Professional Documents
Culture Documents
L3-018-Hse-02 Confined Spaces .
L3-018-Hse-02 Confined Spaces .
: L3-018-HSE-02
Distribution List
Department/Section Recipient Department/Section Recipient
Management GM Stores All staff
Operations All staff Chemistry All staff
H.R. & Administration All staff Electrical All staff
I.T. All staff Mechanical All staff
Finance All staff Instrumentation & Control All staff
Procurement All staff Engineering All staff
H.S.E. All staff Performance All staff
Security All staff
Revision Record
Revision
Issue No. Description of Change Effective date
No.
1 0 First issue 28/06/2015
2 1 Routine review 22/03/2018
3 2 Conversion to new format 31/12/2018
AZN Procedure Doc. No.: L3-018-HSE-02
Contents
1.0 PURPOSE.................................................................................................................. 4
2.0 PRINCIPLE ................................................................................................................ 4
3.0 SCOPE....................................................................................................................... 4
4.0 RESPONSIBILITY ..................................................................................................... 4
5.0 DEFINITIONS/ ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................. 5
6.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 5
7.0 HSE AND BUSINESS RISK....................................................................................... 6
8.0 PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................ 6
9.0 AUDIT / REVIEWS ..................................................................................................... 8
10.0 ATTACHMENTS ........................................................................................................ 8
Appendix 1 Risk Assessment Guidance .................................................................. 9
Appendix 2 Standby man instructions .................................................................... 14
AZN Procedure Doc. No.: L3-018-HSE-02
1.0 PURPOSE
This procedure defines the requirements at AZN for a safe system of working in confined
spaces, restricted spaces and spaces where a foreseeable risk may arise from potentially
noxious environment.
2.0 PRINCIPLE
Legislation and Company procedures require that if any work is required that may include
a Confined Space, we:
• Avoid entry to confined spaces, e.g. by doing the work from outside;
This procedure defines the requirements necessary to conform to that principle and to
provide a safe system of work relating to confined spaces.
3.0 SCOPE
All work on site that may include confined spaces work.
4.0 RESPONSIBILITY
Safety Controllers are responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the
Safety Rules are considered during confined spaces
work that are defined as part of the System.
5.0 REFERENCES
UK Confined Spaces Regulations
BEI H&S PROC/023-G Confined Spaces
L3-035-SRP-02 General Confined Spaces
Any work carried out in these areas must therefore be risk assessed; if a confined space
is created then this procedure must be applied.
Hazards The confined nature of the place of work combined with the presence
of substances or conditions, existing or introduced, may increase the
risk to the safety or health of people.
8.0 PROCEDURE
The work planner must first establish whether the work to be done involves confined
spaces. This may arise from the confines of the work area, the nature of the work to be
done, or the contents of the confined space before or during the work.
The work planner must ensure that the risks are fully assessed and controlled before the
work is started (see appendix for guidance). This should be done with the aid of a Safety
Controller. The work MUST be done by NOT entering the confined space if reasonably
practicable. If the work cannot be done without entering the confined space, the work
planner must also ensure that a suitable rescue plan is in place.
The work planner or any other person supervising the confined spaces work must ensure
that any control measures, including exhaust ventilation, personal protection and
monitoring systems remain effective for the duration of the work, and are subject to
maintenance, checking and testing.
All persons working in a confined space must be suitably trained by an accredited training
provider. The training received must include, as a minimum:
All persons must be suitable for the work they are to do. They must have sufficient
experience, be of suitable build (in the event of any constraints due to physical layout of
the space), and be physically and mentally fit (e.g. concerns over claustrophobia etc.) for
entry. Work planners must satisfy themselves that any person put to work in a confined
space is suitably trained for the task
Prior to the issue of any safety document for confined space working the safety controller
must request the completion of a Gas Free Certificate. This report is used to record the
confined space atmosphere readings, including oxygen levels, and to ensure all
necessary precautions are in place prior to commencement of work. A permit for work
may be required to enable atmosphere testing or setting up of control measures to take
place. The atmosphere test must be carried out by a trained member of staff, and include
testing the area around the entry prior to breathing the atmosphere within, all parts of the
space working in from the entry point, and the stirring up of any sediment in the area.
If any flammable substances are taken into the confined space or there is a risk of
flammable substances arising from the work, e.g. solvents, flammable dust (e.g. resin,
metals), gases, oil vapour etc. any equipment used in the confined space must be
intrinsically safe. Only solvents needed for the work at hand should be taken into the
confined space.
If the risk of asphyxiation may arise during the work, whether from toxic or hazardous
substances or in the event of a fire, escape breathing apparatus must be available for
each person entering the confined space.
Where practicable, the permit to work, the Designated Persons report, Gas Free
Certificate, risk assessments, methods statements, roll call forms, rescue plan and
COSHH/equipment data should be available at the point of entry.
A valid permit for work must be in force, accompanied by a valid designated persons
report. The Gas Free Certificate must contain the initial atmosphere test and the
frequency of re-test.
A standby man must be positioned at the entrance to the confined space. The person in
charge of the work must ensure that the standby man understands the requirements of
the role, as shown in appendix 2.
AZN Procedure Doc. No.: L3-018-HSE-02
Communications must be established and maintained between the entrant, the standby
man, the rescue team and the control room.
Any appropriate rescue equipment must be positioned at the entrance to the confined
space
All entrants must wear a safety harness where required by the confined spaces risk
assessment.
All entrants must wear a safety line where required by risk assessment.
The standby man must record the names and times of all persons entering and leaving
the confined space
The standby man must never enter the confined space or vacate his position whilst
persons are in the confined space.
No unauthorised products or equipment are to be taken into the confined space.
All objects and sharps must be removed from entrant’s pockets prior to entry.
If any portable gas detection equipment is activated all personnel must vacate the space
immediately and inform the control room.
If a fire or evacuation alarm sounds the standby man will remain at the entry point until
all personnel are out of the space. All staff will then proceed to the muster point.
After a fire, evacuation or gas detector alarm has sounded no entry is allowed into the
confined space until authorised by the duty safety controller.
Entry into the confined space includes placing your head at the entrance. No entry may
be made until a risk assessment and rescue plan have been created
10.0 ATTACHMENTS
1) Oxygen enrichment increases the risk of fire or explosion within the confined space.
The source of oxygen enrichment may be leaking gas welding/cutting equipment, and
for this reason, strict controls are to be enforced whenever gas welding/cutting
equipment is used within a confined space (see 13; products or equipment). Gas
welding/cutting equipment must never be left unattended within a confined space and
must be removed once the specific task has been completed and whenever the
confined space is vacated. Confined space entry requires an oxygen reading of approx.
20.9% prior to and during work.
3) Toxic gas fume or vapour may be present from the previous contents or released by
the disturbance of sludge in the confined space, be introduced from adjoining plant that
has not been effectively isolated or introduced by work equipment. Paints, solvents
and adhesives may introduce toxic fumes and vapours and must be COSHH assessed
prior to use. Toxic fumes and vapours can also be produced by welding/cutting and
from the products of combustion. Confined space entry requires a reading of 0 ppm for
all toxic substances prior to and during work. Entry to the confined space at levels
above this will require entrants to wear breathing apparatus and strict safety
precautions put in place to ensure the health and safety of entrants.
5/6) All electrical and mechanical equipment must be used correctly and comply with the
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It must also be intrinsically
safe where the risk of contact with flammable substances arises.
8) Irregular dimensions may lead to a differing air quality within the space or the
entrapment of gases, vapours and dusts from the work. Assisted ventilation should be
positioned to prevent such pockets and gas testing/ monitoring must take account of
irregular dimensions. The wearing of safety harnesses is recommended and where
practicable all entrants should be attached to lifelines.
9) Trip, slip and fall hazards; ladders and walkways may be unsafe due to oil residue,
algal growth, other residues or sludge. Any access ladders and platforms must be
clean and safe prior to the confined space entry. Equipment within the confined space
may pose a tripping hazard or work within the space may be at height. Any tripping
hazards must be assessed and safety measures put in place to eliminate or control
them. All work at height must be carried out from suitably designed and erected access
equipment that is adequately guarded to prevent falls, and capable of supporting the
loads imposed upon it. Difficult access and egress may also give rise to slips trips and
falls; all access and egress points are to be kept clear and free from hazards. Poor
visibility may be a major factor resulting in slips trips and falls. All confined spaces,
including their access and egress points must be adequately lit.
10) Additional lighting, inadequate lighting is a major cause of poor visibility. Poor
visibility may also arise from the work being performed. The confined space and its
access and egress points must be adequately lit. The choice of lighting system must
be such that no danger arises to the entrants if the equipment is knocked or damaged.
All lamps used on site must be adequately shielded to provide resistance to impact
and to contain debris in the event of a lamp explosion. If water is present in the confined
space consideration is to be given to equipment that is capable of withstanding wet or
damp conditions. All lighting is to be secured and cables prevented from blocking or
obstructing the access and egress points. Emergency lighting is to be provided in case
of failure of the main system, this may take the form of torches or hand lanterns. No
portable lighting above 120V is to be used on site and all lighting must be intrinsically
safe where required.
11) All access and egress points must be kept free from obstructions with all man way
and access doors/lids secured to prevent inadvertent closure. A standby man is to be
located at the main access & egress point whenever a confined space entry is in
progress. Where man ways and access doors are to be left open and unattended, they
must be suitably barriered and highlighted as a confined space.
12) The man way or entrance dimensions must be assessed to ensure entrants and
rescuers can enter and escape from the confined space. The minimum size opening
to allow access/egress of persons in full rescue equipment is 575 mm diameter.
Confined spaces with openings smaller than this will require specific safety measures
to be put into place to ensure that persons can safely and readily pass through the
openings, special attention must be paid to the rescue of entrants.
13) The products or equipment to be used in the confined space are to be assessed, all
hand tools must be fit for purpose and used within their design limits. Special
consideration must be given to the following equipment;
AZN Procedure Doc. No.: L3-018-HSE-02
• Gas cylinders – the use of gas cylinders in a confined space is not recommended
and must only be allowed if the task cannot be accomplished by any other
reasonably practical means. The cylinders and all associated equipment must be
fully inspected before being taken into the confined space; they should be
positioned and secured not to obstruct safe access and egress and all connections
leak tested prior to use. The cylinders should be at least 3m from any source of
naked flame and in a position to be shut off immediately in the event of an
emergency. Appropriate fire extinguishers (not CO 2 ), fire screens and fire blankets
must be available at the point of work. Once the task has been completed or
whenever the confined space is vacated the cylinders and equipment must be
removed. Adequate ventilation must be provided to ensure accidental leakage from
a cylinder or fumes generated during the work will not present a hazard to the
entrants.
• Gas supplied by pipes or hoses – gases supplied may be for welding, burning, and
cutting, heating equipment or for pneumatic tooling. The use of flammable or inert
gases within a confined space is not recommended and must only be allowed if the
task cannot be accomplished by any other reasonably practical means. All
equipment must be fully inspected before being taken into the confined space; be
positioned and secured not to obstruct safe access and egress and all connections
leak tested prior to use. The standby man or other member of the working party
must be in a position to shut off the gas supply immediately in the event of an
emergency. Appropriate fire extinguishers (not CO 2 ), fire screens and fire blankets
must be available at the point of work. Once the task has been completed or
whenever the confined space is vacated equipment must be removed. Adequate
ventilation must be provided to ensure accidental leakage from a line or fumes
generated during the work will not present a hazard to the entrants. Pneumatic
hoses and tooling operate on high-pressure air and as such, all hose and
equipment connections should be provided with whip check protection and location
of the tool identified at the compressor. All equipment must be intrinsically safe.
• Welding, burning, cutting and grinding – all these activities can lead to oxygen
depletion and the generation of harmful or toxic fumes, vapour and dust. Adequate
ventilation must be provided to replenish oxygen and to dilute and remove all
fumes, vapour and dust. In certain instances persons carrying out the task will
require to wear respiratory protective equipment e.g. stainless welding, grinding of
nickel steels. Appropriate fire extinguishers (not CO 2 ), fire screens and fire blankets
must be available at the point of work. Grinding must be assessed on a task by
task basis taking into account the scope of the work and any hazards present or
produced.
• Power driven tools – all electrical power driven tools must be 120V or below and
be intrinsically safe where required. They must have been inspected (PAT) and fit
for purpose, with guards and integral safety devices fitted and working. All supply
cables and equipment must be such that no danger arises to the entrants if the
equipment is knocked or damaged, if water is present in the confined space
consideration is to be given to equipment that is capable of withstanding wet or
damp conditions. All pneumatic tooling and hoses must be fitted with whip check
devices and an adequate means of isolation provided.
AZN Procedure Doc. No.: L3-018-HSE-02
14) List any other hazards that you think may be present or that may arise from the work
being carried out
15) A Designated Persons report is required for any confined space for which the Safety
Controller has asked for advice in controlling any hazards that may be present.
16) The nature and potential hazard posed by the previous contents including any
residues, sludge or scale in the confined space must be assessed. If the previous
contents of the confined space were flammable, toxic, corrosive or harmful to health
then measures must be take to remove them before any entry is allowed. Dangerous
substances may be released when residue, sludge or scale is disturbed; where
reasonably practicable they are to be removed. A confined space entry may be
necessary to remove such contaminants; if reasonably practicable, the contaminants
are to be agitated to release any hazardous gas fume or vapour and the atmosphere
re-tested prior to entry.
taken to provide safety from the system whilst work is carried out. Liquids, gases and
free flowing solids may enter the confined space from adjacent land and any possible
hazards must be assessed. These hazards may include ground water, methane,
carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and sand.
21) Where work is to take place in areas containing fixed fire fighting equipment all such
equipment must be isolated before entry.
25) The safety rules shall apply to all electrical items of plant and apparatus whose
ultimate purpose is to supply energy. Attention must be paid to the possible effects of
induced voltages in other conducting materials in parallel with cables in cable tunnels
and ducts.
26) In many cases, forced ventilation will be required, especially where the atmosphere
may be stale (but not with oxygen deficiency). The atmosphere may not be ‘sweetened’
by feeding oxygen into the space.
Some parts of the Confined Spaces risk assessment must be completed by the Safety
Controller as they involve System hazards.
AZN Procedure Doc. No.: L3-018-HSE-02
The standby man must be informed of the following before anyone enters the confined space:
He must understand the task to be done. This will improve the chance of preventing any
unauthorised flammable substances or sharp objects being taken in to the confined space
He must be aware of the safety arrangements (ventilation fans, PPE etc.), even though these
are not his responsibility
He must know what forms should be available before entry (confined space risk assessment,
rescue plan, gas-free certificate, PTW, log sheet)
He must maintain communication between the entrants, himself, the control room and rescue
team.
He must use a Roll Call form to record the names and times of all persons entering or leaving
the confined space.
It must be stressed that he must NEVER enter the confined space, no matter what the people
inside say. If they are getting into difficulties, the standby man’s role is to get help, not to
rescue the entrants. Many fatalities have occurred when a standby man has entered the
confined space to assist entrants being asphyxiated and has been overcome himself.
He must not vacate his position whilst personnel are in the confined space. In the event of a
fire or evacuation alarm, the standby man must remain at the entry point until all personnel
are out of the confined space, at which point all staff may proceed to the muster point.
He must ensure that no unauthorised products or equipment are taken into the confined space.