Safety Requirements for Welding job at
Confined Spaces
Alireza Hemmati, Ali Rostami, Sadegh Farhangian
 are. Welding and cutting processes are safe, and the risks from
Abstract—working at confined space is one of the most dangerous
of all workplace hazards especially when it accompanies with another
dangerous work like welding. Electrical shock, oxygen deficiency,
under pressure cylinders, explosion and fire are most potential dangers
of welding job at confined space. Gas testing at confined space before
starting job and also using suitable personal protective equipment and
welding safety requirement can help reduce dangers of welding at
confined space.
Keywords—Gas testing, Hazards, Safety, Welding.
I. INTRODUCTION
Working at confined space is potentially one of the most
dangerous of all workplace hazards. It’s been calculated that
working in a confined space is 150 times more dangerous than
doing the same job outside. Over the years, many workers, in a
range of occupations, have lost their lives or suffered serious
harm while working in tanks, vats, sumps, sewers, pits, traps
and other types of confined space. To effectively control the
risks associated with working in a confined space, a confined
Space hazard assessment and control program shall be
implemented for your workplace. Before putting together this
program, make sure to review the specific regulations that apply
to your workplace. All jurisdictions within Canada have
regulations dealing with confined space entry. The regulations
can vary slightly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction [1]. Also,
there are many different types of potential hazards in welding
jobs. Everyone involved shall be aware of what these hazards
T. C. Author is with the Natural Resources and Environment Engineering
Department, Islamic Azad University of Abadeh, Fars, Iran, (e-mail:
Alirezahemmati02@gmail.com).
the hazards can be reduced, if they are carried out correctly and
with care.
In this paper the concept of confined space and its hazards will
be discussed at first. Next, the hazards of welding job in
confined spaces and safety requirements to decrease these
hazards will be expressed.
II. CONCEPT OF CONFINED SPACE
A confined space is:
 A space that is large enough and so configured that an
employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work;
 Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit (for
example a tank or pit);
 Is not designated for continuous employee occupancy.
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 [2]. Examples
of confined spaces include silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults,
tanks, sewers, pipes, access shafts, truck or rail tank cars,
aircraft wings, boilers, manholes, manure pits and storage bins.
Ditches and trenches may also be a confined space when access
or egress is limited (Figure1).
 confined space ignites, an explosion may occur, resulting in the
expulsion of hot gases and the disintegration of the structure.
 Flowing liquid or free flowing solids
Liquids or solids can flow into the confined space causing
drowning, suffocation, burns and other injuries. Solids in
powder form may also be disturbed in a confined space
resulting in an asphyxiating atmosphere.
 Excessive heat
The enclosed nature of a confined space can increase the risk of
heat stroke or collapse from heat stress, if conditions are
excessively hot. The risk may be exacerbated by the wearing of
personal protective equipment or by lack of ventilation.

Fig1. Examples of confined spaces

IV. HAZARDS OF WELDING JOB
The most common welding hazards are:
III. HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACES
The hazards associated confined spaces include:  Electric shock

 Toxic atmosphere Electric shock is one of the most serious and immediate risks

A toxic atmosphere may cause various acute effects, including facing a welder. Electric shock can lead to severe injury or

impairment of judgement, unconsciousness and death. death, either from the shock itself or from a fall caused by the

 Oxygen deficiency reaction to a shock.

Oxygen can be lacking a confined space for the following  Fumes and gases

reasons: It’s no surprise that overexposure to welding fumes and gases

Displacement of air by another gas can be hazardous to your health. Welding fume contains

Various biological processes or chemical reactions potentially harmful complex metal oxide compounds from

 Oxygen enrichment. consumables, base metal and the base-metal coatings.

An excess of oxygen, in the presence of combustible materials,  Fire and explosions

results in an increased risk of fire and explosion. Some The welding arc creates extreme temperatures, and may pose a

materials, which do not burn in air, may burn vigorously or significant fire and explosions hazard if safe practices are not

even spontaneously in an enriched oxygen atmosphere. followed. While the welding arc may reach temperatures of

 Flammable or explosive atmospheres 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the real danger is not from the arc

A flammable atmosphere presents a risk of fire or explosion. itself, but rather the intense near the arc and the heat, sparks and

Such an atmosphere can arise from the presence in the confined spatter created by the arc. This spatter can reach up to 35 feet

space of flammable liquids or gases or of a suspension of away from the welding space.

combustible dust in air. If a flammable atmosphere inside a  Compressed gases

Gas welding and flame cutting use a fuel gas and oxygen to  Warning labels shall be used around the confined space
produce heat for welding. For high-pressure gas welding, both to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons as shown
the oxygen and the fuel gas (acetylene, hydrogen, propane, etc.) in Figure2.
supplied to the torch are stored in cylinders at high pressure.
The use of compressed-gas cylinders poses some unique
hazards to the welder.
 Injuries from insufficient PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) helps keep welding
operators free from injury, such as burns – the most common
welding injury – and exposure to arc rays. The right PPE allows
for freedom of movement while still providing adequate
protection from welding hazards [3].

V. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THAT SHALL BE TAKEN FOR WELDING

JOB IN CONFINED SPACES

 Permit to work shall be prepared and signed and must Fig2.Warning label and tag for confined space

be at workplace.
 Attendance of contactors safety officer is required
 Main permit is: welding job in confined space,
during the work.
complementary permits including: process/ mechanical
 First aid equipment must be available at all times.
isolation, entry to confined space, electrical isolation
(if needed).  Electrical cables shall be inspected for wear and damage
and cables in need of repair shall not be used.
 Anti-spark tools shall be used for all bolt tightening jobs
in operation area. (Including spade & de spade, open  Periodic inspections of the generators shall make by

manway, eth.) qualified maintenance personnel, and must be recorded

of the inspections maintained.
 All lines to a confined space containing inert, toxic,
flammable, or corrosive materials shall be valved-off  Generators shall have an anti-static earth.

and blanked or disconnected and separated before  The confined space shall be checked continuously for

entry. possible air contaminants, oxygen content, flammable

 Impellers, agitators, or other moving equipment inside gases and vapors and potential toxic contaminants

confined spaces required to be locked out before entry. before and during the work as shown in Figure 3.

 The confined space shall be purged with an inert gas if  If the confined space cannot be made safe for the

needed. worker by taking precautions, then workers shall not

enter the confined space until it is made safe to enter
 No welding, cutting, or other hot naked flame work
by additional means.
shall be performed on confined space.

Fig3. Gas testing before confined space entry
 Confined space shall be emptied of any corrosive,
hazardous or decaying substance that may produce a
hazardous atmosphere.
 Natural or mechanical ventilation shall be provided
before anyone enters the confined space.
 Necessary lighting equipment (Explosive Proof) shall be
provided.
 All workers who may enter to confined space shall be
trained on rescue procedures, personal protective
equipment, use of safety equipment, and proper
procedures for entering and exiting a confined space
and the hazards of confined spaces shall be clearly
explained to employees.
 Before beginning a welding job, it is important to
identify the hazards for that particular welding
operation. The hazards will depend on the type of
welding and the environmental conditions.
 A trained standby people must be stationed outside of
the confined space and equipped with appropriate gear
(including a fire extinguisher, personal protective
equipment and radio), to assist or rescue the worker
inside the confined space if necessary. If the standby
person notices any indications of intoxication or
decreased alertness from the inside worker, the inside
worker shall be removed from the area immediately.
 Suitable fire extinguishing equipment must be
maintained and ready for instant use.
 The worker inside the confined space shall be equipped
with suitable PPE including fire-resistant gauntlet
gloves, head cap, high-top, hard-toed shoes, leather
apron, face shield, flame-retardant coveralls, safety
glasses, helmets and leggings or high boots, ear plugs
or ear muffs, safety harness, a lifeline, appropriate
personal protective clothing, self-contained breathing
apparatus (if needed).
 Welding helmets, goggles, or other eye protectors must
contain special filter plates or lenses for workers
exposed to arc welding.
 Protective clothing shall be made of wool, which does
not ignite easily, or specially-treated cotton fabrics
 Shielding (barriers) shall be used to protect other
people in the work area from the light of the welding
arc, heat, and hot spatter.
 All cylinders shall have caps or regulators.
 Gas cylinders and welding power sources shall be
located in a secure position outside of the confined
space.
 in regulators and hose lines shall be released before
cylinders are moved or placed in storage.

REFERENCES
[1] BP International Ltd. Confined Space Entry, Institution of Chemical
Engineers 2005 ISBN 978 0 85295 479 9 pp. 1-14.
[2] "Permit-Required Confined Space Entry". Occupational Health & Safety
Administration. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
[3] "NIOSH – Confined Spaces". United States National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 2007-10-14.

Fig4. Suitable PPE for welding job in confined spaces

 Compressed gas cylinders, all pressure relief valves and

all lines shall be checked before and during welding
operations.
 Hoses and fittings shall be kept in good condition and
checked regularly. Hoses showing leaks, burns, worn
places, or other defects must be repaired or replaced.
 Cylinders must be stored upright so that they will not
fall over.
 Oxygen and fuel cylinders must be stored separately,
away from heat and sunlight, and only in a dry, well-
ventilated, fire-resistant area that is at least 20 feet
away from flammable materials such as paint, oil, or
solvents.
 Fire blanket shall be used by welder during the welding
job.
 Electrode holders must be placed so that they cannot
make electrical contact with persons, conducting
objects, fuel, or compressed gas tanks.
 Be aware of backfires and flashbacks. These are danger
signals and shall prompt immediate corrective action.
 Cylinder valves shall be closed when work is finished.
Valve protection caps must put in place and pressure