CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

Identify hazards
Assess risks
Take necessary control measures to eliminate or
reduce the risk.

Enclosed space hazards :

lack of oxygen
flammable vapours
poisonous gases
physical dangers due to the location, construction and contents of the
space

Enclosed space is a space which :

is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy

is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work
may have restricted means for entry and exit
may have an atmosphere which contains potentially harmful levels of
contamination
may not have a safe oxygen level
may cause engulfment eg. grain

Examples of enclosed spaces :

fuel tanks
water ballast tanks
cargo tanks
duct keels
boilers
furnaces
pressure vessels
void spaces

Competent person a person who has, through a combination of training,

education and experience acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to
perform correctly a specified task

Contaminant any dust, fume, mist, vapour, gas or other substance in liquid or solid
form, the presence of which may be harmful to health and safety.
Exposure standard (ES) an airborne concentration of a particular substance in the
persons breathing zone, exposure to which should not cause adverse health effects
nor cause undue discomfort to nearly all persons.

Time weighted average (TWA) an average airborne concentration of a particular

substance when calculated over a normal eight-hour work day, for a five-day
working week.

Short term exposure limit (STEL) a 15 minute TWA exposure which should not
be exceeded at any time during a work day even if the eight-hour TWA average is
within the TWA exposure standard. Exposure at the STEL should not be longer than
15 minutes, should not be repeated more than four times per day, and should be at
least 60 minutes between successive exposures at the STEL.

Peak a maximum or peak airborne concentration of a particular substance

determined over the shortest analytically practicable-period of time, which does not
exceed 15 minutes.

Purging the method by which contaminants are displaced from a confined space.

Flammable range the range of flammable gas or vapour (% by volume in air) in

which an explosion can occur upon ignition. Expressed as Lower Explosive Limit
(LEL) and Upper Explosive Limit (UEL)

Lower Explosive Limit in relation to a flammable contaminant, the concentration

of contaminant in air below which the propagation of a flame does not occur on
contact with an ignition source.

Upper Explosive Limit in relation to a flammable contaminant, the concentration

of the contaminant in air above which the propagation of a flame does not occur on
contact with an ignition source.

Hot work welding, thermal/oxygen cutting, heating and other fire-producing or

spark-producing operations which may increase the risk of fire or explosion.

Regulatory authority an authority having the power to issue regulations, orders or

other instructions having the force of law in respect in respect of any subject covered
in this section.

Safe Oxygen Level a minimum oxygen content in air of 19.5 per cent by volume
under normal atmospheric pressure and a maximum oxygen content in air of 23.5 per
cent by volume under normal atmospheric pressure.

Stand-by Person a competent person assigned to remain on the outside of, and in
close proximity to, the space and capable of being in continuous communication with
and to observe those inside. If required, initiate rescue procedures, and operate and
monitor equipment used to ensure safety during entry/work in the confined space.

A competent person should be appointed to oversee an enclosed space entry to ensure

that statutory and safety requirements are met.
Oxygen deficiency :

slow oxidation reactions of organic or inorganic substances

rapid oxidation (combustion)
dilution of air with an inert gas
absorption by grains, chemicals or soils
by physical activity

Oxygen excess leaking oxygen supply fittings, cargo leaks

Contaminants :

solids, liquids, dust, gas, sludge, vapours, fumes, particulate

from manufacturing processes
bacteria or biological viruses or fungi
welding
painting
flammable products

Operation of moving equipment such as conveyor belts, throwing heads, augers.

General hazards :

suffocation by solids eg grain

electrocution
explosion or fire
noise
temperature
radiation
slips, trips and falls

Once hazards are identified a risk assessment must be undertaken by a competent

person including :

nature of the confined space

work required to be done
range of methods available
hazards involved and the associated risks
equipment involved
emergency rescue requirements

Administrative Controls :

One measure used as an administrative control is the use of entry permits. No person
is allowed to enter the space without an entry permit.

It is also important to ensure communication is established and maintained with the

personnel in the space.
All electrical equipment used in the space should comply with the relevant statutory
requirements. These will usually be low voltage, intrinsically safe, properly sealed,
double insulated and have Residual Current Devices.

Locks, tags or other protective procedures should only be removed by the installer.
This should only be done after the competent person has cleared the space of
personnel and confirmed it in writing.

The atmosphere in the space should be checked for :

toxic substance levels

oxygen level
flammability and/or explosive levels
temperature
radiation levels

The results must be recorded on the entry permit.

Atmospheric air has approximately 21% oxygen by volume. A space with less than
this should not be entered without further precautions. However, the space should not
have a significantly higher oxygen content as it poses an explosion risk. The
allowable limits are between 19.5% and 23.5% by volume.

The various dangers associated with materials can be obtained from their respective
Material Data Safety Sheets.

Gas testing :

confined space contains a safe oxygen level ( ie 21% oxygen by volume )

atmospheric contaminants ( eg toxic gases, dust, vapours) in the confined
space are eliminated.
Confined space is free from extremes of temperature
Concentration of flammable contaminants are below 5% of its LEL.

Instruments to detect gases :

detector tubes
electronic detectors

Detector tubes :

Advantages :

Robust and simple to use.

Can be used to detect a wide range of contaminants
Disadvantages of Detector Tubes :

Limited life (around two years)

Do not operate continuously
Low accuracy
Cross sensitive
No alarm
Leaks can give a low reading.
Some only indicate lack of selected sample

Electronic detectors are more commonly used on vessels.

Electronic detectors usually consist of a sensor that interacts

with the gas to produce an electrical signal proportional to
the gas concentration.
Advantages :

Direct reading
Continuous operation
Alarms ( including preset limits, low battery and sensor failure)
Multiple gas use
Highly accurate

The major disadvantage is that they require regular calibration :

prior to use zero check and response check

weekly zero check and calibration check against known gas standard
six monthly or manufacturers recommendations zero check and full
calibration by accredited service agent.

Additional disadvantages :

Sensor may have finite life

Batteries
Cross sensitivity to other gases
Limited range
Fragility

Sampling should cover three situations :

before entry to ascertain if it is safe

during entry to verify it is safe
at pre-determined intervals to ensure it remains safe

Hot work permit administrative control.

During Purging the following should be observed :

when flammable substances are being purged the equipment used should
be designed for such substances
the exhaust from the purging should not present any hazards
the pressure or draft created should not damage the structure of
equipment.

Ventilation can be either :

Natural
Forcing
Mechanical

Mechanical ventilation is preferred because it ensures positive circulation.

Short circuiting is avoided by ventilation at lower corner with exhaust at opposite

upper corner.

Entry permits :

Documents that certify the required precautions are taken before and during an
enclosed space entry operation.

The competent person in charge of the operation should complete the entry
permit and ensure that the precautions stipulated are maintained throughout the
operation.

The permit is for a given period of time and needs renewal if :

the competent person changes

a significant break in work occurs
a significant change in the atmosphere or work changes.

Entry permit should include :

1. location and description of the work to be done

2. hazards that may be encountered
3. isolation checklist
4. atmospheric test readings
5. continuing review of ventilation and atmospheric conditions
6. working conditions
7. clothing and equipment
8. personnel (number, stand-by etc.)
9. other precautions (eg. signposting and barricades)
10. emergency precautions

Entry permits and other records are required by the statutory authorities to be kept
for a specified period of time.