SAFETY IN CONFINED SPACE

A confined space has the following

characteristics

Large enough that a worker can bodily enter and

perform assigned work

Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit where

unfavorable natural ventilation may exist

Not designed for continuous occupancy of workers

Examples of Confined Space

Sewers

Manholes

Tanks

Vessels

Silos

Bins

Vats

Sludge Digestion
Systems

Tunnels

Ship Compartments

Utility Vaults

Mechanical Rooms

Examples of Confined Space

Examples of Confined Space

Hazards of Confined Space

Oxygen Deficiency
Air is considered oxygen
deficient when the oxygen
content is less than 19.5% by
volume

The oxygen level in a confined

space can decrease as a result
of consumption or displacement
by inert gases such as carbon
dioxide or nitrogen

Hazards of Confined Space

Oxygen Deficiency

Work processes such as welding, cutting or brazing,

and certain chemical reactions such as rusting and
bacterial reaction (fermentation) can also reduce
oxygen concentration.

Hazards of Confined Space

Flammable Atmospheres
An oxygen
enriched
atmosphere
exists where
the oxygen in
the air is
greater than
21%.

Hazards of Confined Space

Flammable Atmospheres
An
oxygen
enriched
atmosphere will
cause flammable
materials such as
clothing and hair
to burn violently
when ignited.

Work
being
conducted in a
confined space
can create a
flammable
atmosphere.

Hazards of Confined Space

Flammable Atmospheres
Atmosphere
is
considered unacceptable
if a flammable gas, vapor
or mist is in excess of
10%
of
Lower
Flammability Limit (LFL).
Combustible
airborne
occur
when
dust
concentration meets or
exceeds its LFL)

Examples are spray

painting, coating or
use of flammable
solvents
for
cleaning.
Welding
or cutting operations
using oxyacetylene
equipment can also
cause explosion in
confined space.

Hazards of Confined Space

Toxic atmospheres

Toxic atmospheres are those which contain

toxic substances in a concentration that
exceeds the Threshold Limit Value (TLV),
as specified in the Occupational Safety and
Health Standards or Material Safety Data
Sheet of the substance.

Hazards of Confined Space

Toxic atmospheres
Toxic substances in atmosphere may come from the following

Products stored in confined

space can be absorbed in walls
and let off toxic vapors when
removed or when cleaning
residual materials.

Hazards of Confined Space

Toxic atmospheres
Toxic substances in atmosphere may come from the following
Work being performed in a
confined space.

Ex.
Welding cutting, brazing,
painting, scraping, sanding,
degreasing, etc.

Hazards of Confined Space

Toxic atmospheres
Toxic substances in atmosphere may come from the following
Areas adjacent to the confined
space. Toxic substances
produced by work in a nearby
area can enter and accumulate in
a confined space
Ex.
Welding cutting, brazing,
painting, scraping, sanding,
degreasing, etc.

Hazards of Confined Space

Mechanical and Physical Hazards

Rotating or moving mechanical
parts or energy sources can
create hazards within a confined
space

Physical factors such as heat,

cold, noise, vibration and fatigue
can contribute to accidents

Hazards of Confined Space

Mechanical and Physical Hazards

Loose materials such

as, fine coal, sawdust
or grains can engulf
and suffocate the
workers

The hazard of Engulfment in Unstable Material

Control of Hazards
Testing and monitoring of atmospheres
It is necessary to test all
areas (top, middle,
bottom) of a confined
space with properly
calibrated testing
instruments to determine
oxygen concentration and
the presence of toxic
gases.
Test all areas of confined space (top,
bottom, middle)

Control of Hazards

Purging
Purging displaces the toxic air in
a confined space through steam,
air, water or inert gas.

Control of Hazards

Isolation
Isolation of a confined space is a
process where the space is
removed from service and
completely protected against the
release of energy into the space.

Control of Hazards

Isolation is accomplished through;

Lock out
All mechanical
equipment in a
confined space must
be disconnected
from the power
source at the paned
board and the
controls locked out
to prevent accidental
start-up.

Lock out
This includes electrical,
mechanical, steam, compressed
gas, hydraulic and gravity
Lock out
There shall only be one (1) key
for the lock in the possession of
the worker. A tag-out should
accompany the lock to identify
operation and prohibition.

Control of Hazards

Example of lock-out/tag-out practice

Control of Hazards

Controls are lock-out to prevent accidental start-up

Control of Hazards

Isolation is accomplished through;

Blanking and bleeding
All lines and systems
which may permit the
entry of hazardous
materials into confined
space must be blanked
off.

Blanking and bleeding

Blanks used to seal off lines shall
be capable of withstanding the
maximum working pressure and
corrosion properties of the
materials.

Control of Hazards

Method of Blanking Hydraulic/Pneumatic Lines

Control of Hazards

Isolation is accomplished through;

Disconnecting
Mechanical isolation of
moving parts can be
accomplished by
disconnecting linkages
or removing drive belts
or chains

Disconnecting
Equipment with moving
mechanical parts can also be
blocked in such a manner that
there is no possibility of
accidental rotation

Control of Hazards

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

A worker entering a confined space must be

equipped with appropriate PPE relative to the
hazard present in the confined space. If there
is a likelihood of accidental exposure to toxic
substances and traumatic injury, whole body
protection must be considered.

Control of Hazards
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Air Purifying Respirators

Control of Hazards
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Air Supplying Respirators

Control of Hazards

Training
Training of workers for entering and
working in confined space is essential to
familiarize them with potential hazards,
the proper use of life saving equipment
and emergency procedures.

Control of Hazards

Stand-by/Rescue
A standby person
should be assigned to
stay outside the
confined space and be
in constant
communication with the
workers insides.

The standby person should not

have any other duties but to
serve as lookout and launch an
alert in case of emergency.

Standby personnel should not

enter a confined space until help
arrives and then only with the
proper protective equipment.

Control of Hazards

Entry with hoist and Standby Personnel

Control of Hazards

Permit System
A Confined Space Entry Permit is a written
authorization to enter and work in confined
spaces; it clearly states all known or potential
hazards, and identifies the safety equipment
required to ensure the safety of the worker.

Control of Hazards

Control of Hazards

Ventilation
Ventilation by a blower
or fan may be
necessary to supply
fresh air to breathe and
to remove harmful
gases and vapors from
a confined space.

A ventilation system may be

either mechanical, natural or
combination of both, depending
upon the size and shape of the
confined space and the work to
be performed.
Standby personnel should not
enter a confined space until help
arrives and then only with the
proper protective equipment.

Control of Hazards

Ventilation
However, precautions should be taken since ventilation
system can cause problems.

They can feed contaminated air

into the confined space,
therefore, make sure that the air
being supplied is clean.

They can block exits.

In an explosive atmosphere,
ventilation can be an ignition
source. If the ventilation
system is exhausting
flammable vapors, it must be
explosion proof.

Control of Hazards

Ventilating with fan and trunk hose