Confined Spaces

‫المناطق المحصورة‬
➢Confined spaces:
1.) Are large enough for a person to enter ‫تكفي لدخول شخص واحد‬
2.) Have limited means of entry and exit
‫المداخل والمخارج محددة ومعدودة‬
3.) Are not designed for people to work in

‫غير مصممة لنعمل فيها طويلا‬

 ‫‪CONFINED SPACE ENTRY‬‬
‫الدخول الى المناطق المحصورة( أو‬
‫الضيقة)‬
‫تحت إشراف م ‪ /‬محمد وهبه‬
‫مدير السلمه والصحه المهنيه والبيئه‬
Is this a Confined Space? ‫هل هذا مكان مغلق؟‬
Yes, this is a confined space. This space is large enough to and so configured that an employee
can bodily enter it and perform assigned work, has limited or restricted means for entry or exit
and is not designed for continuous occupancy.

‫ هذه المساحة كبيرة بما يكفي لتكوينها بحيث يمكن للموظف دخولها جسديًا‬.‫ هذه مساحة ضيقة‬، ‫نعم‬
.‫ ولها وسائل محدودة أو مقيدة للدخول أو الخروج وغير مصممة لإلشغال المستمر‬، ‫وأداء العمل المعين‬

This is a oil/water separator with a limited means of entry/egress when being cleaned, is not
designed for continuous human occupancy and is large enough that an employee can enter it for
cleaning/maintenance.

‫ وهو غير مصمم لإلشغال‬، ‫ خروج محدودة عند التنظيف‬/ ‫ الماء بوسائل دخول‬/ ‫هذا فاصل الزيت‬
.‫ الصيانة‬/ ‫البشري المستمر وهو كبير بما يكفي بحيث يمكن للموظف إدخاله للتنظيف‬
What employee actions result in a ‫ما هي إجراءات الموظف التي تؤدي إلى‬
confined space fatality? ‫وفاة في مكان مغلق؟‬
They Don’t Know They
‫ال يعرفون أنهم في‬ They Rely on Their ‫يعتمدون على حواسهم‬
Are in a Confined
.‫مكان ضيق‬ Senses and Skill. .‫ومهاراتهم‬
Space.

They Stop Checking ‫توقفوا عن البحث عن‬ They Forget How Fast ‫لقد نسوا سرعة قانون‬
for Hazards. .‫المخاطر‬ Hazards Act. .‫األخطار‬

They Attempt Rescue ‫يحاولون اإلنقاذ دون‬

They Work Alone. .‫يعملون بمفردهم‬
Unprotected. .‫حماية‬
OSHA Statistic

More than half of all

fatalities in Confined
Spaces are would-be
rescuers.
‫أكثر من نصف جميع الوفيات‬
‫في األماكن الضيقة هم رجال‬
.‫إنقاذ محتملين‬
Examples of Confined Spaces
• Tanks • Vaults
• Manholes • Pipes
• Boilers • Trenches
• Furnaces • Tunnels
• Sewers • Ducts
• Silos • Bins
• Hoppers • Pits
Potential Hazards in Confined Spaces
• Oxygen Deficiency • Toxic Materials
• <19.5% or >23.5% oxygen • Carbon Monoxide
concentration • Hydrogen Sulfide
• Combustibles • Welding fumes
• Methane • Corrosives
• Hydrogen • Electricity
• Acetylene
• Mechanical Hazards
• Propane
• Mixers
• Gasoline fumes
• Crushers
Confined Space Entry
Before entering a confined space…
• Review the confined space assessment with the authorized site person to determine if the
confined space meets the requirements of a Permit Required Confined Space
• Undertake Confined Space Training.
• Know the hazards, signs, symptoms and consequences of any exposure.
• Properly use equipment/PPE as required.
• Comply with any permit requirements.
• Visually examine the area and re-evaluate if conditions have changed.
Be prepared to:
• Maintain communication with the attendant.
• Evacuate as instructed, on signs/symptoms of hazard(s) or change of conditions.
Atmospheric Hazards of Permit Required Confined Spaces:
• Too much or too little oxygen
• Flammable or Explosive
• Poisonous or Toxic

Permit Required Confined Spaces can contain one or more of these hazardous
atmospheric conditions.
What hazard(s) are present in a
Permit Required Confined Space?
Understanding of PPE and other
safety equipment.
Has, or has Contains a Has Contains
the flowable inwardly any
potential to material converging recognized Any of the
contain a that could walls that safety of above
hazardous engulf an could trap health Specific confined space
atmosphere entrant an entrant hazards
hazards discussion.

Permits and other procedural

requirements to be explained0

Hazard Explanation
Training for Confined Space
Confined
When must Confined Space
training be completed? Entrant Space
Supervisor
Before an employee
works in a confined
space

When an employee’s job

Attendant Rescuers
Who must be trained to
duties change understand the Confined
Space Permits and other
procedural requirements
before entering a Permit
Required Confined Space?
When there is a change
that presents a new
hazard

All of the above Attendant, Entrant and Entry Supervisor

 Responsibilities
Entry Supervisor
• Knows the hazards of the space.
• Verifies permit requirements and signage.
• Terminates the permit and cancels entry as
required.
Roles • Manages rescue team availability.
• Prohibits unauthorized entry.
• Ensures entry operations are consistent with
permit requirements.
• Know the duties of the permit space entry
team.
• Understand conditions that prevent entry.
• Understand emergency equipment.
Training • Know how to respond to emergencies.
• Recognize symptoms of exposure.
• Other training as needed (LOTO, Electrical
Safety, Fall Protection, etc.).
Entrant
• Knows the hazards of the space.
• Uses required equipment.
• Communicates with attendant as required.
• Alerts attendant when there is a recognition of
toxic exposure, a dangerous situation or a
Roles prohibited condition.
• Exits from the space when:
• Ordered to evacuate.
• Recognition of toxic exposure, a dangerous
situation or a prohibited condition.
• An alarm is activated.
• Hands-on demonstration of Entry Permitting
process and equipment.
• Self-rescue techniques.
Training • Method for alerting attendants in emergency.
• Recognize symptoms of exposure.
• Other training as needed (LOTO, Electrical
Safety, Fall Protection, etc.).
 Attendant Rescuers
• Knows the hazards of the space.
• Is aware of behavioral effects of hazardous
exposure in entrants.
• Maintains an accurate headcount of
entrants.
Roles • Remains outside of the space until relieved
by another qualified attendant.
• Communicates with entrants as required.
• Monitors activities inside and outside the
space to determine risk to entrant in space.
• Utilize equipment used for communicating
with entry and emergency/rescue personnel.
• Summon rescue or other emergency
services.
Training • Non-Entry Rescue Procedures.
• Recognize symptoms of exposure.
• Other training as needed (LOTO, Electrical
Safety, Fall Protection, etc.). Training
• Responds to a rescue summons
in a timely manner.
• Functions appropriately while
rescuing entrants from
identified hazardous space.
• Reaches victim(s) within a time
Roles frame appropriate for hazard(s)
identified.
• Is equipped for and proficient in
performing the needed rescue
services.
• Facilitates non-entry rescue
• Rescue duties.
• Entrant duties.
• First aid and CPR.
• Hands-on annual training.
Entry Permit
Before entering a confined space a risk assessment must be completed as a stand along document or as part of the Entry Permit.
• The Entry Permit helps to conduct a systematic evaluation of the space and establishes safe conditions for entry. The Entry Supervisor completes the Entry Permit prior to entry into
the space.
• The risk assessment may be completed as a stand alone document or as part of the Entry Permit.
The duration of the Entry Permit may not exceed the time required to complete the task or job and may not exceed one shift (e.g. 8 hrs.)
The permit must contain -
• Identification of the space
• Purpose of entry
• Date and duration of entry
• List of authorized entrants
• List of attendants
Additional permits as required
• Name and signature of entry supervisor Some other requirements –
• Hazards of the space Only the approved task(s) on the permit may be performed
Permit must be posted at or near the space
• Methods used to eliminate hazards
Cancelled permits must be retained for at least 6 months
• Acceptable entry conditions
• Results of atmospheric testing Renewing an entry permit requires –
• atmospheric testing must be completed,
• Identification of rescue services and how to contact them
• all test must be within acceptable limits, and
• Communication procedures • the Entry Supervisor must verify that all permit elements are still in
• Equipment/PPE required for entry place and effective
 Strength of
Hazard Controls Control

Guarding
Engineering Controls

Hazard Controls Ventilation Systems

Cleaning

Decontaminating
Work Practices
(Administrative) Controls
Rotating Workers
Personal Protective
Equipment
LOTO
Confined Space Entry Requirements
Equipment may include:
• PPE
• Ventilation equipment
• Communication equipment
• Lighting
• Entry/Egress equipment
• Non-entry rescue equipment
 Why Test?
Is the air in a confined space safe to breathe?
Atmospheric Hazards
Invisible and cannot be detected
Atmospheric testing is required: Initial Testing is Sequential:

• Prior to entry into any permit space.

• To verify that acceptable conditions exist for entry into 1. Oxygen Levels
the space.

Internal atmosphere must be tested with a 2. Combustible Gases

calibrated, direct reading instrument for:
• Oxygen
• Combustible Gases and Vapors 3. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Carbon Monoxide
• Toxic Gases or Vapors
4. Toxic Gases and Vapors
Hazardous Sources:
• Storage or creation of products.
• Residues of products.
• Residual purge gases.
• Work being performed.
• Activities adjacent to the confined space.
• Chemical reactions.

NOTE: Equipment Calibration checks –

• Fresh Air Check (Oxygen)
• Zero Check (CO, LEL, etc.)
• Span Check (LEL, VOCs, CO)
• Bump test (field calibration)
• Performed immediately prior to use.
 Some causes of oxygen deficiency:
Oxygen Level • A combustion source (welding)
• A biological source (sewers)
• Displacement (purging/inerting)
% Oxygen Air • Chemical reactions (rusting)

> 23.5% Oxygen Enriched

~ 20.9% Normal Air
19.5% > Oxygen Deficient
Loss of Peripheral Vision, Accelerated
16.0 – 12.0% Heart Rate

12.0 – 10.0% Faulty Judgment, Poor Coordination

10.0 – 6.0% Nausea, Unconsciousness

Spasmodic Breathing, Convulsion,

6.0% or less Death Minutes
Combustible/Flammable/Explosive
Acceptable
Less than 10% of the LFL
Flammable Range
Explosion Pressure

Gasoline UFL = 7.6%

Lower Flammable (Explosive)
Limit LFL
Vapor/Gas Concentration in Air (%)
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Toxic Vapors and Gases
Exposure limits can be found on the Material Safety Data Sheets.
These limits are established to protect against the hazards of short
and long term exposures. The absence of an exposure limit does
not necessarily mean the material does not pose any health
hazards.

Prompt a discussion about the dangerous effects of Benzene that won’t

necessarily be found on a MSDS.

Example of Benzene – LFL vs. Toxic

• 1% LEL = 10,000 PPM
• 1% LEL of Gasoline = 10,000 PPM Gasoline
o Benzene is typically 1% of Gasoline = 100 PPM Benzene
CO is below 25 PPM. • The US PEL for Gasoline is 1 PPM (5 PPM STEL)

Airborne dust does not obscure vision.

Toxic contaminants do not exceed occupational exposure limits.
Rescue and Emergency Services
Response time required for confined space rescue teams is based upon on the type and severity of hazards present inside the
confined space. The response time for rescue services falls into one of three categories:
• Rescue Available
• Rescue Ready
• Rescue Standby

Rescue Available
Rescue Available response time may be used for permit required confined spaces which all serious hazards have been eliminated or mitigated.
Rescue Ready
• Required for all confined space entries that expose the entrants to
serious hazards such as toxic chemicals, falls, electrical shock,
amputation or similar. Rescue personnel shall be able to respond to the
entry of the permit required confined spaces within 4-minutes of being
summoned.

Rescue Standby
• Rescue Standby response time is required for all confined space entries
where IDLH (Immediate Dangerous to Life or Health) hazards exist or
potentially exist.

Rescue Teams
Offsite:
• Made aware of hazards
• Given opportunity to practice
• Annual drill onsite
• Shall be Available to respond for the
duration of the entry event
Onsite:
• Provide PPE and PPE training
• Train each employee on rescue duties
• Train employees in first aid and CPR
• Conduct annual drills
• Simulations shall match confined space
characteristics on site
Communication
Rescue and Emergency Services
• Contact rescue services.
Rescue
• Alert rescue team. Team
• Verify trained personnel availability.
• Confirm necessary equipment is available.
• Validate Response to location can be
completed in accordance with the response
category required by the entry permit Attendant
(Rescue Available, Rescue Ready or Rescue
Standby)
Entrants
Tools and Equipment Isolation Procedures

Air Monitoring Equipment Ventilation Personal Protective Equipment

Ventilation and Monitoring

Lighting Barriers Communication Devices • Occurs after purging/inerting and rinsing/draining.
• Controls recurring oxygen deficiency.
• Continuously adds breathing quality air into space.
• Requires periodic and/or continuous air monitoring.
• Should be considered dilution.
Rescue Devices Respiratory Equipment Possible Entrance Equipment

Non Entry Retrieval System components consist of:

• Chest or full body harness.
• Rated retrieval line.
• Lifting device.
• Support system.
Records

After the Confined Space Entry procedure is completed:

• The Entry Permit is canceled by the Entry Supervisor.
• The permit(s) are retained.
Alternate Entry Procedure
• Initial testing data required Used when an actual or potential
• Ventilation directed towards immediately hazardous areas. atmospheric hazard is present.
• No hazardous atmospheric conditions in space before entry.
• Entry Permit must be completed in Alternate Entry
Procedure Section appropriately. Demonstrated that continuous forced
• The atmosphere within the space will be periodically tested air ventilation is sufficient to maintain
to ensure that no hazardous atmosphere is accumulating. safe entry.

Reclassification Entry Procedure

• If all atmospheric/physical/mechanical hazards in the permit space can be
eliminated/mitigated.
o LOTO alone will not eliminate hazards for flowable materials, or materials that can
cause hazardous atmospheres or engulfment hazards.
• If space must be entered to eliminate/mitigate hazards then Permit Space Entry
Procedure must be followed.
• If forced air is required to control hazards, then reclassification is not allowed.
• The Entry Permit must be completed up to the Reclassification Section appropriately.