MacPhail School

of Energy

Confined Space Entry

MacPhail School of
Lesson Outline
Energy

This lesson will cover:

• Restricted vs Confined spaces
• Confined space hazards
• Managing hazardous atmospheres
• Documentation for confined space entry
• Legal requirements


 MacPhail School of
Energy
Confined Spaces


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Examples
Energy

• Bins • Sewers
• Tanks • Vaults
• Trenches • Pipelines
• Tunnels • Pits
• Silos • Vessels


MacPhail School of
Lesson Outline
Energy

This lesson will cover:

• Restricted vs Confined spaces
• Confined space hazards
• Managing hazardous atmospheres
• Documentation for confined space entry
• Legal requirements
MacPhail School of
Restricted vs Confined
Energy

• Restricted = Enclosed or partially

enclosed, with restricted means of entry
or exit

• Main hazards:
– Do others know you’re in there?
– Hard to extract people if injured
– May BECOME a confined space, if
conditions change


MacPhail School of
Restricted vs Confined
Energy

• Confined = Restricted with no natural

ventilation

• Main hazards:
– Fumes and gases can’t easily escape
– Potential for hazardous atmosphere
– Difficult to escape


 MacPhail School of
Energy


MacPhail School of
Permit-Required Confined Spaces
Energy

Permit Required if there is risk from…

– Hazardous atmosphere
– Potential for engulfing/submerging
– Risk of trapping or asphyxiation
– Electrical
– Any other serious hazard


MacPhail School of
Lesson Outline
Energy

This lesson will cover:

• Restricted vs Confined spaces
• Confined space hazards
• Managing hazardous atmospheres
• Documentation for confined space entry
• Legal requirements
MacPhail School of
Restricted Space Hazards
Energy

• Escape is difficult
• Improper lighting = hard to see
• Environment or work performed may create
hazards
• Other workers may not be aware of your
presence (especially if the space is not usually
occupied)


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Hazards
Energy

• Lack of ventilation
• Low oxygen levels (<19.5%)
• Toxic, explosive, or flammable gas
• Harmful substances or organisms
• Other risks from mechanical or electrical
equipment


 Dangers of Confined Spaces
MacPhail School of
Energy Fire in a Tunnel at Hydroelectric Power Plant


 Dangers of Confined Spaces
MacPhail School of
Energy Low Oxygen in a Small Shed


 MacPhail School of
Energy
Risk of Submersion


 Dangers of Confined Spaces
MacPhail School of
Energy Worker Pulled into the Ground by Quicksand Condition


MacPhail School of
Lesson Outline
Energy

This lesson will cover:

• Restricted vs Confined spaces
• Confined space hazards
• Managing hazardous atmospheres
• Documentation for confined space entry
• Legal requirements
 MacPhail School of
Energy
Atmospheric Testing


MacPhail School of
Atmospheric Testing
Energy

• Test atmosphere before entering

• Continue to test atmosphere during work
• Ensure proper calibration
– Retest sensor immediately prior to entry
• Gases may be heavier than air
– Test at various elevations
• Disturbing muck may release gas


MacPhail School of
Managing Hazardous Atmosphere
Energy

• Ventilation
– Positive airflow controls concentration
• Purging
– Use another agent (e.g. steam + heat) to forcefully
remove hazardous gases
• Inerting
– Inert gas (e.g. nitrogen) floods confined space to
prevent ignition


MacPhail School of
Lesson Outline
Energy

This lesson will cover:

• Restricted vs Confined spaces
• Confined space hazards
• Managing hazardous atmospheres
• Documentation for confined space entry
• Legal requirements
MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

MacPhail School of
Planning and Procedures
Energy

Use a Confined Space Entry Form:

• LO/TO procedure is established
• Means for measuring oxygen
• Structural stability risks?
• Presence of other gases?
• Tolerable temperature?
• Any additional requirements on permit?


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
MacPhail School of
Entry Permit System
Energy

• Only valid for one shift

• Indicates:
– Authorized entrants
– Rescue workers
– Tending worker
• Issued by a competent/authorized worker
• Signed by all involved


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
3. Training
MacPhail School of
Training
Energy

• Trained to recognize hazards

• Know controls in place
• Know how to work safely

• Rescue teams require additional training


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
3. Training
4. Tending worker
MacPhail School of
Tending Worker
Energy

• Trained worker stands near entrance and

keeps watch and maintains
communication with worker(s) inside

• Tending worker NEVER enters confined

space

• Must not leave area until all workers

have left confined space, or they are
relieved by another tending worker


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
3. Training
4. Tending worker
5. Safety, PPE, Emergency Equipment
MacPhail School of
Safety, PPE, Emergency Equipment
Energy

• Rescue plan established

• PPE and safety equipment present

• Keep records on-file of PPE inspections and

use of emergency equipment


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
3. Training
4. Tending worker
5. Safety, PPE, Emergency Equipment
6. LO/TO of Hazardous Energy
 Protection against Hazardous
MacPhail School of
Energy Substances and Energy
Follow Lock Out / Tag Out procedures defined
by employer
• Pneumatic, electrical, thermal, kinetic…
• Hydraulic, chemical releases…


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
3. Training
4. Tending worker
5. Safety, PPE, Emergency Equipment
6. LO/TO of Hazardous Energy
7. Entry and Exit
MacPhail School of
Entry and Exit
Energy

• Ensure one or more safe means of entry and

exit are available
• Also consider rescue requirements,
challenges


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
3. Training
4. Tending worker
5. Safety, PPE, Emergency Equipment
6. LO/TO of Hazardous Energy
7. Entry and Exit
8. Prevent unauthorized entry/traffic
 Prevent Unauthorized Entry/Traffic
MacPhail School of
Energy Protect Bystanders
Ensure no-one without permit and training
enters confined space
• Control traffic in area
• Fence-off ground-access manholes


MacPhail School of
Confined Space Considerations
Energy

1. Planning and procedures

2. Entry Permit System
3. Training
4. Tending worker
5. Safety, PPE, Emergency Equipment
6. LO/TO of Hazardous Energy
7. Entry and Exit
8. Prevent unauthorized entry/traffic
9. Emergency Response
10. Retaining Records

MacPhail School of
Record Keeping
Energy

• Record all controlled space entries

– Keep training records
– Keep emergency plans
• Keep for…
– 1 year if no incident occurred
– 2 years if incident occurred


MacPhail School of
Lesson Outline
Energy

This lesson will cover:

• Restricted vs Confined spaces
• Confined space hazards
• Managing hazardous atmospheres
• Documentation for confined space entry
• Legal requirements
MacPhail School of
Legal Requirements
Energy

OHS Code Explanation Guide, Section 5

End