MEM603 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH

3.3 Safe Working In A Confined Space

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 Confined space
What?
A place which is substantially
enclosed (though not always
entirely), and where serious
injury can occur from
hazardous substances or
conditions within the space or
nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen)

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 Confined space
• Confined Spaces come in all
shapes and sizes!

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Confined space
Confined space
Confined space
Confined space
What is wrong?
What is wrong?
What is wrong?
What is wrong?
 Confined space fatal accidents

– 35% Supervisor or Higher

– 64% Did not need to enter
– 66% Water / Wastewater / Sewer / Construction
– 78% Oxygen deficient or IDLH toxic
– 95% No confined space training
– 100% No (or inadequate) powered ventilation
– 100% No instrument at site (to measure hazardous
atmosphere)

*IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health 13

 Major points

– Written plan of action for rescue is required.

– Ventilation is necessary if there is the potential for

atmosphere to move out of the acceptable range.

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 Definition by ANSI

A confined space is one that meets all 3 criteria listed

below:

1.Space large enough to enter and

2.Limited or restricted entry or exit and
3.Not designed for continuous occupancy

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 Categorizing work spaces

• Requires a Permit if there exist any of the following:

– Hazardous atmosphere
– Engulfment hazard
– Configuration hazard
– Any recognized serious hazard

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 Categorizing work spaces

SPACE LARGE ENOUGH TO ENTER AND; NO NOT A

LIMITED OR RESTRICTED ENTRY OR EXIT; CONFINED
NOT DESIGNED FOR CONTINUOUS OCCUPANCY SPACE

YES
CONFINED SPACE

PERMIT HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE NON

OR
REQUIRED PERMIT
ENGULFMENT HAZARD
OR
CONFINED YES NO CONFINED
CONFIGURATION HAZARD?
OR
SPACE SPACE
ANY OTHER RECOGNIZED
SERIOUS HAZARD

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 Categorizing work spaces

• Confined space
– Restricted means of entry/exit
– Large enough for employee to enter & work
– Not designed for continuous occupancy

• Permit required confined space

– Potential for hazardous atmosphere
– Potential of material engulfing worker
– Configuration that may trap worker
– Contains other recognized hazards

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 Permit required confined space program

• Hazardous Atmospheres • Other Hazards

– Oxygen-deficient
atmosphere
– Oxygen-enriched
atmosphere
– Flammable atmosphere
– Toxic gases and vapors
–Engulfment
–Falling Objects
–Temperature Extremes
–Falls/ Slick/ Wet surfaces
–Toxic/ Corrosive chemicals
–Moving parts/ Equipment
 Hazardous atmosphere
One slip and you’re gone!

• Too much Oxygen over 23.5%

• Too little Oxygen under 19.5%
• Flammable atmosphere 10%LEL
• Carbon Monoxide 35ppm

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 Oxygen-deficiency
O2 Content Effects and Symptoms (at patm)
15-19% Decreased ability to work strenuously. May impair coordination
and induce early symptoms in persons with coronory,
pulmonary, or circulatory problems.

12-14% Respiration increases in exertion, pulse up, impaired

coordination, perception, and judgment.
10-12% Respiration further increases in rate and depth, poor judgment,
lips blue.
8-10% Mental failure, fainting, unconsciousness, ashen face, blueness
of lips, nausea, and vomiting.
6-8% 8 min., 100% fatal; 6 min., 50% fatal; 4-5 min., recovery with
treatment.
4-6% Coma in 40 sec., convulsions, respiration ceases, death.

NOTE: Exposure to atmospheres containing 12% or less oxygen will bring about
unconsciousness without warning and so quickly that individuals cannot help or protect
themselves.
(Source: Compressed Gas Association Bulletin SB-2)
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 Carbon dioxide (CO2)

• Colorless, odorless noncombustible gas

• Heavier than air, tends to sink into confined spaces
• By-product of:
– Carbonation
– Inerting
– Organic decay
• grain elevators, sewers, storage bins, wells
– Fermentation
• digesters, molasses pits, beer and wine vats

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 Carbon monoxide (CO)

• Colorless, odorless gas

• Slightly lighter than air
• Chemical asphyxiant
• Primary source: incomplete combustion of organic
material
• Gasoline-fueled combustion engines

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 Concentration of CO and symptoms

Percent ppm Effects

0.02 200 Possibly headache, mild frontal in 2-3 hrs.
0.04 400 Headache, frontal, and nausea after 1-2 hrs.; occipital after 2-1/2
to 3-1/2 hrs.
0.08 800 Headache, dizziness and nausea in 3/4 hour, collapse and
possibly unconsciousness in 2 hrs.
0.16 1,600 Headache, dizziness and nausea in 20 min.; collapse,
unconsciousness, possibly death in 2 hr.
0.32 3,200 Headache and dizziness in 5 to 10 min., unconsciousness and
danger of death in 30 min.
0.64 6,400 Headache and dizziness in 1 to2 min., unconsciousness and
danger of death in 10 to 15 min.
1.28 12,800 Immediate effect; unconsciousness and danger of death in 1 to 3
min.
(Source: Hamilton & Hardy)

*One ppm is equivalent to 1 milligram of something per liter of water (mg/l) or 1

milligram of something per kilogram soil (mg/kg). 24
 Symptoms of CO exposure

Percent* Symptoms
0-10 Shortness of breath on exertion
10-20 Tightness across forehead, slight headache
20-30 Throbbing headache
30-40 Severe headache, nausea, vomiting, collapse on exertion
40-50 All symptoms increased, pulse rate and breathing
increased
50-70 Coma, interrupted breathing (Cheyne-Stokes), death

* Percent saturation of Hemoglobin with CO [Blood Levels]

(Adapted from Dubois and Geiling)

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 Physical hazards

Employers must also consider physical hazards in

confined spaces
• Thermal effects (heat and cold)
• Moving machine parts
• Noise
• Vibration
• Radiation
• Fatigue while working in a confined space

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 Reclassification of a permit confined space

By removing the
hazard, it is possible to
reclassify a permit
space as a non-permit
required space

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 Employer requirements
• Evaluate workplace
• Inform employees of
– existence, location, & danger
• If employees enter:
– Develop written program
– Train and educate employees

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Confined space entry

• Air Testing Monitor

• Full Body Harness
• Communication Equipment
• Protective Eyewear
• Protective Helmet
• Protective Boots
Confined space entry
 Confined space entry

• Entry into Permit Required

Spaces takes teamwork!

• Supervisor, Entrant and

Attendant depend on each
other.

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 Entry duties supervisor

• Know space hazards & consequences

• Verify emergency plans, test procedures, and proper
equipment
• Terminate/cancel permits (upon completion or
change
• Remove unauthorized personnel
• Ensure operation remains consistent with entry
permit and conditions

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 Entry duties authorized entrant

• Know space hazards and consequences

• Use appropriate PPE
• Maintain communication with attendant
• Exit ASAP on order or when hazard is observed
• Alert attendant when prohibited condition exists or
symptoms of exposure

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 Entry duties authorized attendant

• Perform no other duties that interfere

• Know existing & potential hazards
• Summon rescue & emergency service
• Keep unauthorized personnel out
• Order evacuation as necessary
• Maintain communication
• Remain outside space

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 Written permits

• Valid for a specified amount of time

• Lists equipment for safe entry
• Lists atmospheric testing results
• Specifies rescue team provisions
• Signed by the site supervisor
• Identifies by name:
– The supervisor
– Attendant
– Entrant

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 Permit system

• Permit signed by supervisor

• Entry permits include:
– Test results & tester initials or signature
– Supervisor name & signature
– Name of space and personnel (by duty)
– Purpose & control measures in place
– Name & number of rescue/emergency service
– Acceptable entry conditions
– Special equipment & communication procedures

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 Written program

• Identify and evaluate space

• Test conditions in space and monitor
• Perform testing for atmospheric hazards
• Prevention of unauthorized entry
• Establish/implement procedures & practices
• Identify employee duties
• Provide, maintain, & require PPE
• One attendant minimum
• Procedures for calling rescue & emergency service

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Confined space entry

GAS DETECTOR
•Oxygen content
•Flammability
•Explosion potential
•Carbon monoxide
•Hydrogen sulfide

Critical issues -
•Training
•Procedures
•Calibration

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 Confined space entry

• Draw samples without entering the space!

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 Confined space entry

• Normal Readings

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 Confined space entry
Bad Reading!! Evil Reading!!
Oxygen level too low!!
Alarm is going off!!

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 Role of entrant
• Authorized to enter
• Be aware of prohibited conditions
• Use Personal Protective Equipment
• Evacuate immediately on order of attendant
• Begin self rescue in hazards
• Be alert to exposure

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 Role of attendant

• Must be stationed outside to monitor

• Special training to recognize hazards
• Maintain effective contact with entrant
• You are the entrant’s eyes and ears
• Order evacuation in hazardous situation

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 Communication
• Entrant and attendant must maintain contact
• Have backup communication system
• Methods
– Simple voice
– Radios
– Telephone
– “Tug Signals” on the cable

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 Self-rescue

• At first sign or trouble notify attendant and begin

evacuation
• Attendant notifies other workers to evacuate
• Rescue team notified if necessary

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 Confined space entry

• At times a simple fan will

ventilate the permit
required confined space
enough to eliminate the
hazard

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Confined space entry

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 Non-entry rescue

• Entrant wears a harness

• Cable attached to the harness
• Use a hand crank!
• Wristlets may be used

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Retrieval systems

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Retrieval systems

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 Emergencies
• Employer responsibilities:
– Rescuers provided with required PPE
– Trained to perform rescue duties
– Rescuers have authorized entrant’s training
– Practice rescue exercises completed yearly
• Full body harness and mechanical device

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 Emergencies

Confined Space Rescue

teams must practice
annually at each confined
space they may provide
rescue from.

The employer must verify

that the rescue team can
perform rescue missions!

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 Training and education

• Knowledge & skills for safe performance

• Additional training when
– Job duties change
– Change in program
– New hazard identified
– Employee’s job performance is deficient
• Emergency training (CPR and first aid)
• Certificate of training issued

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Relevant Act, Industry Code, Regulation and
Guideline

1.0 Guidelines on
Occupational Safety
and Health in Tunnel
Construction, 1998
Relevant Act, Industry Code, Regulation and
Guideline
Relevant Act, Industry Code, Regulation and
Guideline
Relevant Act, Industry Code, Regulation and
Guideline
Relevant Act, Industry Code, Regulation and
Guideline