Working in confined space
Hazards
1. Working in Confined Space
a) Explosive, hydrocarbon, toxic,
oxygen-deficient or enriched
atmosphere in confined space.
b) Limited access into and egress
from a confined space.
c) Improper isolation of energy or
chemical sources (such as steam or blinding of all process lines connected to the confined space. [ ]
electric heating coils) into a confined P
space.
d) A confined space within a
confined space.
Controls
a) Determine that there are no reasonable alternatives to
entering the confined space to accomplish the objective. [ ] P
b) Persons involved in the planning and execution of a confined
space entry have the knowledge and skills to safely perform the
entry. i) Hole watch [ ] ii) Supervisors (Entry/Activity) [ ] iii)
Attendants [ ] iv) Emergency response personnel [ ] v)
Atmospheric testing personnel (AGT) [ ] P
c) Confined Space shall be depressurized, drained, purged and
ventilated of all harmful substances/fluids. [ ] P
d) Conduct initial atmospheric testing and continuous monitoring
as required using certified equipment. [ ] P
a) Provide multiple access and egress points if practical. [ ] P
b) The designated manhole(s) for access and egress shall be
kept free from obstructions that could hinder safe entry or
egress. [ ] P
c) As far as practical, use other openings (e.g., nozzles or
another manhole) for routing cables and hoses to eliminate
tripping hazards/obstructions. [ ] P
d) Prior to entry into the confined space, entrants shall
participate in a toolbox review of hazards present. [ ] P
e) All CS work requires a rescue plan. The rescue plan ensures
that a retrieval mechanism exists in case of an emergency.
Rescue Plan must be communicated and understood in advance
by all involved, during the toolbox talk. [ ] P
f) Communication with nearby jobs and operations that could
potentially cause hazards to personnel working in the confined
space must be maintained (to be able to respond for instance, a
toxic gas release near a vessel that is under confined space; or
tank work affected by a release from a nearby tank). [ ] P
a) Confined Space shall be positively isolated from all potentially
hazardous materials either by blinding or by disconnection and
b) When preparing vessels for entry by personnel, the vessel
must be isolated from other equipment by fully rated blinds of all
interconnecting piping at the flanges closest to the vessel. [ ] P
a) Where confined spaces exist within a confined space (e.g.
cyclone in a regenerator), the following should be considered i)
Each confined space must be gas tested individually. Confined
spaces within a vessel (e.g. a cyclone in a vessel) must be
tested independently from the vessel in which it is contained. [ ]
ii) Where a single standby person is assigned to multiple
confined spaces, the standby must be able to perform
designated responsibilities for each permit space. Consider
additional standby personnel if required. [ ] P
Hazards
e) Corroded internal structures,
moving parts, obstructions and
voids within a confined space.
f) Use of power tools and electrical
equipment inside a confined space.
g) Existence of NORM (Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Material)
within process vessels.
h) Flammable or toxic materials
(residual hydrocarbons, benzene,
hydrogen sulphide, pyrophoric scale b) Welding/arc gouging in confined spaces generates gases
and CO2) or introduced, when
conducting the work, e.g. welding, evaluated during the permitting process. [ ] P
pressurized canisters, leaking
oxygen or acetylene hoses or
fittings and sprays.
i) Falls, trips, slips, lighting
standards and dropped objects
j) Heat or Cold stress and
exhaustion
Controls
a) Ensure internal structures are not severely corroded and
verify integrity if required. [ ] P
b) Perform inspection and identify any possible moving internals
or working equipment that could move or cause injury. [ ] P
c) Internal structures, trays, and other components should be
visually inspected to confirm that they are in a safe condition for
personnel to access. [ ] P
d) Perform isolation of moving parts within the confined space.
All moving parts should be placed in a safe isolated position by
the properly designed and fitted mechanical stops. [ ] P
a) All potentially hazardous energy sources and electrical
equipment shall be de-energized, locked out, and tagged as per
QG Isolation, Lockout and Tag Out procedure. [ ] P
b) Use of pneumatic tools and equipment is recommended over
use of electrical tools in a Confined Space. If electrical
equipment is utilized it should be inspected and certified per QG
policies and procedures. [ ] P
a) Confined space atmospheric testing should include
consideration for NORM. Follow QG policies and procedures if
detected. [ ] P
a) Care should be taken to ensure that contaminants are not
drawn in from external sources, such as internal combustion
engines, drains, process vents, or hot work activities located
close to open manways. [ ] P
and/or fumes that require special precautions. Hazards must be
c) Fume extraction facilities may be required for protection
against any welding fumes and cutting gases generated by the
equipment used within the CS. [ ] P
d) Oxygen and acetylene bottles should be outside of the CS.
Gas hoses left inside confined space during breaks/lunch/work
stoppage should be disconnected at the regulators. [ ] P
a) Confined place entry and working area shall maintain
adequate housekeeping to eliminate unnecessary items and
prevent slips, trips and falls. [ ] P
b) Work area inside of confined space including tools and
working materials must be secured properly to avoid becoming a
dropped object. [ ] P
c) Proper Illumination standard for CS should be applied as
practical. [ ] P
a) Each confined space entry shall have a documented heat/cold
stress management control plan. Persons working in hot/cold
environments must be informed of the hazards and made aware
of the symptoms of heat/cold stress. [ ] P
b) Cooling down the CS to ambient temperature before entry is
recommended. CS must not exceed the work/rest guidelines and
safe temperature margins of existing QG policies. [ ] P
Hazards
k) Difficulty in communicating or
seeing alarms while in a confined
space.
Controls
a) Hole watch must maintain constant communication with
occupants, including visual and verbal contact. Hole watch and
entrant shall have common language skills. [ ] P
b) It is necessary to monitor occupant status and to alert
occupants of the need to stop work, evacuate the space or any
other changes in the working conditions. [ ] P
c) Each Confined space must have means of communication
(e.g. radio, siren, intrinsically safe mobile phone) or manual
methods to raise alarm and communicate in case of emergency.
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