Confined Spaces

Education Consultant

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At the end of this session, the participant will:

Understand the legislation pertaining to confined spaces

Identify the potential hazards

Be aware of employer and employee responsibilities

Be able to apply this information in the workplace

Workshop Objectives

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1. Health & Safety Legislation

2. Hazard Recognition

3. Safe Work Procedures

Course Outline

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Enclosed or partially enclosed

Not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy

Restricted access or egress

Definition: Confined Space

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Definition: Confined Space

May become hazardous because of :

Materials or substances contained

Construction

Location

Atmosphere

Design

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Examples of Confined Spaces

• Tanks • Storage bins

• Boilers • Double hulls

• Vats • Pumping stations

• Kilns • Pits, sumps

• Vaults • Vessels

• Silos • Manholes

• Pipelines • Water reservoirs

• Sewers • Other similar spaces

• Manure pits

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263(1) Where an employee is about to enter a confined space, an employer shall appoint a competent person to verify by tests that:

263(1)(a)the concentration of airborne chemical agents or airborne dust in the confined space is not hazardous…,

263(1)(b)the concentration of an airborne chemical or mixture of chemical agents or airborne dust in the confined space does not exceed 50% of its lower explosive limit,

Confined Space Regulations

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Confined Space Regulations

263(1)(c)the level of physical agents in the confined space is not hazardous…

263(1)(d)the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere in the confined space is not less than 19.5% by volume and not more than 23% in volume

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263(1)(e) the concentration, level or percentage referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) is able to be maintained during the period of proposed occupancy of the confined space by the employee

263(1)(h)all electrical equipment and machines have been locked out, with the machines being put in a zero energy state.

Confined Space Regulations

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Confined Spaces - Hazardous

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Employer’s Responsibilities

Instruct and train workers

Purge when necessary

Provide PPE and emergency equipment

To ensure the worker has read, dated and signed the report

Appoint a competent tester

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Competent Person

According to the 91-191 I(2) regulation, ‘Competent’ means

I. Qualified: ‘knowledge, training, and experience, to do assigned work in a manner that will ensure health and safety’

II. Knowledgeable: about the related act and regulations

III. Knowledgeable: about the related potential for danger

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Competent Person

Do the tests (oxygen, flammability, toxicity, etc.)

Be trained in the procedures

Be in attendance outside

Ensure constant communication

Have a standard-level first aid and CPR

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Competent Person

Ensure continuous monitoring

Set out procedures

Set out the results (tests)

Identify the proper PPE and emergency equipment

Calibrate instruments

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Employee’s Responsibilities

Competent person follows procedures

Install warning signs if there’s a traffic hazard

Follow procedures

Use PPE and emergency equipment

Read and sign the report of the competent tester

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Written Report

1. Sets out the

2. Sets out procedures to be followed

3. Identifies PPE

4. Sets out emergency procedures

Results (tests)

Evaluation (hazards)

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Written Report

5. Identifies equipment and rescuer

6. Kept at the worksite

7. Kept for a period of 2 years

8. Available to an officer

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Three People Are Needed…

1. Entrant: Read, date and sign report

2. Person outside the entrance (standby): Competent

3. Back-up: Near Vicinity

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Safe Work Procedures

Preplan the job

Prepare and check equipment

Ensure traffic control

Test before opening and record

Follow correct opening procedures

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Safe Work Procedures

Record results of re-test

Ventilate and purge if required

Set up an escape and rescue plan

Ensure continuous monitoring if necessary

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Protective Equipment

Employer shall:

Provide PPE in good condition

Inspect regularly

Ensure employee training

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Protective Equipment

Employee shall:

Wear and use

Use properly

Inspect and test

Report problems

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Equipment

In wet conditions, equipment should be:1. Battery operated2. Double insulated3. Bonded or grounded

*Be aware of other hazardous conditionsExample: Chemicals, moving equipment, etc.

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Oxygen

Less than 19.5%:

Use appropriate RPE Reserve 5 minutes

More than 23%:

No flammable, combustible or reactive material

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Unsafe Conditions

Safety Hazards

Atmospheric Hazards

Unsafe Actions

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Hazard Recognition

Solids (entrap)

Liquids (drown)

Atmospheric hazards

Machines or equipment (trap, squeeze or crush)

Bulk materials (shift or collapse)

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Electrical shock

Rescue equipment (non-functional)

Size of entrance (too small)

Rusted ladder

Hazard Recognition

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Hazard Recognition

Traffic Hazards Temperatures Visibility

Slippery Work Surfaces Lack of Education &

Training Lack of enforcement

*NOTE: Never put yourself in a position where you need to be rescued

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Written Program

1. Identify Confined Spaces

2. Recognize Hazards

3. Testing and Controls

4. Emergency Procedures and Rescue

5. Responsible Parties

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Written Program

6. Standby Procedures

7. Training Requirements

8. Permit Requirements

9. Pre-entry Requirements and Checks

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Summary

During this session, we have been made aware of:

i. The legislation pertaining to confined spaces

ii. The potential hazards

iii. Employer and employee responsibilities

iv. How to apply this information in the workplace