Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidelines and information to effectively control risks associated with confined space work.
Scope
This procedure applies to all staff of our company and includes contractors, sub-contractors, apprentices, trainees, work experience students, volunteers and clients.
Policy Statement
Pre-Entry
Risk Identification and Assessment
- Identify any hazards associated with confined space work;
- A risk assessment must be undertaken by a competent person/s before work associated with confined spaces is carried out (refer to risk assessment form for Confined Space).
- The risk assessment can be undertaken and suggested corrective actions Implemented through a Rectification Action Plan (RAP).
- Always conduct a risk assessment before any controls are implemented and a risk assessment after the controls are implemented to ensure the risk has been reduced.
- Where generic type work is carried out in confined spaces (eg. maintenance) a generic risk assessment may be used for several confined spaces, however, these risk assessments must be conducted ‘on the job’ and discussed by staff before entry to a confined space.
Worker Training
The supervisor is to ensure that workers nominated for work in a confined space work team have had training and have been assessed as competent in:
- The hazards of a confined space;
- Risk assessment and control processes;
- Entry, working in and exit procedures;
- Emergency procedures;
- The selection, use and maintenance of safety equipment;
- First aid including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
- Isolation – tagging and lockout procedures;
- Safety equipment use;
- Rescue and emergency drills;
- Fire Protection;
- Communications; and
- Any legislative requirement for confined space work.
- If the training for confined space work is conducted by an external provider, the course content is to be evaluated to ensure it meets company requirements;
- External providers are to be encouraged to use company’s safety equipment for the training as this will provide better understanding of the equipment; and
- Training records and competency tests are to be requested from any external training providers and maintained on file for at least 5 years;
- Ongoing training or refresher training should be provided periodically to ensure that relevant staff are competent;
- Staff are to be reminded of the requirements of confined space safety through toolbox talks and SWMS
Isolation
Prior to entering a confined space, all potentially hazardous services where possible, are to be isolated.
- The person in direct control is to ensure that the confined space has been isolated from any potential hazard;
- Preventative steps that can be taken are:
- Prevent the accidental introduction of material through piping, ducts, vents, drains, conveyors or service pipes;
- De-energise, tag and lockout machinery and other equipment that contain moving parts;
- Place blank flange on piping to prevent a release of gas or fluid into the confined space; and
- Isolate and lockout or isolate and tag out mechanical and electrical energy sources.
- Where there is more than one person in the confined space the isolation shall be done by each person and each person is to install their own locks and tags; and
- All persons who enter a confined space are to verify that the confined space and equipment have been isolated prior to their entry.
Precautions at the Entrances to a Confined Space
The person in direct control is to ensure that the appropriate signs and or barricades have been put in place prior to entering and working in the confined space (eg. NO UNAUTHORISED ENTRY sign).
Prior to Entry to a Confined Space
Atmospheric testing is to include testing by an instrument (gas detector) for:
- oxygen content;
- potentially harmful contaminants (eg. H2S gas); and
- potentially combustible/flammable contaminants (eg. methane gas).
- An initial atmospheric test is to be conducted with a continuous monitoring gas detector for 15 minutes at the top, half way and bottom of the space to determine a safe atmosphere and whether ventilation and/or personal protective equipment is required;
- Ventilation of a confined space should be carried out for a minimum of 10 minutes where required prior to entry (or 5 minutes, if using approved mechanical ventilation that is capable of exchanging the atmosphere in the confined space at least 4 times per minute) and workers should be checking their personal protective equipment;
- The person in direct control is to ensure that provisions are made in case a confined space rescue is required (tripod, harnesses lifelines). This includes a suitably trained and equipped standby person.
- A confined space ‘Entry Permit’ is essential – entering a confined space without the authority of a permit is prohibited;
- The ‘Entry Permit’ must be discussed with all persons on site and signed and dated accordingly;
- Ensure all services are isolated where practical; and
- Suitable first aid requirements are considered.
Atmospheric Testing During Entry
- Continuous monitoring of the confined space atmosphere is to occur while work is being performed in the confined space;
- Continuous monitoring by the standby person of any persons in the confined space; and
- If an alarm is activated, all persons are to leave the confined space immediately.
Re-Entry
- If an alarm has been activated the confined space atmosphere is to be retested and recorded on the ‘Entry Permit’; and
- The person in direct control will reissue the confined space ‘Entry Permit’ after an absence of more than 30 minutes from the confined space or if conditions in the confined space change.
After Exit
- The person in direct control will confirm that all workers and equipment are accounted for;
- All workers involved in the confined space task should review the operation and comment on any unsatisfactory aspects;
- The person in direct control and each worker involved in the confined space entry will sign the confined space ‘Entry Permit’ to confirm that the task has been completed;
- Prior to leaving the site, the person in direct control will ensure that the entry point to the confined space is replaced and is secure and all isolation has been restored; and
- ‘Entry Permits’ are to be given to the Supervisor and kept for a period of at least 1 month.
PPE
- PPE such as safety helmets, disposable overalls, safety footwear, gloves and respiratory protective equipment should be considered following a risk assessment to identify the correct type of PPE;
- Training must be provided on the PPE issued; and
- PPE is to be regularly inspected and maintained by the supervisor.
Hot Work
- Hot work such as welding or oxy-cutting must not be conducted in or around the entry to a confined space until a hot work permit has been issued by the person directly in control; and
- The person in direct control will complete the ‘Entry Permit’ in regard to hot work.
Records
- ‘Entry Permits’ must be kept for at least 1 month; and
- All other records are to be kept for a period of 5 years.
Hygiene
- It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that personal hygiene is carried out;
- After any work has been carried out in sewerage or where infections can occur, the workers must wash their hands and clean their tools and equipment immediately; and
- Any cuts and abrasions received during work must be treated immediately.
Health
Our company will identify all workers working in infection-prone work environments and implement infection control procedures and a system of voluntary vaccination against infectious diseases.
General
- All confined spaces are to be identified and recorded in a Register of Confined Spaces.
- All confined spaces are to be appropriately signed where practical (Enter by Permit Only – Confined Space);
- All equipment is to be regularly maintained and appropriately stored (face masks and respirators in plastic bags);
- If the confined space work is part of construction work, a Work Method Statement must be developed and made available before the work commences; and
- Do not use mobile phones or 2-way radios within 10 metres of the confined space where combustible gas has been or may be detected.
Definitions
Confined space – means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that – (a) is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person, (b) is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space and (c) is or is likely to be a risk to the health and safety from – (1) an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or (2) containment, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or (3) harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or (4) engulfment, but does not include a mine shaft or the workings of a mine.
Contaminant – means any substance that may be harmful to health and safety.
Competent person – means a person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task. WHS Reg. 2011 Schedule 19 (g).
Confined Space Entry Permit – means a confined space entry permit issued under section 67 WHS Regulation 2011.
HSR’s – Health and Safety Representatives
SA – Safety Advisor
Supervisor – a person involved in the management or control of a workplace (eg. foreman, supervisor, the person in charge or leading hand).
Documents
- C onfined Space entry permit
- Hot works permit
- SWMS
- Confined Space entry register
- Hazardous substances register
- PPE test and tag register
- Air monitoring equipment calibration records
- SDS