UNDERSTANDING CONFINE SPACE

CONFINE SPACE

Any area that is completely or partially enclosed, limited or restricted entry and exit which is not ordinarily designed for human continuous occupancy .e.g. a reservoir, a silo, a vat, a hopper, a chamber, a vault, a ditch, a pipe, a chimney, an access shaft, a truck or freight car tank. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of confined spaces. Some places may become confined spaces when work is carried out, or during their construction, fabrication or subsequent modification.

Non-permit required confined spaces do not contain additional hazards such as the potential of a hazardous atmosphere or the potential for workers to become engulfed or trapped by materials. Non-permit required confined spaces must still be continually accessed by workers, because some are still associated with inherent difficulties stemming from the tight spaces. Examples could be equipment closets, crawl spaces under houses, machinery cabinets, ventilated tunnels, and drop ceilings.

                                             PART I – Is this space a confined space?

1. Does the space have limited or restricted means of entry and exit?

2. Is the space large enough with no obstructions so an employee can perform his/her work?

3. Is the space not designed for continuous occupancy i.e. hazard of biological, chemical, and atmospheric present?

If the answer is no to any of the items in the above Part I, the space is not considered a confined space.

If the answer is yes to all items in Part I, continue to Part II.

PART II – Is it a Permit-Required Confined Space?

A permit–required or permit-to-work ensures a formal check is undertaken to make sure all the elements of a safe system of work are in place before people are allowed to enter or work in the confined space. If a particular space has been determined to be permit required, you should identify it with the proper confined space signs, or some other communication tool to prevent unauthorized entry. You may also use a barricade system to supplement your safety sign.

CONFINED SPACE IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST

Below is an example of a checklist to help identify and classify a space. The checklist should be revised to best fit the type of construction being performed.

1. Does the space contain or potentially contain a hazardous atmosphere?

2. Does the space contain any chemicals or chemical residues?

3. Does the space contain any flammable/combustible substances?

4. Does the space contain or potentially contain any decomposing organic matter?

5. Does the space have any pipes which bring chemicals into it?

6. Does the space have any materials that can trap or potentially trap, engulf, or drown an entrant?

7. Is vision obscured with no illumination or by dust at 5 feet or less?

8. Does the space contain any mechanical equipment servicing the space thereby generating heat with or without CO exhaust?

9. Does the space have converging walls, sloped floors or tapered floor to smaller cross-sections which could trap or asphyxiate an entrant?

10. Does the tank or vessel contain rusted interior surfaces?

11. Does the space contain thermal hazards (e.g. cold, hot)?

12. Does the space contain excessive noise levels which could interfere with communication with an attendant?

13. Does the space present any slip, trip, or fall hazards?

14. Are there any operations conducted near the space opening which could present a hazard to the entrant?

15. Are there any hazards from falling objects?

16. Are there lines under pressure servicing the space?

17. Are cleaning solvents or paints going to be used in the space?

18. Is welding, cutting, brazing, riveting, scraping, or sanding going to be performed in the space?

19. Is electrical equipment located in or required to be used in the space?

20. Does the space have poor natural ventilation which would allow an atmospheric hazard to develop?

21. Are there any corrosives which could irritate the eyes in the space?

22. Are there any conditions which could prevent any entrant’s self-rescue from the space?

23. Are there any substances used in the space which have acute hazards?

24. Is mechanical ventilation needed to maintain a safe environment?

25. Is air monitoring necessary to ensure the space is safe for entry due to a potential hazardous atmosphere?

26. Will entry be made into a diked area where the dike is 5 feet or more in height?

27. Are residues going to be scraped off the interior surfaces of the vessel?

28. Are non-sparking tools required to remove residues?

29. Does the space restrict mobility to the extent that it could trap an entrant?

30. Is respiratory protection required because of a hazardous atmosphere?

31. Does the space present a hazard other than those noted above which would make it a permit space?

If any other questions in PART II have been checked yes, the confined space is a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS). Entry into these spaces must be performed under the protection of your confined space procedure.

I will be detailing you contents of a Permit-to-Work on subsequent post.