Confined Space: Safety and Health Officer Certificate Course

Confined Space
Safety and Health Officer

Certificate Course
1
OBJECTIVES
1. State the definition of confined
space
2. List at least 4 activities involving

confined space
3. List at least 4 hazards associated

with confined space
2 © 2014 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. No part of this document shall be
reproduced without written consent of NIOSH Malaysia.
OBJECTIVES
4. State 4 strategies to prevent
accidents in confined spaces
5. Prepare a safety plan for works

involving confined space
6. State the statutory requirements

related to work in confined space
SCOPE
1. Definition and examples
2. Statutory requirements
3. Work and hazards
4. Accidents in confined space
5. Safety measures
6. Conclusion
DEFINITION OF CONFINED
SPACE
• An enclosed or partially enclosed space
• Is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy, and
• Is not intended or designed primarily as a place of
work, and
• Is liable at any time to :
– Have an atmosphere which contains harmful levels of
contaminants
– Have an oxygen deficiency or excess
– Cause engulfment; and
• Could have restricted means for entry and exit
(From Industry Code Of Practice For Safe Working In Confined Space 2010)
CONFINED SPACE
• Examples:
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
• Factories and Machinery (Safety, Health and
Welfare) Regulations 1970 Regulation 13:
Provision on works in confined space
• Industry Code of Practice for Safe Working in a
Confined Space 2010 under the Occupational
Safety and Health Act 1994
• Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994
– Section 15: General duties of employers and self-
employed persons
– “ making of arrangements for ensuring the safety
and absence of risks to health in connection with
the use or operation, handling, storage and
transport of plant and substances ”
WORKS IN CONFINED SPACE
• Clearing and cleaning works

• Welding works
• Painting of tank walls
• Inspection works
• Replacement of equipments
• Repair works
• Measurement/sampling works
CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS
• Oxygen deficiency and enrichment
• Presence of Toxic gasses
• Presence of Flammable gases
• Engulfment (solid or fluid)
• Biological hazards
•Insects
•Animals such as snakes
• Insufficient lighting
• Ergonomic hazards
• Presence of liquids/water
• Slippery floors
• Fire or explosion
• Mechanical equipment
• Noise hazards (generated from
work activities)
• Lack of oxygen, where oxygen
content in the air is less than 19.5%
– Oxygen is replaced by other gases such
as nitrogen
– Oxygen is used for:
• Welding works
• Chemical reactions
• Person at work
• Biological reactions
• Fire or explosion
– Oxygen content is more than 23.5%

– Presence of easily flammable
gas/liquid
– Use of electricity
CONFINED SPACE ACCIDENTS
• Drowning
• Lack of oxygen
• Inhalation of toxic gases
• Electric shock
• Crushed by falling object
• Falls
• Contact with objects/structures
• Fire
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
STRATEGIES
• Identify confined spaces at the

workplace
• Identify and assess probable hazards that
may exist
• Plan before carrying out any kind of work
• Monitor from time to time the
implementation of the plan
PLANNING AND SAFETY MEASURES
BEFORE STARTING WORKS
1. Have system of permit to enter and
work in confined space
2. Prepare safe operating procedures
3. Conduct training of the SOP for the
related workers
4. Conduct a gas test of the atmosphere
condition in the confined space by an
Authorised Gas Tester (AGT)
PLANNING AND SAFETY
MEASURES BEFORE starting work:
5. Purge hazardous gas/pollutants and
ensure sufficient ventilation
6. Display warning signages and
fencing around work area
7. Ensure availability of fire prevention
equipment within close proximity of
the confined space entrance
PLANNING AND SAFETY
9. Establish an emergency response team,
first aiders and emergency equipment
10. Must have a entry supervisor (ES) and
stand-by person (SP) to monitor activities
and record the authorised entrant (AE)
name and type of job
11. Prepare and provide suitable personal
protective equipment for the use of
worker and emergency team
PLANNING AND
.
SAFETY
12. Isolate/close all valves and connections
to the tank using the lock out/tag out
system
13. Prepare an exhaust system, if applicable
for the suction of dust and welding
activities
14. Ensure the suitability of hand and electric
tools with the task at hand
15. Ensure safety of all electric equipment
PLANNING AND
.
SAFETY
16. Ensure the safety of entrance and

exit points of the tank
17. Select workers who are physically
and mentally fit, and are properly
trained in confined space works
and record their names
PLANNING AND SAFETY
MEASURES DURING work:
• The entry supervisor (ES)
continuously monitor the works
being done
• Direct measurement of the
oxygen/gas content in the
vessel/confined space
• Continuously suck out dust that is
generated from works
PLANNING AND SAFETY
MEASURES DURING works:
• Ensure a good communication system
between stand-by person (SP) and
authorised entrant (AE)
• Ensure sufficient and continuous
ventilation
• Immediately take the necessary
emergency responses in cases of
accidents/emergency situations
(explosion, fire, air pollution etc)
PLANNING AND SAFETY
MEASURES AFTER completion of works:
• Ensure and record that all workers
have exited the confined space
• Inspect the work area to ensure
that all work equipment have
been removed (mobile exhaust
system, lights, fire extinguishers etc)
• Stop the electricity supply
PLANNING AND SAFETY
MEASURES AFTER completion of work:
• Cancel/close the work permit issued by
the entry supervisor (ES) on duty
• Report problems, if any, related to the
works carried out
• Handover the responsibility of handling
the confined space to the respective
persons and record the handover details
CONCLUSION
• Confined space is a small area with limited entry
and exit routes
• Confined space works involve various hazards
that may cause accidents
• There are various statutory provisions related to
confined space safety in the FMA 1967, ICOP
2010 and OSHA 1994
• Accidents can be prevented through proper
planning and implementation, as well as
prevention measure before, during and after
works.

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Confined Space

Safety and Health Officer

2. List at least 4 activities involving

3. List at least 4 hazards associated

5. Prepare a safety plan for works

6. State the statutory requirements

• Clearing and cleaning works

– Oxygen content is more than 23.5%

• Identify confined spaces at the

16. Ensure the safety of entrance and

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