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IDENTIFYING AND EVALUATIING CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS

CLASSIFICATION
There are two main categories of confined spaces, namely: permit-required confined spaces non-permit-required confined spaces
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Not all confined spaces will be considered permit-required confined spaces and being able to identify the difference between the two is important.

NON PERMIT REQUIRING

A Non-Permit Confined Space is a confined space that does not usually contain, nor usually has the potential to contain, any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm. Examples of non-permit required confined spaces might include the following:
interiors of HVAC units, certain air plenums and pipe chases, attics, walk-in freezers or refrigerators, and building crawl spaces.
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PERMIT REQUIRING SPACE

A Permit Required Confined Space means a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant, Contains any other serious safety or health hazard. Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.

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PERMIT REQUIRING SPACE

Examples of serious safety or health hazards might include the following: Fall hazards Unguarded machinery Extreme heat or cold Steam pipes or chemical lines Hazardous noise levels Electrical hazards Presence of asbestos Potentially hazardous levels of dust (such as might occur at a Feed Mill)

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PHASE 1 IDENTIFYING / RECORDING

IDENTIFYING / RECORDING
Initial surveys are conducted to identify all of the confined spaces at the site and to prepare an inventory list of these spaces. The spaces on the list will then be classified according to type. With the ready availability of digital photography, it is often beneficial to include photos with the hazard assessment.

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PHASE 2 ASSESSMENT

CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS

Analysis of typical causes of fatalities

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47% Air (Oxygen, Gases, Vapors) 21% Drowning (Engulfment) 19% Toxic (Liquids, Vapors, etc above PEL 10% Blunt Force Trauma 2% Electrocution (Mostly due to objects the victim took in with them) 1% Burns

HAZARD CATEGORIES
The main confined-space hazards can be grouped into the following categories:
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Oxygen-deficient atmospheres Flammable atmospheres Toxic atmospheres Mechanical and physical hazards

HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERES
Asphyxiating atmospheres Flammable atmospheres Toxic atmospheres

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OXYGEN DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERE

"Oxygen-deficient atmosphere" means an atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen by volume
Note: Exposures to atmospheres containing 12% or less oxygen will bring about unconsciousness without warning and so quickly that individuals cannot help or protect themselves
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OXYGEN DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERE

Oxygen deficiency can be caused by: displacement (by another gas within the confined space), or consumption. There are a number of processes that consume oxygen in a confined space: Oxygen is consumed during combustion of flammable materials, as in welding, cutting, or brazing. A more subtle consumption of oxygen occurs during bacterial action, as in the fermentation process.

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OXYGEN DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERE

Oxygen can also be consumed during chemical reactions such as in the formation of rust on the exposed surfaces of a confined space. The number of people working in a confined space and the amount of physical activity can also influence oxygen consumption.
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NITROGEN (N2)
Colorless, odorless inert gas Slightly lighter than air Vapor density (0.97) May displace oxygen and cause asphyxiation

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METHANE (CH4)
Natural, marsh or swamp gas Colorless, odorless, flammable gas Lighter than air Vapor Density (0.6) Toxic? Lower Exposure Limit (LEL)= 5%; Upper Exposure Limit (UEL) = 15%

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CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

Colorless, odorless gas Slightly lighter than air Vapor Density (0.97) Chemical asphyxiant Primary source: incomplete combustion of organic material Gasoline-fueled combustion engines

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CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) = 50 ppm Threshold Limit Values (TLV): Time Weighted Average (TWA) = 25 ppm
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Respiratory Exposure Limit (REL) = 35 ppm Short Term Exposure Limit = 200 ppm

Lower Exposure Limit (LEL) = 12.5%; Upper Exposure Limit (UEL) = 74.2%

HYDROGEN SULPHIDE (H2S)

Sewer gas, stink gas (rotten eggs) Produce olfactory fatigue (loss of sense of smell) Odor threshold: 0.02-0.2 ppm Colorless, flammable gas Lower Exposure Limit (LEL) = 4.3% Upper Exposure Limit (UEL) = 46.0% Heavier than air Vapor density (1.18)

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HYDROGEN SULPHIDE (H2S)

Permissible Exposure Limit = 20 ppm 50 ppm-Peak (10 min once) Threshold Limit Values (TLV): Time Weighted Average (TWA) = 10 ppm
Respiratory Exposure Limit (REL) = 10 ppm (10 min) Short Term Exposure Limit = 15ppm

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ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS
Definitions

Vapor Density - The weight of a flammable vapor compared to air (Air=1).

Vapors with a high density are more dangerous and require better ventilation because they tend to flow along the floor and collect in low spots.
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ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS
Definitions

Many flammable and combustible liquids present an inhalation as well as a fire hazard.

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PEL - The Permissible Exposure Limit of a gas or vapor according to formal standards, expressed in parts of vapor per million parts (ppm) of contaminated air.

HOW HAZARDS OCCUR

1. Previously stored products / chemicals 2. Manufacturing processes 3. Operations/work being performed 4. Adjacent areas
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GENERAL HAZARDS
Electrical Mechanical Engulfment

Entrapment

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ELECTRICAL INJURIES
The voltage of the circuit

The resistance of the persons body

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The flow of current through the body The circuit path through the body

ENGULFMENT
" Engulfment" means the surrounding and effective capture of a person by a liquid or finely-divided (flowable) solid substance that can be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system or that can exert enough force on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction, or crushing.

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MECHANICAL/ENTRAPMENT
Agitators Augers Unguarded chains Unguarded pulleys Unguarded rotating blades Unguarded belts Unguarded fans Moving parts Rotating parts

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PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Thermal effects Noise
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Vibration Structural Corrosives

THERMAL EFFECTS
Heat stress Cold stress
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NOISE HAZARDS
Distraction

Physical damage to ear

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Interference with communications Stress

OTHER HAZARDS
Unstable or dangerous work surfaces

Falling objects
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Insects or animals Biological

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ASSESSMENT APPROACH

DEFINITION
HAZARD is a condition or practice which has the potential to cause harm
e.g., substances, methods of work, dangerous parts of machines
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HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
The hazard identification process should consider the following: all aspects of the work/machinery etc. under normal circumstances possible non-routine operation/work situations, or effect of interruptions / changes to the work/operation. all persons who may be affected by the activities (highlighting persons who are particularly affected) existing control measures

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DEFINITION
RISK is the likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard will occur The chance of harm or loss The extent of risk depends on the severity of the harm, and also the number of people affected

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RISK

FREQUENCY (Frequency Analysis)

CONSEQUENCE (Consequence Analysis)

EXPOSURE

PROBABILITY

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RISK EVALUATION
Risk evaluation uses values in order to calculate the risk factor. This would usually include values based on:
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measurement of consequence
measurement of exposure measurement of probability

REVIEW
Surveys and hazard assessments should be updated periodically. A general review of all items should be conducted at least annually. If changes occur in the facility or processes, the affected spaces need to be reassessed immediately. Reports of issues from entry crews may also provide warning that a space needs to be reevaluated e.g. if the crew discovers a hazardous atmosphere in a space that does not usually contain one, the source of the hazard should be determined and the hazard assessment revised if necessary.

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