CONFINED SPACE

Confined Space: One that has limited or restricted means of

entry or exit, is large enough for employees to enter and perform
their work, and is not designed for continuous occupancy, Which
may contain toxic or flammable atmosphere.

Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS): A Space that has one or more of the
following characteristics.
Contains or could contain hazardous atmosphere.
Contains materials that have the potential for engulfing (surround or
cover completely) the entrant.
Has an internal configuration such as that an entrant could be trapped
or asphyxiated.
Any other recognized safety hazards.
Eg: Manholes, Sewer lines or tunnels, Storage tanks, Silos (storage
tower), Boilers, Pipelines, Pits, Wells, Underground utility vaults and
storage.

General Atmospheric Hazards

1)Oxygen Deficiency:

Air Contains 78 % Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen.

< 19.5% of Oxygen level causes serious health problems (breathing)
Oxygen consumed by variety of chemical process.
Aerobic bacterial growth (consume oxygen to live)
Oxidation of rusting materials.
Combustion and displacement by other gases (welding/cutting torch)

Oxygen Symptoms Physical Effects

Content
18-23% None None
12-16% Increased Pulse Rate Lack of fine co-ordination
In fingers & hands.
10-12% Rapid Pulse Rate, Nausea, Breathing difficulties, lack
Headache of co-ordination.
6-10% Rapid Pulse Rate, Nausea, Complete lack of co-
Headache ordination, inability to
react to danger, loss of
consciousness.
0-6% Rapid Pulse Rate, Nausea, Death
Headache
Oxygen Enrichment: Oxygen more than 23.5% called enrichment
which causes fire (easy to catch fire).

2) Flammable/Combustible materials:
Eg: H2S, CO, Acetylene, Methane.
The proper mixture of fuel and oxygen varies from gas to gas. But
explosion range defined as the area between LEL & UEL.
 When the mixture is above the UEL, it can readily move into flammable
range with the addition of dilution air.
In Confined Spaces potential source of ignition, open flames, arcs from
electrical equipment, hot surfaces, static electricity and frictional sparks.

3) Toxic Gas Hazards:

Toxic gases or poisonous gases present two kinds of risks in confined
Space.
1) Irritation
a) Many gases, Existing in low concentration in the air. Are irritating to the
bodys respiratory and nervous system.
2) Asphyxiation
a) Any Gases which were present in high concentration, causes displacement of
oxygen in the body.
b) Eg1 : CO, Which is produced by incomplete combustion if carbon fuels. Co
kills by chemically combining with the haemoglobin in red cells. This gently
reduced the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the body tissues and brain
cells.
c) Eg2: H2S more toxic then CO. It is produced through the decay of organism
and natural materials.

CO Exposure Effects H2S Exposure Effects

35 ppm PEL over 8 hours shifts 10ppm PEL over 8 hour shift
500ppm Slight Headache 50-100ppm Mild eye and respiratory
irritation.
1000ppm Confusion, Nausea, 200-300ppm Marked increased in eye
Discomfort and lung irritation.
2000ppm Tendency to Stagger 500-700ppm Unconsciousness after 30
minute exposure.
2500ppm Unconsciousness after 30 1000ppm or Death within minutes.
minute exposure more
4000ppm Fatal in less than one hour.

4. Other Hazards

To prevent mechanical/electrical hazards in Confined Space follow

LOTO.

Measuring and monitoring atmospheric hazards

OXYGEN: According to the stand 19.5% is the minimum and 23.5% is

the maximum Range for Oxygen in Permit Required Confined Spaces
(PRCS).
COMUSTIBLES: Measure the % of LEL and according to the standard,
the acceptable Level for any combustible is at or below 10% of its LEL.
TOXIC: Measure the concentration of toxic substances which might be
available and compare same with TLV (PEL).
Eg: CO 35 ppm for 8 hours, H2S 10 ppm for 8 hours.