Confined Spaces

(are deadly places)

How confined spaces and related

codes and practices affect Tartan
Engineering Ltd.
What is a confined space?
“confined space” means an enclosed or partially enclosed space
that is not designed or intended for continuous human
occupancy with a restricted means of entry or exit and may
become hazardous to a worker entering it because

a) Of its design, construction, location or atmosphere.

b) Of the work activites, materials or substances in it,
c) The provision of first aid, evacuation, rescue or other
emergency response service is compromised, or
d) Of other hazards relating to it;

-Occupational Health and Safety Code

Entering a Confined
Space

You have entered

a confined space
once your
breathing zone
crosses the plane
of the confined
space access
Example of Possible
Confined Space Equipment

Boilers

Storage Tanks

Petroleum and Chemical Reactors

Vessels

Buildings

Steam Generators
How does Confined
Spaces affect Tartan?

Attention to design

-ensuring personnel can work safely on equipment

with minimal hazards through good design practices.

Equipment Inspection

-inspection on surplus equipment on behalf of client.

-how far can employees go when inspecting
equipment?
Code of Practice

Occupational Health and Safety Code

(Part 5).

Latest version found in regulatory
library.
 Before Entering a
Confined Space
The following should be addressed:

Hazard Assessment

Worker Training

Entry Permit System

Protection from Hazardous Substances, Energy, and Conditions

Safety Precautions

Hot Work

Unauthorized Entry

Engine Exhaust Hazards

Testing the Atmosphere

Ventilation, Purging, and Inerting

Emergency Response

Requiring a Tending Worker

Retaining Records
Hazard Assessment

An employer must:
-identify existing or potential hazards prior to
starting work.
-prepare a report identifying hazards and methods
of control and elimination.
-ensure the report is dated correctly.

-OH&S Code Part 2

Hazard Assessment

An employer must ensure that the hazard

assessment is repeated

a) Reasonably practical intervals.

b) When new work process is introduced.
c) When work process changes.
d) Before construction of a new work site.

-OH&S Code – Part 2

Hazard Assessment

Employer must appoint a competent person to help

worker:
a) Assess hazards that worker will be exposed to.
b) specify type and frequency of inspection and
tests necessary to determine worker’s exposure to
hazards.
c) perform the inspections and tests identified.
d) specify safety equipment and PPE for required
work.
e) identify emergency equipment and PPE to be
used by a worker for rescue operation.
-OH&S Code – Part 5
Worker Training

Employer must ensure worker is trained in:

a) recognizing hazards
b) performing duties safely

Employer must keep record of the training.

Employer must ensure worker is competent in:
a) first aid.
b) appropriate emergency response equipment.
c) procedures appropriate to the confined space.
Entry Permit System

Permit is required to enter confined space.

Permit consists of:
a) name of each worker in the confined space and
reason for entry.
b) location of confined space.
c) time that entry permit is valid.
d) work being done in confined space.
e) code of practice requirements.
Protection from Hazardous
Substances, Energy, and
Conditions

Employer must ensure that workers are protected
against the release of hazardous substances or
energy that could harm them.

Adequate precautions to protect the worker against
drowning, engulfment or entrapment must be
ensured by the employer.
 Safety Precautions

Respirators (courtesy of Survivair)

Gas Detectors (courtesy of

Bio Systems)

Fall Protection (courtesy of Miller

Fall Protection)
Safety Precautions
- Fall Protection

Tripod
•Light weight.
•Inexpensive.
•Easy set-up.
•Limited to specific terrain and
clearances.
•More difficult to get entry out of
hole.

-Courtesy of Miller Fall Protection

Safety Precautions
- Fall Protection

Davit System
•Easy to set-up.
•Light weight.
•Swing over rescue for entry.
•Can use in different terrain and
clearances.
•Tends to be more expensive.

-Courtesy of Miller Fall Protection

Safety Precautions
- Fall Protection

Other equipment
•Harness
•Cable
•Retractable lifeline.

-Courtesy of Miller Fall Protection

Safety Precautions
- Respirators

•APR, PAPR, IDLH, SAR

•Fit Tests
•CSA Z94.4
- Courtesy of Survivair
Safety Precautions
- Gas Monitors

Types of Gas Sensors
- Electrochemical
-Consumptive and Non-Consumptive Sensors
-Pellister (Catalytic Bead) LEL Sensor Technology

-Infrared (NDIR) Sensor Technology

-Photo-ionization Sensor (PID)

- Courtesy of Bio Systems

Safety Precautions
- Gas Monitors
Definitions of three methods of verifying calibration:

• Bump test – A functional check involving the passing of a challenge gas over the
sensor or sensors sufficient to activate audio, visual, and other alarms if present, at
least to the lower alarm level.

• Calibration check – A test utilizing a known concentration of a challenge gas to

demonstrate that the sensor(s) and alarms respond to the gas within acceptable
limits. Typically for the combustible gas sensor -0 to +20%; for other sensors ±10 to
20% of the applied gas value unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, internal
company policy, or a regulatory agency.

• Full calibration – The adjustment of the sensor(s) response to match the desired
value compared to a known concentration of test gas, according to the
manufacturer's instructions.

- Courtesy of Bio Systems

Unauthorized Entry

An employer must ensure that persons who are not

authorized by the employer to enter a confined space
are prevented from entering.
Engine Exhaust Hazards

An employer must ensure that workers in a

confined space are protected from hazards created
by traffic in the vicinity of the confined space.
Testing the Atmosphere

• Oxygen (O2 ), Combustible (LEL)

and Toxics (CO), (H2S),
• Oxygen deficiency is less than 19.5
percent oxygen.
•Oxygen enrichment is greater than
23.0 percent oxygen.
•Flammable atmospheres from fuel,
oxygen and a source of ignition.
•Toxic and corrosive atmospheres
through reactions.

-Courtesy of Bio Systems

Testing the Atmosphere

Gas Concentration
Flammability
Range

LEL UEL

Common Flammability Ranges

100 % LEL
Methane 5 %/Vol.
Propane 2.2 %/Vol.
Acetone 2.6 %/Vol.
Ammonia 16 %/Vol.
Carbon monoxide 12.5 %/Vol.
Ethylene oxide 3 %/Vol.
Hydrogen sulfide 4.3 %/Vol.
-Courtesy of Bio Systems
Testing the Atmosphere

A B C
• Gas detector is 100%
calibrated to gas “C”.

Meter Reading
D
• At 50% of LEL
reading, actual LEL E
50%
concentration of gas
“E” is 100%.
• Best practice to not
enter confined space
if meter reading over 50% 100%
20%. Actual LEL Concentration

-Courtesy of Bio Systems

 Ventilation, Purging, and
Inerting

Hazardous
atmosphere must be
ventilated, purged or
both.

If it is not possible to
ventilate, appropriate
PPE must be used.
Requiring a Tending Worker

A competent worker
is required to be in
communication with a
worker in a confined
space.
Retaining Records

All records on confined space entry and work must

be retained for not less than:
a) 1 year if no incident occurred during entry.
b) 2 year if an incident occurred during entry.
Conclusion

OH&S is a guideline only.

Owner and individual responsible for determining
risks and hazards on their specific confined space
situation.

Designers must consider possible hazards in
package design.
Questions????