Harweel Cluster

Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Prepared by:
Michael O. Lorenzo
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Confined Space
Definition
Any enclosure:
 large enough that an employee can
bodily enter and perform assigned work;
 has limited or restricted means for entry
or exit;
 not designed for continuous occupancy.
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Examples of
Confined Spaces:

Silo

HSE Dept
Dec 2007 Vessel Heater Column
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Examples of
Confined Spaces:

Boilers
Storage Tanks

HSE Dept
Dec 2007 Process Tanks
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Examples of
Confined Spaces:

Duct Works

1.50 m &
deeper
excavations
Manholes

Pipe
HSE Dept Lines
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Definitions
 Confined Space Entry - The act of physically
entering the confined space. Entry occurs as
soon as any part of entrant’s body breaks the
plane of an opening into the space.
 Competent Person – one who, because of
training and experience:
• Is capable of identifying existing or potential
hazards associated with the work;
• is capable of identifying hazardous working
conditions that can endanger the health and
safety of employees and;
• has the authority to take prompt corrective
HSE Dept
Dec 2007 action.
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Definitions
 Entrant – A person entering the confined space

 Entry Attendant (Safety Watch) – A trained

individual, stationed outside the space, who
observes and records entrants and maintains
line of sight or verbal communication with the
entrants undertaking the activity inside the
confined space. A safety watch is a declared
“Competent Person” and must have
competency certificate signed and issued by
PEC HSE Site Manager and Site Manager.
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

 Entry Supervisor – The contractor / subcontractor

worksite supervisor responsible for determining
if acceptable entry conditions are present, for
authorizing entry, for overseeing entry
operations and for terminating entry as required
 Oxygen Deficiency – A condition in which the
oxygen content in the atmosphere is less than
19.5% by volume. Oxygen deficient atmosphere
is considered as IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to
Life and Health)
 Safe Atmosphere – A space which contains:
• Oxygen - 19.5% - 21.5% by vol
• Flammable - > 2.0 % LEL / LFL
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
• Toxic - 0.0 PPM
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Acronyms

 LEL: Lower Explosive Limit - % LEL

 PPM: Parts Per Million - toxic gas
measurement
 PEL: Permissible Exposure Limit -
8 hr/day - 40 hrs/wk -
(OSHA)
 TWA: Time Weighted Average - 8hr/day-
(ACGIH)
 STEL: Short Term Exposure Limit –
15 mins/4x shift - (w/ 1 hr break - ACGIH)
HSE Dept  IDLH: Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac
Statistics

Deaths by Atmospheric Hazard Types

1983 - 1993

21% 7% 70 Incidents
29%
109 Deaths
43%

64% Single Victim

Oxygen Deficiency
Combustible Gases
Toxic Gases
Other
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Statistics
Deaths by Job Types: 1983 - 1993
24%
70 Incidents

109 Deaths 36%

40%

64% Single Victim

Repair / Maintenance
Rescuers
Other

Tanks, vats/pits, digesters, and sewer

manholes are the most frequently
HSE Dept encountered confined spaces
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

PEC Golden Rules of Confined Space Entry

 All other options have been ruled out
 Permit is issued, requirements have been
communicated
 All personnel involved are competent
 All sources of energy have been isolated
 Atmospheric testing is conducted
 Standby person is stationed, entry and exit
documented
 Unauthorized entry is prevented
 Adequate ventilation is provided
 Pre-entry meeting is conducted
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Hazards
Oxygen Deficiency
19.5% Oxygen
 Risk of asphyxiation
Caused by
 Consumption
 people
 oxidation
 Displacement
 humidity
 decomposition
 Inertion (purging)

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Oxygen Enrichment Hazards

 Serious fire hazard

 Materials burn much more rapidly
 Caused by
 leaking valves

 leaking cylinders

Oxygen
23.5%
HSE Dept (OSHA)
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Effects of Oxygen
 23.5% Maximum safe level (OSHA)
 21.0% Oxygen content in “Air” (20.954%)
 19.5% Minimum safe level (OSHA, NIOSH)
 17.0% Impairment of judgement begins
 16.0% First signs of Anoxia
 16-12% Breathing and pulse rate increases,
coordination is impaired

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Effects of Oxygen
 14-10% Fatigue, disturbed respiration
 10-6% Nausea and vomiting, inability to
move freely and loss of consciousness
 <6% Convulsive movements and gasping
respiration occurs; respiration
stops / minutes later heart action ceases
 3-5% Life expectancy; 3 - 5 minutes

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Toxic Gases Hazards

 Pose a threat to human life – react in the
body in a poisonous fashion
 Enter the body through various ways,
they can be ingested, injected,
inhaled or absorbed through the skin
 Often colorless and odorless
 The two most common
toxic gases are

Carbon Monoxide & Hydrogen Sulfide

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Toxic Gases Hazards

 Chronically Toxic
 prolonged exposure
 effect on hemoglobin
 flu-like symptoms (headache, dizziness,)
 medical effect may not be felt for many years
 Carbon Monoxide (CO) most common

 Acutely Toxic
 inhibit cell respiration
 effect on enzymes
 shut down lungs and other organs
 can cause death

HSE Dept  Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) most common

Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Hydrogen Sulfide Data

 H2S: Colorless, Rotten egg smell
 Hazard: Flammable, LEL 4.0%
 Health: Extremely Toxic, appears naturally
from decomposition, has a paralyzing effect
on the nervous system that controls
breathing.
 Exposure: PEL/TWA 10 ppm
STEL 15 ppm IDLH
100 ppm
 Industries: Oil & Gas, waste water treatment
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Effects of H2S
 .13ppm - Minimal perceptible odor

 10ppm - Beginning of eye irritation,

permissible exposure limit

 100ppm - Coughing, eye

irritation,loss
of sense of smell after
2 - 5 minutes

 500ppm - Loss of consciousness and

HSE Dept
possible death 30 mins - 1 hr
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

COMBUSTIBLE
ATMOSPHERES

fuel air

source of ignition
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Common Combustibles
Combustible LEL
 Methane (natural gas) 5.0% vol
 Propane 2.1% vol
 Pentane (gasoline) 1.4% vol
 Butane 1.9% vol
 Hexane 1.2% vol
 Methanol 6.0% vol
 Hydrogen 4.0% vol

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Example of Combustion
100% LEL UEL

(Natural Gas)
Methane (CH4)

0 5 15 100% Vol

Too Lean Explosive Too Rich

to Burn Mixture to Burn

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Atmospheric
Testing
Sample When
Prior to entry
Prior to re-entry
Continuously
Sample Where
top, middle & bottom
(not to exceed 4 feet)
Sample Why
HSE Dept stratification / weights / mix
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Atmospheric Testing
ref: CFR 1910.146 (A) subsection (B):
before an employee enters the space, the
internal atmosphere shall be tested for the
following conditions in the order given:

Sample What? What Levels?

 Oxygen content 19.5 - 23.5% (OSHA)
 Combustible Gases 10% LEL

 Toxic Gases Depends on gas type

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Atmospheric Testing - Top

METHANE (lighter than air)

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Atmospheric Testing - Middle

METHANE (lighter than air)

CARBON MONOXIDE (slightly lighter than air)
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Atmospheric Testing-Bottom

METHANE (lighter than air)

CARBON MONOXIDE (slightly lighter than air)
HSE Dept
Dec 2007 HYDROGEN SULFIDE (heavier than air)
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Pipe Entry Requirements

Ventilation
Retrieval Line @ end of pipe
Standby man
(connected to or man way
Log sheet back D-ring)

Roller Board

Retrieval line Pipe line

HSE Dept Signage
Dec 2007 @ entry point
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac
Access Ladder Ventilation
Vessel
Continuous Entry
Gas Test
Requirements
Low Voltage
Explosion Proof
Lighting Equipment outside the
confined space:
• Warning Sign
• Fire-X
• Retrieval Line
PPEs: • Audible Alarm
- Respirator • SCBA
- Clear Glasses
• In / Out Register
- FBH
- Disposable
HSE Dept
Dec 2007 Coverall (cleaning)
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Entry Requirements

 Ensure atmospheric test

 Prohibit
is conducted and signed
unauthorized permit is available prior
entries to allowing entry
HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Entry Requirements
Ensure awareness of emergency procedure
ATTENDANT ENTRANTS
EMERGENCY
(fire, gas release, etc.) · Alert Entrants / Order · STOP WORK
Evacuation · Exit from the space
· Proceed to / Stay @ SAP until
· Check In / Out Log VS
further notice.
Exiting Entrants

Rescue ATTENDANT
Required? YES
· Call for help / Emergency assistance:
 Via Radio
NO  Via Control Room
 By sending someone
ATTENDANT · Perform / assist non-entry rescue
· Report Incident

RESCUE TEAM

HSE/ PLANT OPERATION

· Render appropriate service
· Evaluate overall condition (first a id / CPR / Medical
Evacuation
· Conduct atmospheric testing
HSE Dept · Prohibit further entries / allow
Dec 2007 resuming normal operation.
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Entry Requirements

 Ensure proper
signage is in place
prior to and during
HSE Dept
Dec 2007 entry
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Entry Requirements

Attached to a
Fire retrieval / lifeline
Extinguisher

Retrieval / Life line

(5,000 lbs tensile strength minimum)

Audible warning device

 Ensure emergency rescue equipment is available

HSE Dept @ entry point prior to allowing entry
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Conclusion

 Never take chances

 Learn by training and safe
practices NOT by mistake
 Know confined space entry
and strictly comply with it

HSE Dept
Dec 2007
Harweel Cluster
Phase 2 Facilities Petrofac

Thank You

HSE Dept
Dec 2007