Working Inside Confined Space Precautions
Technical Advisory on
Working Safely in Confined Spaces
Contents
Year of Issue : 2010
1.
Preface
04
2.
Scope
05
3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
Definitions
Confined Space
Characteristics of Confined Space
Responsible Person
Authorised Manager
Competent Person
Confined Space Safety Assessor
Confined Space Attendant
Entrant
Confined Space Entry Permit
Entry
Hazardous Atmosphere
06
06
06
06
06
07
07
07
07
07
07
07
4.
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2
4.3
Introduction
Background
Why Working in Confined Spaces is Hazardous
Why Entry into a Confined Space is Needed
Requirements for Working Safely in Confined Spaces
Types of Injury
08
08
08
08
08
09
5.
5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.2
5.3
5.4
Risk Management Approach to Confined Spaces
Key Elements of Risk Assessment for Confined Spaces
Assess Need for Entry into a Confined Space
Identification and Evaluation of Confined Spaces
Control of Confined Space Hazards
Communication
Periodic Risk Assessment
Documentation
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
12
6.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
Types Of Hazards in Confined Spaces
Suffocation Hazards — By Oxygen Deficiency
Fire/Explosion Hazards — By Flammable Gases and Vapours
Poisoning — By Toxic Gases, Vapours or Fumes
Other Confined Space Hazards
13
13
14
15
16
7.
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
Working Safely in Confined Spaces
Confined Space Entry Permit
Information Required on the Entry Permit
Risk Assessment
Issuance of Entry Permit
19
19
19
20
20
1
2
7.4.1
7.4.2
7.4.3
7.4.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.10.1
7.10.2
7.11
7.11.1
7.11.2
7.11.3
7.11.4
7.11.5
7.11.6
7.11.7
7.11.8
7.11.9
7.11.10
7.11.11
7.11.12
7.11.13
7.11.14
7.11.15
7.12
7.12.1
7.12.2
STAGE 1 — Application of Entry Permit by Supervisor
STAGE 2 — Evaluation by Confined Space Safety Assessor
STAGE 3 — Issuance by Authorised Manager
STAGE 4 — Posting of Entry Permit
Display of Entry Permit
Review and Endorsement of Entry
Working Safely in Confined Spaces
Contents
Year of Issue : 2010
1.
Preface
04
2.
Scope
05
3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
Definitions
Confined Space
Characteristics of Confined Space
Responsible Person
Authorised Manager
Competent Person
Confined Space Safety Assessor
Confined Space Attendant
Entrant
Confined Space Entry Permit
Entry
Hazardous Atmosphere
06
06
06
06
06
07
07
07
07
07
07
07
4.
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2
4.3
Introduction
Background
Why Working in Confined Spaces is Hazardous
Why Entry into a Confined Space is Needed
Requirements for Working Safely in Confined Spaces
Types of Injury
08
08
08
08
08
09
5.
5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.2
5.3
5.4
Risk Management Approach to Confined Spaces
Key Elements of Risk Assessment for Confined Spaces
Assess Need for Entry into a Confined Space
Identification and Evaluation of Confined Spaces
Control of Confined Space Hazards
Communication
Periodic Risk Assessment
Documentation
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
12
6.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
Types Of Hazards in Confined Spaces
Suffocation Hazards — By Oxygen Deficiency
Fire/Explosion Hazards — By Flammable Gases and Vapours
Poisoning — By Toxic Gases, Vapours or Fumes
Other Confined Space Hazards
13
13
14
15
16
7.
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
Working Safely in Confined Spaces
Confined Space Entry Permit
Information Required on the Entry Permit
Risk Assessment
Issuance of Entry Permit
19
19
19
20
20
1
2
7.4.1
7.4.2
7.4.3
7.4.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.10.1
7.10.2
7.11
7.11.1
7.11.2
7.11.3
7.11.4
7.11.5
7.11.6
7.11.7
7.11.8
7.11.9
7.11.10
7.11.11
7.11.12
7.11.13
7.11.14
7.11.15
7.12
7.12.1
7.12.2
STAGE 1 — Application of Entry Permit by Supervisor
STAGE 2 — Evaluation by Confined Space Safety Assessor
STAGE 3 — Issuance by Authorised Manager
STAGE 4 — Posting of Entry Permit
Display of Entry Permit
Review and Endorsement of Entry
References: 14. List Of Figures Figure 1: Number of workplace fatalities by type of incident, 2007 and 2008 (National Statistics, Workplace Safety & Health 2008). 09