HSE guidelines

THE NATIONAL OIL&GAS INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONALS

SWORKING IN

CONFINED SPACES

HSE LIFE

January 2016

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

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Work safely or don’t work at all

Get to know the situation on the installation where you will work on as soon as possible; who/what is where? Read the Permit to Work carefully and check if the described control measures have been taken. Then take the precautionary measures which belong to your job.

Always be alert to prevent highly concentrated noxioussubstances from being released. When in doubt: alwaysask or stop working!

Speaking the same clear language regarding Health, Safety and Environment, and harmonisation of regulations by focusing primarily on agreements between companies and contractors.

That is the goal the member parties of HSElife UNIO pursue.

As well as the information that has already been harmonised, location and company-specific information also applies. Ask for it!

Note: Check please at hselifeunio.com/hse-items if you are using the latest version!

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

Before certain jobs on an installation can begin, the installation (or relevant parts of the installation) must first be safeguarded. This means that it must be cleared of any liquid, gas, pressure and power. In addition to measuring oxygen levels, toxicity, and Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) as as baseline measurements, confined spaces are particularly susceptible to extraordinary circumstances that may be or become hazardous or life-threatening. For this reason, everyone must be extra alert to the risks associated with these work places.

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WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

CHARACTERISTICS

• difficult access• limited escape routes• relatively small space• significant risk of hazardous vapours • poor ventilation• poor manoeuvrability• hard for emergency workers to access

EXAMPLES

• tanks• boilers• columns• flue pipes• stoves• sewer drains• underground spaces• trenches, wells, bins, cellars, crawl spaces• temporary tent constructions (e.g. welding tents)• barrels

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WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

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HAZARDS

• fire and explosion (exceeding explosion limit)• suffocation (insufficient ventilation, fresh air) • LEL, O2, Tox• potential lack of oxygen or ventilation• intoxication (excessive concentration of hazardous products)• poisoning (excessive concentration of hazardous products)• electrocution (damp area, electrically conductive)• entrapment (narrow spaces)• injuries (moving machine parts, agitators)• slipping, falling, stumbling (damp, moss formation, obstacles)• hearing damage (noise, ‘resonance body effect’)

The site manager and/or supervisor will consult the work permit applicant to determine whether a room can be considered a confined space. They will also determine the control measures to be taken based on a TRA. The TRA will then be added to the Permit to Work.

If you question an area’s classification as a non-confined space, be convinced by the validator/issuer of the Permit to Work.

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

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PREPARATORY WORK

Confined space:• safeguard according to the safety plan• prepare the area according to the work safety plan• mark as ‘do not enter’• mark/cordon off the immediate vicinity• remove any obstacles in the surrounding area (emergency workers)

BEFORE STARTING WORK ACTIVITIES

Make sure the area is well-ventilated. Measure:1. oxygen levels – min. 20% vol. max. 21% vol. 2. explosive mixture – 0.0 % LEL (Lower Explosion Limit)3. toxic vapours – < 50% of the threshold value (WIC-card)4. H2S – 1.6 ppm (evacuation value)5. temperature – max. 40 °C6. LSA – absence (if applicable) must be confirmed by an LSA expert

Don’t start working if one or more of these six values is exceeded! The results of these calculations determine which measures should be taken.

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

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BEFORE YOU GET TO WORK

• organise a start-up/work meeting with all involved parties• read and check the Permit to Work (front and back, if applicable)• make sure you have the right PPE’s• make sure you have the right tools• inspect your workplace• familiarise yourself with escape route(s) and musterpoint(s)• check whether the issuer has safeguarded the area correctly• da safety plan or safety team is required before entering a confined space or carrying out high-risk activities (due to long response time by the fire brigade for onshore locations) • carry out an LMRA (Last Minute Risk Analysis)

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

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DURING WORK

Regularly check the six variables.

Immediately stop all work activities if one or more of these six values is exceeded! Immediately vacate the area and notify the site manager and/or supervisor!

Additional control measures:1. Manhole observer (communication check with people in confined space and site manager/supervisor)2. Rescue team available (at least two people; independent respiratory protection equipment)

Note: The site manager and/or supervisor should provide instructions about points 1 and 2 above.

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

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Please note!• Air-powered tools are preferred• Devices that run on 220V are prohibited in confined spaces; only devices that run on 50V alternating current are permitted in a confined space• fire extinguishers must be kept within easy reach during all welding and other hot work activities• welding equipment must be properly grounded• check burners, hoses, and hose connections for leaks before entering a confined space • do not use coupled hoses in a confined space• remove or depressurise hoses during breaks• do not store gas and oxygen tanks in the confined space• stop working if anything is unclear, if there’s danger or if there are deviations from the Permit to Work • never improvise• immediately report defects or damage to the installation or installation parts• ensure that all equipment (e.g. agitators) is switched off and safeguarded according to LockOut-TagOut (LOTO)• ensure that all pipes to and from the space are disconnected and safeguarded according to LOTO/double block & bleed

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

Note: Separate brochures are available on the following topics:• safeguarding of the installation• electrical safety• working at height (in confined spaces)

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

SHELL/NAM

TAQA Energy

Centrica Energy Upstream

Oranje-Nassau Energie

CASOS

Petrogas E&P

Engie

Vermilion Energy

Dana Petroleum

TOTAL

QUESTIONS? MORE INFORMATION?

You can always approach the site manager/supervisor

The member parties of HSElife UNIO are:

HSE LIFE

LMRA Last Minute Risk Analysis

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: Do I know what I need to do? Is the workplace safe? Are all safety procedures explained to me? Am I familiar with the hazards of my work / assignment? Do I have proper safety equipment (PPE)? Do I have the right tools? Are my tools certified? Have I done everything possible to minimise the risk? If anything goes wrong, do I know what I’m supposed to do?

All YES: start or restart your work.If NO or in doubt: go to your supervisor and discuss the situation.