined Space

High A Gaseous CIF certified Gas Holders,

competent person Drainage Manholes,
Boilers, ESPs,

Medium B Entrapment CIF certified Bins, Hoppers, Dust

competent person catcher, Cyclones,

Low C Others Departmental Trained Cable Tunnels,

Competent Person Conveyor Tunnels ,
with safety Chimneys, Cooling
professional Towers

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 Competent Person
Competent Person: A person declared by Chief
Inspector of Factories as competent (under
Section 36 of Factory Act 1948) based on
qualification, experience and facilities
available at his disposal to certify a confined
space as safe to enter based on test /
examination of atmosphere carried out by him.

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 RISK ANALYSIS-
IT IS A TEST CARRIED OUT BY A COMPETENT PERSON TO
ASSESS THE RISKS INVOLVED IN THE SPACE .

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 Departmental Trained
Competent Person (DTCP):

A person trained by competent person based on

qualification, experience and facilities at his
disposal to certify a Low Severity confined
space as safe to work based on test/examination
of atmosphere carried out by him.

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 Regulatory Requirement
o Identify Confined Spaces in Workplace
o Identify hazards in these spaces
o Identify procedures for controlling these hazards
o Train employees on confined space entry
o Keep records of compliance & training for all
confined space activities

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 Potential Hazards in Confined
Spaces
Oxygen Deficiency Toxic Materials
◦ <19.5% or >23.5% ◦ Carbon Monoxide
oxygen concentration ◦ Hydrogen Sulfide
Combustibles ◦ Welding fumes
◦ Methane ◦ Corrosives
◦ Hydrogen
◦ Acetylene Electricity
◦ Propane Mechanical Hazards
◦ Gasoline fumes ◦ Mixers
◦ Crushers
Nitrogen/Argon

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 Toxic Gases
 Decomposition of matter generates hydrogen
sulfide (heavier than air),

 Carbon monoxide from welding; presence of

byproduct gases( Coke Oven, Blast Furnace &
LD gas) nearby area in utility lines;

 Chlorine from bleach

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 Oxygen Enrichment
oO levels above 23.5% are considered “Oxygen Enriched.”
2

oOxygen Enriched atmospheres create fire and explosion

hazards.

oCause flammable materials such as clothing to burn rapidly

when ignited and may cause non-flammable materials to
ignite.

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 Oxygen Deficiency
oNormal air contains 21% Oxygen (O2). An O2
level of 19.5% or less is considered O2
deficient.

oA reduction in O2 can be caused by rusting,

decomposition, or replacement by another
gas like nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

oLack of O2 can cause a person to collapse and

die.

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 Oxygen content & Symptoms
% of oxygen by Signs & Symptoms ( Atmospheric Pressure)
volume
19.5 % Minimum permissible levels that work can be
performed without respirators. Below this workers shall
be required to wear supplied air respirator.
17 % Hypoxia symptoms, accelerated breathing and heart
rate appear.
14 – 16 % Accelerated breathing, increased heart rate, poor
muscular coordination, Fatigue, impaired perception
and judgement.
12 % Unconsciousness without warning, poor judgement,
blue lips
6 – 10 % Nausea, vomiting and unconsciousness; 8 minutes 100
% fatal; 6minutes 50 % fatal; 4 -5 minutes may recover
with treatment.
<6% Coma in 40 seconds, spermatic breathing, convulsions
and death

03/23/2022 SETON COMPLIANCE RESOURCE CENTERS 16

 RESPEROTARY EQUIP USED IN O2 DEFICIANT SPACE.

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 Physical Hazards in Confined Space
 Engulfment
 Temperature Extremes
 Electrical Hazards
 Noise
 Slippery Surfaces
 Dust
 Smoke

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 Control Measures
The hierarchy of control measures to eliminate or
minimize the risk should be followed in the priority order
listed and consists of the following steps:
I. Elimination
II. Substitution
III. Isolation
IV. Engineering controls
V. Administrative controls
VI. Use of PPEs.
VII. Use of rescue tools

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 Permit-Required in Confined Space
oContains or has the potential to contain a hazardous
atmosphere
oContains a material that has the potential for engulfing
an entrant
oInternal configuration that might cause entrant to be
trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or
floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller
cross section
oContains any other recognized serious safety or health
hazard

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 Entry
 "Entry" is when a person passes
through an opening into a permit-
required confined space

 Any part of the body passing

through the opening is
considered entry.

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 Before Entry
Ventilate, eliminate, or control the space’s
atmospheric hazards

Blind or disconnect and cap all input lines so

that no hazardous materials can enter the
space

Positive Isolation (Lockout/Tag out)

When entrance covers are removed, guard

the opening immediately

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 Atmospheric Monitoring
Test permit space before entry
Periodically monitor permit space
to determine if entry conditions
are maintained
Test all areas (top, middle, &
bottom)
Observe status of existing hazards
and those created during entry
operations

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Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
Full-body Harness
Respirator (half-mask, gas mask,
Air-line Respirator, etc.)
Helmet, safety shoe, safety
goggles, nose mask, proper
clothing and suitable hand
gloves,

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Respiratory Equipments:

Trvox 120 Gas Mask BG4 GAS MASK

LIFE OXYPACK

Air Line Respirator

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SAFETY EQUIPMENTS Contd…

INERTIA REEL BLOCK

TRIPOD RETRIVAL SYSTEM FALL ARREST HARNESS

GAS MONITORING DEVICE BREATHING APPARATUS

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 Equipment Requirements
Testing and monitoring equipment
Ventilating equipment
Communications equipment
Lighting equipment
Barriers
Equipment needed for safe entry and exit
Emergency equipment
Other equipment for safe entry
Rescue arrangements

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 Site Supervisor
The employee responsible for coordinating
the entry into the confined space. This must
be a team leader or foreman.

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 The Entry Permit
Permit must be completed before
entry is authorized
Site supervisor must sign the
permit
Permit must be made available at
the time of entry so entrants can
confirm that pre-entry preparations
have been completed

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 The Entry Permit
Duration may not exceed the time identified on the permit
Problems encountered during entry shall be noted on the permit so that
appropriate revisions can be made to the program

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 Contents of The Entry Permit
1. Permit space to be entered
2. Purpose of the entry
3. Date and the authorized duration of the entry
permit
4. Authorized entrants
5. Attendants
6. Site supervisor with a space for the signature

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 Contents of The Entry Permit
7. Hazards of the permit space
8. Measures used to isolate the permit space and
to eliminate or control permit space hazards
before entry
9. Acceptable entry conditions
10. Results of initial and periodic tests, names or
initials of the testers and when the tests were
performed

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 Contents of The Entry Permit
11. Rescue and emergency services
12. Communication procedures
13. Equipment (personal protective equipment,
testing equipment, communications
equipment, alarm systems, rescue equipment,
etc.)
14. Any other information necessary in order to
ensure employee safety

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 ENTRANT
The employee who will
physically enter the
confined space to
perform the work.

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 Duties of Authorized Entrants
Understand all potential hazards
Know what equipment to use & how to use it properly
Communicate with attendant regularly
If the unexpected occurs – alert the attendant

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 Duties of Authorized Entrants
EVACUATE the confined space when:
Order to evacuate is given by the attendant
or the entry supervisor
Entrant recognizes any warning sign or
symptom of exposure to a dangerous
situation
Evacuation alarm is activated

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 ATTENDANT
The employee who remains outside the
confined space and monitors the
entrant(s); guards the space against
unauthorized entry; warns the entrants
of any unusual conditions; and summons
the rescue personnel if needed.

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 Duties of Attendants
"Attendant" - stationed outside
permit space; monitors entrants
Know the hazards including signs,
symptoms and consequences of
exposure
Continuously maintains accurate
count of entrants in permit space
Remains outside the permit space
during entry until relieved by
another attendant
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 Duties of Attendants
Communicate with entrants to monitor entrant status
and to alert entrants if the need to evacuate arises
Monitor activities inside & outside the space and keep
unauthorized individuals away.
Summon Emergency Services
Perform non-entry rescues when applicable and
they have training
Perform no duties that might interfere with
primary duty to monitor and protect entrants

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 Duties of Site Supervisor
“Site supervisor" - person responsible for
determining if acceptable entry conditions are
present, for authorizing entry, overseeing entry
operations, and for terminating entry as
required
A site supervisor also may serve as an
attendant or as an entrant, as long as that
person is trained and equipped to do so
Know the hazards including signs, symptoms,
and consequences of exposure

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 Duties of Site Supervisor

Verify that the entry permit is complete, all

tests have been conducted and all
procedures and equipment are in place
before allowing entry to begin
Verify that rescue services are available
and that the means for summoning them
are operable
Remove unauthorized individuals who
enter or attempt to enter the space

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 Rescue and Emergency Services
Self-Rescue
Non-entry Rescue
Fire/Rescue – Call Fire Brigade
Supervisor shall inform Emergency Control
Agencies of the hazards they may encounter on
site
Provide the rescue provider with access to all
permit spaces so they can develop rescue plans
and practice rescue operations

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 Rescue Equipment
Each entrant shall use a full body
 harness (and a retrieval line if
 feasible)
A mechanical retrieval device (Tripod)
shall be available for vertical type permit
spaces.
Retrieval systems shall be used unless
they increase the overall risk of entry or
would not contribute to the rescue

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 Program Review
Review entry operations when there is reason to
believe that measures taken may not protect
employees and revise the program before
subsequent entries
Review the permit space program annually and
revise the program as necessary to ensure that
employees participating in entry operations are
protected
If you have any questions, concerns, or
recommendations let your supervisor and/or EH&S
know.

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 Responsible Person
The person directly responsible for the
work being performed in the confined
space. This can be the Team Leader,
Foreman, journeyman, or other person
qualified by training and experience.

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 Permit-Required Confined
Space Entry Procedure
Isolate the space
Ventilate the space
Conduct Tailboard
Complete permit
Test the atmosphere
Enter the space

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 Isolate the Space from all hazards
Close Valves
◦ Double block & bleed, or
◦ Blank flange
Empty the Space
◦ Depressurize, vent & drain
Lockout/Tagout Equipment
◦ Electrical sources
◦ Rotating/reciprocating parts
◦ Hazardous materials
Clean residue from the space

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 Ventilate the Space
 Use mechanical ventilation
– Fans
– Air horns
 Ventilate at the rate of at least four (4)
volumes per hour
– Larger spaces require more
ventilation
 Make sure air supply is not
contaminated
– Ventilation air supply must be from
fresh air uncontaminated with
flammables, toxins, etc.

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 Conduct a Tailboard Briefing
Entire crew must attend
◦ Attendants, entrants, site supervisor
Review hazards of entry and work
Review PPE
Review procedure for contacting rescue
◦ Verify rescue available
Complete permit

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 Complete Entry Permit Form
(# EHSMSM/WORKS/446/4002)
Permit must be correctly and completely
filled out prior to entry.
Permit must be activated by Site
Supervisor’s signature to be valid.
No entry is allowed without a valid permit.
Permits are valid for up to the time
mentioned in the specified entry form.
When work is completed, work permit form
should be returned
Cancelled permits must be kept on file for at
least one year.

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 Test the Atmosphere
In this order:
Check for Oxygen Content:
◦ At least 19.5% and less than 23.5%
Check for Combustibles:
◦ Less than 10% of the LEL
Check for Toxic Gasses:
◦ Most commonly carbon monoxide (TLV <50 ppm)
◦ or any other hazardous materials as determined by the
use of the space.

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 NOTICE:
Any time a limit is exceeded, no matter
what the reason, all personnel shall
immediately exit the space, and no
others shall enter until atmospheric
conditions are returned to safe levels.

THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS!

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 Atmosphere Testing Shall Be Performed:

Prior to every entry when the space is vacant

At least hourly for permit-required confined spaces.
More frequently, if conditions or suspicions
warrant.

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Test the atmosphere
Always test the
air at various levels
Good Air
to be sure that the
entire space is safe.

Poor Air
Good air near the
opening does
NOT mean there
is good air at the
Deadly Air
bottom!

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 Permit from the competent person
It should be taken in written in the standard entry
permit form# EHSMSM/WORKS/446/4002 .Two
parts of the form must be filled up as per instructions
given below: Part I – Must be authorized and signed
by competent person based on test/examination
conducted by him indicating his findings in the
format. He shall also recommend periodicity of work
area parameter checking.
Part II - Based on the approval and authentication by
competent person in Part-I, departmental site in
charge will issue the permit for work inside the
confined space, indicating checks carried out, to the
working agency by filling format in Part-II.

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 Enter the Space and Proceed with work:
An attendant shall be posted near the entrance
for the duration of the work. He shall be in
constant communication with the entrants while
the job is in progress.
All entrants shall sign the sign in log when
entering the space and sign out when exiting.
The attendant shall maintain the permit and sign
in log for the duration of the work.

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 When the Job is Done:

Remove all personnel, tools, and debris from

the space. Sign off the log register.
Close the space.
Cancel the permit.
Review the job with the host employer
(hazards, problems, other employers, etc.)

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 Evaluate the Space
Determine that the space meets all the conditions set forth in
the non-permit justifications
Conduct atmospheric testing
Evaluation must be certified by Site Supervisor’s signature
Determine that the confined space does not:
◦ contain or have the potential to contain a hazardous
atmosphere
◦ Continuous mechanical ventilation not acceptable as good
atmosphere
◦ contain a material with the potential for engulfment
◦ Has an internal configuration which could trap or
asphyxiate, or
◦ contain any recognized serious safety or health hazard

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 Welding in Confined Spaces
oContinuous ventilation should be
provided in the confined space.
Pure oxygen should never be used
for ventilation.
oConduct continuous monitoring
throughout the entry to ensure
that the area remains safe for
entrants.
oGas cylinders and welding power
sources should remain outside the
confined space.
Remember to follow all Confined Space Entry and Welding Safety Guidelines

Safety & Ergonomics, Works Jamshedpur TATA STEEL

CONCLUSION:
1. POSITIVE ISOLATION OF ALL ENERGY SOURCES.
2. VENTILATION OF SPACE BY SUPPLYING FRESH ATMOSPHERIC AIR AND REMOVING
CONTAMINANTS.
3. TESTING OF ATMOSPHERE IN SPACE BY COMPETENT PERSON.
4. IF ATMOSPHERE IN CONFINED SPACE FREE FROM CONTAMINANTS THEN FOLLOW NEXT STEP OR
ELSE GOTO STEP 2.
5. ISSUE OF ENTRY PERMIT BY COMPETENT PERSON, THEN ISSUE OF WORK PERMIT BY LINE
MANAGEMENT.
6. MANTAINING OF REGISTER FOR THE ENTRANTS.

7. PREPARATION FOR ENTRY INTO SPACE (TRIPOD RETRIEVER, FALLARRESTER, Etc. AND RESCUE
EQUIPMENTS INSTALLED).

8. ENTRY OF ENTRANTS INTO THE SPACE WITH ALL REQUIRED PPEs. RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENTS TO
BE TAKEN IF REQUIRED.

9. WORK TO BE DONE UNDER SUPERVISION AND CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF THE SPACE TO BE

DONE.

10. SAFE EXIT OF THE ENTRANTS. REGISTER TO BE MANTAINED FOR SAFE EXIT OF ENTRANTS.

11. RETURN OF WORK PERMIT.

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Safety & Ergonomics, Works Jamshedpur TATA STEEL