SHIFANA OTTATHAIKAL KAREEM

CONFINED
SPACE SAFETY

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 SHIFANA OTTATHAIKAL KAREEM

What is Confined Space?

A confined space is a term used to describe an
enclosed or partially enclosed area with limited access
and ventilation.
It is large enough and so configured that employee
can bodily enter and perform assigned work.
Has limited means of entry/ exit.
Examples: Storage Tanks, Silos, Vessels, Hoppers,
pits, Underground Utility Vaults, Manholes, Sewers
etc.
It is NOT designed for continous period of occupancy.

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Classes of Confined Space Note: Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health
Class A Class B Class C
IDLH Atmosphere Space has potential for Space has potential
causing injury if proper hazards but would not
May contain oxygen safety steps are not require any special
deficiency, explosive followed modification of the
or flammable work procedures.
atmospheres and/or
concentrations of toxic Classification of any confined space shall be
substances. determined ONLY by trained and authorised persons
Types of Confined Space
Non-Permitted Permitted
Does NOT contain physical, Does contain physical,
chemical or atmospheric chemical or atmospheric
hazards capable of causing hazards capable of causing
death or serious physical harm. death or serious physical harm.
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Permit Required
Confined Space
It has one or more of the following characteristics
Contains or could contain a hazardous atmosphere
Contains a material that could overtake someone
inside the space
Has a configuration internally that could cause the
entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated (such as floors
that slope down into a smaller area or walls that
converge inward)
Contains other recognized health and safety hazards
(such as unguarded machinery, live wires, or heat
stress)
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Characteristics
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Internal Configuration
Open Obstructed
Permit space contain some
No obstacles, barriersbarriers type of obstruction that
or obstructions within space. rescuer would need to
(i.e., water tank) maneuver around such as
baffle or mixing blade.

Large equipments such as ladder or scaffold brought into space for

work purposes would be considered obstruction if positioning or
size of the equipment would make rescue more difficult.

Characteristics
Elevation
Elevated
Permit space where
entrance portal or opening
is above ground greater
than or equal to 4 ft.
Usually requires knowledge
of high angle rescue
procedures because of
difficulty in packaging and
transporting patient to
ground from portal.
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Non-elevated
Permit space with entrance
portal located less than or
equal to 4 ft above
ground.
Will allow rescue team to
transport injured employee
normally.
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Characteristics
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Portal Size
Restricted Unrestricted

Portal less than or equal to Portal greater than or

24" in least dimension equal to 24" in least
dimension.
Too small to allow rescuer
to simply enter space These portals allow
while using SCBA. relatively free movement
into and out of permit
Too small to allow normal space.
spinal immobilisation of
injured employee
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Characteristics
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Space Access
Horizontal Vertical
Portal located on top of
Portal located on side of permit space.
permit space. Rescuers must climb down
or at bottom of permit
space.
Use of retrieval lines could
be difficult May require knowledge of
rope techniques or special
patient packaging to
safely retrieve downed
entrant.

Safety Measures & Equipment
For Confined Space
GAS MONITORS
Essential for detecting and
measuring hazardous gases
ensuring adequate air quality.
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
Devices for circulating and
exchanging air to prevent toxic
gas accumulation.
ENTRY PERMIT SYSTEM
Documented process authorising
confined space entry outlining
safety procedures.
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SAFETY HARNESS & LIFELINES
Crucial for securing workers and
enabling prompt retreival in
emergencies.
TRIPODS AND DAVITS
Facilitate safe entry and exit
providing stable anchor points for
lifelines
COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Two way radios maintain contact
between confined space workers
and those outside.
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Safety Measures & Equipment

For Confined Space
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION LIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Masks or Self Contained Portable intrinsically safe lights

Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for visibility within confined
safeguard against airborne spaces.
contaminants.
EMERGENCY RESCUE LOCKOUT TAGOUT DEVICES
EQUIPMENT
Includes stretchers, retreival Prevent accidental equipment
systems, and tools for quick and activation during confined space
safe evacuations. entry.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
Safety overalls, gloves and hard
hats ensure worker safety.
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Safety Equipment for
Confined Spaces

Image from suresafety.com

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Duties & Responsibilities

of Confined Space Entry Team
The confined space entry team is a team of workers assigned to
specific roles and responsibilities.
The confined space entry team has three main members
The entrant
The attendant
The supervisor
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Duties & Responsibilities

of Authorized Entrant
The confined space entrant, authorized by the employer, must
know general and specific hazards in the permit space.
Due to high exposure risk, they must recognize modes of
exposure, signs of hazardous material exposure, and its
consequences.
They need thorough training in using all equipment for safe
entry and rescue.
They work closely with the attendant, keeping them updated
on their status, hazards exposure, and unsafe conditions.
They must heed warnings from the attendant and be ready to
evacuate as instructed.
 SHIFANA OTTATHAIKAL KAREEM

Duties & Responsibilities

of Entry Supervisor
The confined space supervisor is in charge of the
entire entry operation's safety and must authorize it.
They verify safe entry conditions, oversee entry
operations, and ensure rescue services are available
and effective.
If safety issues arise or dangerous conditions are
found, the supervisor terminates the entry and cancels
the permit
They also remove unauthorized personnel from the site.
Additionally, if trained and equipped, the supervisor
can serve as an authorized entrant or attendant.
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Duties & Responsibilities

of Attendant
The confined space attendant remains outside the permit
space until relieved, with proactive duties beyond
assisting the entrant.
They need to know equipment use, entry hazards, and
signs of hazardous material exposure.
They must track and communicate with entrants, remove
unauthorized personnel, and manage evacuation and
rescue.
Their primary role is entrant safety, prohibiting any tasks
that might compromise their safety-related responsibilities.
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Atmospheric Hazards
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in Confined Space
Atmospheric hazards in a confined space are those that expose entrants to a risk
such as death, entrapment, injury, or acute illness from one or more of the
following causes:
OXYGEN

An atmospheric concentration
BELOW
19.5%
Oxygen Deficiency 23.5% ABOVE
Oxygen Enrichment
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Potential Effects of Oxygen Enriched and Deficient Atmospheres
OXYGEN CONTENT
EFFECTS & SYMPTOMS (AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE)
(% BY VOL.)

> 23.5% Oxygen enriched, extreme fire hazard

20.9% Oxygen concentration in normal air

19.5% Minimum permissible oxygen level

15-19% Reduced strenuous work ability; affects coordination and may

trigger symptoms in those with heart, lung, or circulation issues.
10-12% Respiration further increases in rate and depth; poor judgment,
blue lips.
8-10% Mental failure, fainting, unconsciousness, ashen faceface, nausea
and vomiting.
6-8% Recovery still possiblepossible after four to five minutes. 50% fatal
after six minutes. Fatal after eight minutes.
4-6% Coma in 40 seconds, convulsions, respiration ceases, death

Atmospheric Hazards
in Confined Space
COMBUSTIBLE GASES, VAPOURS OR MISTS
Hazardous if it exceeds 10% of its lower
explosive limit (LEL).
Lower explosive limit (LEL) is the lowest
concentration where a material is
flammable in the air. Concentrations
below this limit are too lean to burn.
Upper explosive limit (UEL) is the highest
concentration where a material is
flammable in the air. Above that
cocentration, the mixture is too rich to
burn.
Check your material safety data sheets or other resources
for the chemical’s LEL & UEL.
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THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON
For combustion to occur, there
must be four elements:
Fuel
Oxygen to support combustion
Heat or a source of ignition
Chain reaction
If any of the four elements are
missing, combustion cannot occur.
The fourth element, chain reaction,
means that not any mixture of fuel
and oxygen can sustain a flame if
heated.
 SHIFANA OTTATHAIKAL KAREEM

Atmospheric Hazards https://www.linkedin.com/in/shifana-ok

in Confined Space
TOXIC GASES

Hazardous if exceeds dose or permissible exposure limit (PEL) and capable of causing
death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness due to its
health effects.
Toxic Gas TWA STEL Ceiling IDL
Here are examples of common
Ammonia 25 ppm 35 ppm - 500 ppm
toxic gases found in a confined
space. Carbon Monoxide 25 ppm - 200 ppm 1500 ppm
Chlorine 0.5 ppm 1 ppm - 30 ppm
Even non-toxic or low-toxic
chemicals can replace oxygen Hydrogen Cyanide - - 4.7 ppm 50 ppm
if levels are high enough Hydrogen Sulphide 10 ppm 15 ppm - 300 ppm
Nitric Oxide 25 ppm - - 100 ppm
Sulphur Dioxide 2 ppm 5 ppm - 100 ppm
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Atmospheric Hazards https://www.linkedin.com/in/shifana-ok

in Confined Space
EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE

ppm Time Effects and Symptoms ppm Time Effects and Symptoms
35 8 hrs Permissible exposure level 10 8 hrs Permissible exposure level
300 3 hrs Slight headache,discomfort Mild eye and respiratory
50-100 1 hr
irritation
400 2 hrs Headache, discomfort
Marked eye and respiratory
600 1 hr Headache, discomfort 200-300 1 hr
irritation
1000-2000 2 hrs Confusion, discomfort
500-700 1/2 - 1 hr Unconsciousness, death
1000-2000 1/2 - 1 hr Tendency to stagger
>1000 Mins. Unconsciousness, death
1000-2000 30 min Slight heart palpitations
2000-2500 30 min Unconsciousness
4000 > 1 hr Fatal
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Engulfment https://www.linkedin.com/in/shifana-ok

in Confined Space
EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE
Engulfment is defined as surrounding and Suffocation Risk
capturing a person by a liquid or finely Workers may suffocate if trapped.
divided solid substance.
Can cause death by filling or plugging the Can an engulfment hazard be isolated?
respiratory system, or by exerting force
leading to strangulation, constriction, or Methods include:
crushing. Blanking or blinding.
Misaligning or removing sections of
Engulfing material: Liquids or loose solids lines, pipes, or ducts.
like grain, seed, sand, dirt, or other Double block and bleed system.
granular material. Lockout or tagout of energy sources.
Blocking or disconnecting
Common Scenario: Workers may get mechanical linkages.
engulfed when in-feed or out-feed lines are
inadvertently opened or activated.
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in Confined Space
Blanking
EFFECTS orOF
Blinding:
CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE
Absolute closure of a pipe, line, or duct.
Achieved by fastening a solid plate (e.g., spectacle
blind) capable of withstanding maximum pressure
without leakage.
Double Block and Bleed:
Closure of a line, duct, or pipe.
Involves closing and locking or tagging two in-line
valves and opening and locking or tagging a drain
or vent valve between them.
Line Breaking:
Intentional opening of a pipe, line, or duct.
Done for materials like flammable, corrosive, or
toxic substances.
Also applicable for inert gases or fluids under high
volume, pressure, or temperature. Image credit: www.grainsafety..org
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Rescue & Emergency Services

Three Options to Permit-Required Confined Space Rescue
1. ARRANGE FOR RESCUE SERVICE FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE

Evaluate their ability to respond in a timely manner considering the hazard(s)

evaluated and proficiency with rescue-related tasks and equipment.
"timely" will vary according to the specific hazards involved
provide the rescue service with access to all permit spaces from which rescue may
be necessary so they can develop appropriate rescue plans and practice rescue
operations
2. ARRANGE FOR YOUR OWN EMPLOYEES TO PROVIDE RESCUE

Provide necessary PPE and training in the PPE; training in their assigned rescue
duties; training in first aid & CPR; practice simulated permit space rescues at least
annually in respective spaces using manikins or actual
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Rescue & Emergency Services

Three Options to Permit-Required Confined Space Rescue
3. PROVIDE FOR NON-ENTRY RESCUE

Provide necessary retrieval equipment such as a full body harness and a mechanical
device when permit space depths are more than five feet.
Unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not
contribute to the rescue of the entrant.

If a chemical is involved during an emergency, provide the necessary MSDS immediately!

Thankyou
SHIFANA OTTATHAIKAL KAREEM
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