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Industrial Safety
And Maintenance
Management
CH-417
Lecture 5
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Confined Space
Large Enough to
Enter

YES

Not a
Limited Means Confined
of Entry/Exit NO
Space
YES

Not design for 3

Continuous
Occupancy
Examples Confined Spaces

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Common Accidents of Confined Spaces

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Common Accidents of Confined Spaces

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Common Accidents of Confined Spaces

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Why Confined
Space Training is
Necessary?

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Why?

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Signs

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Confined Space Hazards

Atmospheric
Physical
Mechanical

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Confined Space Hazards
Atmospheric Hazards
Oxygen deficiency
Oxygen-enriched atmospheres
Flammable/combustible gases and vapors
Toxic gases and Chemicals

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Atmospheric Hazards
Safe Oxygen Level

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Atmospheric Hazards
Oxygen-Deficient Atmospheres
Causes of oxygen deficiency
 Burning
 Oxidation and Rusting
 Decomposition of Organic material
 Displacement by other gases

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Atmospheric Hazards
Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres
Causes of oxygen enrichment
Effects of oxygen enrichment

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Flammable Atmospheres
Presence of 3 critical factors:
 Flammable gas, or vapor
 Oxygen content in the air
 Ignition Source

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Flammable Atmospheres
Proper air/gas mixture can lead to explosion.

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LFL– Lower Flammable limit
UFL- Upper Flammable limit
Toxic Atmosphere
Occurrence of toxic substances
 Product stored in confined space
 Improper Isolation
 Worked performed in confined space

Common toxic chemicals

 VOC  H2S
 CO  HCL
 NO2
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Toxic gases and Chemicals
VOC
 Spaces associated with the oil and
petrochemical industry
 Heavier than air
 VOC vapors are often toxic and flammable at
very low concentrations
 VOC vapors are commonly measured by means
of photoionization detector (PID) sensors. 19
Toxic gases and Chemicals
Hydrogen Sulfide
Decomposition of organic materials, like human
waste.
Heavier than air
Rotten egg odor at low concentrations
Possibly no warning at high concentrations
Permissible exposure limit is 10ppm for 8 hour
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Toxic gases and Chemicals
Nitrogen dioxide
Most toxic substance of diesel emissions usually
present in boilers and furnaces.
Yellowish-brown gas with pungent odor.
Irritation of the nose and throat.
Combines with water in lungs to form nitric acid
resulting pulmonary edema.
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Toxic gases and Chemicals
Carbon Monoxide
Combustion by-product
Odorless, colorless gas, slightly lighter than air.
Quickly collapse at high concentrations
Permissible exposure limit is 50ppm for 8 hour

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Confined Space Hazards
Physical Hazards
 Engulfment in solid or liquid.
 Extreme temperatures
 Insufficient lighting
 Noise
 Wet surfaces
 Falling objects
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 Physical Hazards
Engulfment
Can cause death by plugging respiratory system

Can exert enough force on body to cause death

by strangulation, constriction or crushing

Example Loose, granular materials stored in

bins and hoppers - grain, sand, coal, etc 24
Physical Hazards
Extreme temperatures
The enclosed nature of a confined space can
 Increase the risk of heat stroke
 Collapse from heat stress

The risk may be intensified by

 Personal protective equipment
 Lack of ventilation.
 Increased humidity 25
Physical Hazards
Noise
Amplified due to acoustics within the space
Damaged hearing, affects communication
Wet Surfaces
Slips and falls
Increased chance of electric shock
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Physical Hazards
Insufficient Lightening
Emergency light should be provided to easily
locate escape and exits
Explosion proof lighting may be required.
Falling Objects
Topside openings expose workers inside
confined space to falling objects 27
Confined Space Hazards
Mechanical Hazards
Configuration.
Grinding, crushing, or mixing mechanisms.

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Hierarchy of Safety
Precaution for Confined Space Work
 Eliminate: Avoid entering confined spaces
 Prevent: Develop and implement a safe
system of work;
 Control: Devise Emergency plan.

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Eliminate

Avoid entering confined spaces

If the intended work is really necessary or if you
could
 Modify

 Work done from outside

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Prevention

Safe System of Work

A competent person should be
appointed to
 Carry out Risk Assessment

 Recommend Safety precaution

 Develop Safe system of work

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Prevention

Check list for Safe System of Work

 Appoint suitable person for Work
 Isolation
 Cleaning and Cooling before entry
 Check the size of Entrance

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Prevention

Safe System of Work Check list

Testing of Air
 Provision of Ventilation
 Provision for Special tools and lighting
 Provision for PPE

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Ventilation

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Ventilation

Remove contaminants heavier

than air (eg H2S )

Remove contaminants lighter

than air (eg CO)
Determination of Purge Time

Purge times can be estimated by :

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T = 7.5 V/C

T = purge time in minutes

V = the volume of the space in ft3
C = effective blower capacity ft3/min
Purging Time Example
An estimation of purging time is needed
for an 800 ft3 deep neck manhole. The

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effective blower capacity is 250 CFM.

T = 7.5 V/C

800/250 x 7.5 = 24 minutes

Testing of Confined Space
Duration
Testing order
1. Oxygen
2. Combustible gases
3. Toxic gases and vapors.
Sampling in layers
Document all results
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Hierarchy of Safety
Precaution for Confined Space Work
Emergency Exit Plan
 Communication
 Shutdown
 First Aid Procedures
 Drill
 Emergency Services

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Types of Confined Spaces
1. Non-Permit
2. Permit Required Entry

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PERMIT

What is the purpose of entry?

How much time will be spent working inside
the confined space?
Who are the people authorized to enter the
space?
Who will be the attendant that stays outside
the confined space?

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PERMIT

What are the atmospheric conditions in the

confined space?
What are the methods of communication
between people inside the confined space and
people outside the space?
What kinds of equipment are being provided
and used for safe entry?

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PERMIT

Are there any additional safety checklists that

need to be completed?
How have you have eliminated the hazards
before you enter the confined space?

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PERMIT

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PERMIT

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PERMIT

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PERMIT

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Duties of Attendants
Knows the hazards.
Maintains an accurate
count of entrants.
Remains outside the
permit space until relieved
by another attendant.
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Duties of Attendants
Knows the hazards.
Maintains an accurate
count of entrants.
Remains outside the
permit space until relieved
by another attendant.
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Duties of Attendants
Maintains regular communication with
entrants
Monitors conditions inside and outside of
the permit space.
 Summon/Call for rescue services when
needed.

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Duties of Attendants
Ensures unauthorized personnel do not
enter permit space or affect operations.
Performs non-entry rescues
Performs no other duties that might
interfere with primary duty to monitor and
protect the entrant(s).

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Get Out!

 All activities should stop

 The worker(s) should exit immediately
 The hazard should be evaluated
 Protective measures should be taken

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Always Remember
Test the atmosphere prior to entry and
periodically.
Never enter a confined space if the
atmospheric conditions are not suitable.
Ensure an attendant is outside the confined
space at all times.
Follow your company’s confined space 55
permit.
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