Confined SpaceWorking

10th June 2015Presented by:Matt Cox – Branch Chairman

Introduction

• Technological Advances vs Human Regression

• The Evolving Canary

• Recent Example

• 6 P’s

Basic Principles

• Design

• Definitions

• Location and Environment

• Task

• Hazards and Risk

• Control Measures

• Training and Competence

Design

• Regulations??

• Influencing OSH

• Employers Duty of Care – Design Phase

• Examples

Definitions

• Most OSH Professionals can allude to a definition of aConfined Space, similar to that found in

“Confined Space Regulations 1997 (UK)”

• “confined space” means any place, including anychamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue,well or other similar space in which, by virtue of itsenclosed nature, there arises a reasonablyforeseeable specified risk;

• Specified Risk????

• (a) serious injury to any person at work arisingfrom a fire or explosion;

• (b) the loss of consciousness of any person atwork arising from an increase in bodytemperature

• (c) the loss of consciousness or asphyxiation ofany person at work arising from gas, fume,vapour or the lack of oxygen

• (d) the drowning of any person at work arisingfrom an increase in the level of a liquid

• (e) the asphyxiation of any person at workarising from a free flowing solid or the inability toreach a respirable environment due toentrapment by a free flowing solid where “freeflowing solid” means any substance consisting ofsolid particles and which is of, or is capable ofbeing in, a flowing or running consistency, andincludes flour, grain, sugar, sand or other similarmaterial; “

Road BlocksThese very basic discrepancies, throughout the region, canbe traced back to a series of contributing factors such as;

• 1. A lack of clear legislative guidance

• 2. A lack of management or client awareness /

enforcement

• 3. Education levels of the migrant workforce (both

manual labour and supervision)

• 4. Qualification levels of employed HSE professionals

• 5. Budgetary constraints (training /equipment costs etc)

Location and Basic Environment

Safe Systems of Work for Confined Spacescan be significantly impacted by;

• The Location

• The Configuration

• The Construction

Location and Basic Environment

• Is the subject confined space indoors oroutdoors?

• Is it above ground or underground?

• What is it constructed of?

• Is it a standalone space or does it form part ofa larger installation?

• What is the space usually used for?

• How might access to the space be gained?

Task• Is it a one off or repetitive task?

• Is the task to be completed by a single individualor will it be performed by a team?

• How long will the task take to complete?

• When will the task be completed?

• Does the task itself require specialized training(if not in a confined space)?

• Does the task involve ordinarily hazardousprocesses or substances?

Hazards and Risk

• Having broken down the basic elements of boththe individual task and the makeup of theconfined space where the task is to beperformed, we can then start to identify thehazards, both individually and collectively, tobuild up our complete risk assessment.

• In all cases, the definitions given and controlrequirements of applicable regulations for thecountry / area of operations should be adheredto.

Road Blocks

• Competence of H&S practitioners?

• Process not being collaborative

• Dismissing hazards without justification?

• Complacency

ControlsSafe Systems of Work for Confined Space workingmay include some or all of the following;

• Permit to Work Systems including the use ofentry logs*

• Atmospheric testing – both pre-entry andconstant whilst the work is ongoing*

• Defined maximum Confined space working times

• Buddy systems / Restriction of lone working

• Communication systems*

• Provision of forced air ventilation systemsincluding purge ventilation

• Use of Breathing Apparatus*

• Use of man-entry tripods and winches*

• Prohibition of Hot Works activities?*

• Specific Training Programs including 3rd partyconducted courses

• Provision of Intrinsically safe electricalinstallations / equipment

Controls

EMERGENCY

RESPONSE

PLANS ??

Training• Always consider subject Task Training first;

• Confined Space Specific Trainings;

•Entry and rescue courses

•Gas Detection & Authorized Gas Tester training

•The use of SCBA’s or other breathing systems

•Communication systems

•Permit to Work

•Emergency Response System Trainings

Training

• When it comes to training in respect of ConfinedSpace Working, care must be taken to selectappropriate attendees;

• Workers required to complete the task

• Those required to supervise it

• Health and Safety staff

• Emergency Responders

Food for thought…..

• US Dept of Labour stats: (2005-9)

• 481 Confined Space Fatalities (or 1 every 4 days)

• 61 % during construction, repair or cleaning

• 42 % of victims worked in construction industry

• 17% in management roles

• 61% due to physical hazards (falls, collapses etc)

• 33% due to atmospheric hazards (inc Fire)

Conclusions

• Confined Space Working, is as potentiallyhazardous today, as it was during my fathers’working life.

• Health and Safety awareness has evolved, to thepoint where problems faced, are more easilyengineered out now.

• For all the systems and technologies available,the one constant, when analyzing failure points of

SSOW’s…. is man.

Conclusions

• So, in the words of the RSPB…..

Save the Canary!