CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS

 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:

1. is not primarily designed or intended for human occupancy
   
2. has a restricted entrance or exit by way of location, size or means 
3. Can represent a risk  for the health and safety of anyone who enters, 

 

Due to one or more of the following factors:

1. ·       its design, construction, location or atmosphere
2. ·       the materials or substances in it
3. ·       work activities being carried out in it, or the
4. ·       mechanical, process and safety hazards present

Confined spaces can be below or above ground. Confined spaces can be found in almost any workplace. A confined space, despite its name, is not necessarily small.

 

CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS

All hazards found in a regular workspace can also be found in a confined space. However, they can be even more hazardous in a confined space than in a regular worksite.

Hazards in confined spaces can include:

·       Poor air quality: There may be an insufficient amount of oxygen for the worker to breathe. The atmosphere might contain a poisonous substance that could make the worker ill or even cause the worker to lose consciousness. Natural ventilation alone will often not be sufficient to maintain breathable quality air.

·       Chemical exposures due to skin contact or ingestion as well as inhalation of 'bad' air.

·       Fire Hazard: There may be an explosive/flammable atmosphere due to flammable liquids and gases and combustible dusts which if ignited would lead to fire or explosion.

·       Process-related hazards such as residual chemicals, release of contents of a supply line.

·       Noise.

·       Safety hazards such as moving parts of equipment, structural hazards, entanglement, slips, and falls.

·       Radiation.

·       Temperature extremes including atmospheric and surface.

·       Shifting or collapse of bulk material.

·       Barrier failure resulting in a flood or release of free-flowing solid.

·       Uncontrolled energy including electrical shock.

·       Visibility.

·       Biological hazards.

CONFINED SPACE - SAFE ENTRY PROCEDURE

Prior to entry into an enclosed space or tank the following procedure should be applied:

a) A Safety meeting should be held prior to the survey to discuss all aspects of safety measures including at least all items below.

b) Entry Permit should be obtained for the space to be entered.

c) Identify the hazards and assess the risks.

e) Evaluate ventilation of the space: - Check that the tank or enclosed space is empty, cleaned and ventilated.

f) Evaluate need for isolation of the space.

g) Ensure that a standby and/or rescue team is in place.

h) Check and evaluate gas measurements taken.

The surveyor should always use his personal gas measuring equipment during the survey.

i) Evaluate need the for precaution against extreme temperature.

j) Evaluate the lighting arrangement.

k) Evaluate if special clothing and/or equipment are required.

A checklist with the items above is recommended to be used for evaluation if the space is safe to enter.

If extensive work is to be carried out within a large space, such as a cargo tank, it is recommended that a full assessment of the tank atmosphere is undertaken after the initial tests have been satisfactorily carried out and recorded. The tank atmosphere should be checked frequently during this entry, with particular attention being placed on testing the work location(s) and places that are inaccessible for testing from the deck. On satisfactory completion of this additional atmosphere test, the results should be recorded as required by the appropriate safety procedure in the Safety Management System.