GE Global Services / Turbomachinery Operations - Field Activities EHS-WI.
001
Oil & Gas Confined Space Entry
Organization Global Services / Turbomachinery Operations
Function Environment, Health, and Safety
Title Confined Space Entry
The present document provides the standards and rules to enter in Confined
Scope Spaces. Present procedure applies to all GS/TM sites, employees, temporary
and contract employees, and contractors performing work on GS/TM sites.
Code EHS-WI.001
Previous ref EHS-P06.000
05/05/11 0 First issue M.Garello R.Pagano F.Raveggi
Date Rev. Descr. Designed Controlled Approved
Rev. 0, May 5th, 2011 Controlled copy only on EHS/SER website Page 1 of 9
GE Property - Confidential
GE Global Services / Turbomachinery Operations - Field Activities EHS-WI.001
Oil & Gas Confined Space Entry
Index
1. Scope and Application ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2. Definitions ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
3. Responsibilities ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Regional/Site/Project Manager........................................................................................................................................................ 4
3.2 EHS Specialist ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
3.3 Entry Supervisor ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Attendant..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.5 Authorized Entrants ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
4. Operating Procedures ......................................................................................................................................... 5
4.1 Identification and Testing ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Ventilation ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Supplied Breathing Air .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.4 Confined Space Entry Permit ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
4.5 Confined Space Entry Procedures.................................................................................................................................................. 7
4.6 Rescue and Emergency Services .................................................................................................................................................... 8
5. Training ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8
6. Procedure assessment ....................................................................................................................................... 9
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Oil & Gas Confined Space Entry
1. Scope and Application
This work instruction establishes requirements for safe entry into confined spaces. This work instruction
applies to all GS/TM sites, employees, temporary and contract employees, and contractors performing work on
GS/TM sites.
With activities developed at Customer site, and if GS/TM team is called to follow Customer’s procedures, such
instructions shall be put in comparison with GE Oil & Gas GS/TM ones in order to define the more stringent and
implement at site their use (procedures, work instructions, forms, templates, etc.). The verification and
comparison shall be made:
• by EHS/SER team during ITO review, or if these procedures are not present at ITO review stage,
• by the GE Site Manager at activities start up;
if verification identifies gaps and/or deficiencies, GE Site Manager shall inform EHS/SER and EHS representative
as well.
2. Definitions
Attendant - An individual stationed outside one or more confined spaces who monitors the Authorized
Entrants and who performs all Attendant’s duties assigned in the section 3.4 of present procedure.
Confined space - A space that meets the following characteristics:
• It is large enough that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work;
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit;
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
• Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
• Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by, or
• Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards.
NOTE: These spaces include, but are not limited to, vaults, tanks, storage bins, pits, vats, manholes,
tunnels, trenches, riser pipes and ducts.
Confined Space Entry Permit - A specific Permit To Work that is used to document the condition of the
confined space and the personnel entering the confined space that must be completed and posted at
the entrance to a confined space prior to entry into that space.
EHS/SER – EHS team supporting GS/TM.
Entry Supervisor - The GS/TM employee responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present
in a confined space before entry is allowed, for authorizing entry, for overseeing entry operations, for
completing the confined space entry permit, and for collecting completed confined space entry
permits when the entrants have left the confined space and all work covered by the permit is
completed (in case of Customer’s procedure in use, pls see §1).
Explosive range – Is the concentration of a flammable substance in air that will support combustion. The
range, which is specific to each combustible or flammable gas, is between the Lower Explosive Limit
(LEL) and Upper Explosive Limit (UEL).
Hazardous atmosphere - An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation,
impairment of ability to self-rescue, or injury from one or more of the following causes:
• Flammable gases, vapors or mists in excess of 10% of its LEL;
• Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LEL
• Toxic substances, including previous contents of the space, welding gases and fumes, chemicals
used by the entrants, and accidental leads into the confined space (failure of isolation);
• Oxygen-deficient (less than 19.5 %) or oxygen-enriched (more than 23.5%) atmospheres;
• Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).
GE Site Manager – the person who’s managing or coordinating the activities at site, being him formally
appointed as Site Manager, or being the more experienced FSE, or having informal duties as activities
coordinator at site.
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GS/TM – Global Services Operations / Turbomachinery Operations divisions of GE Oil& Gas.
Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) - an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would
cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a
dangerous atmosphere.
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - The OSHA maximum 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of an airborne
contaminant to which an employee may be exposed.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 Regional/Site/Project Manager
Regional manager, site manager and project manager are all responsible for the following tasks:
a) Ensure an evaluation is performed in the workplace to determine enclosed spaces that are permit-
required and non-permit-required.
b) Arrange for appropriate signs to be posted that indicate confined spaces.
c) Ensure that all affected site personnel are trained in confined space entry procedures, the reason for
the precautions, and permit requirements.
d) Ensure that designated persons are specified as “authorized entrants”, “attendants”, “entry
supervisors”, and those that shall be responsible for atmosphere testing and monitoring.
3.2 EHS Specialist
a) If present at site, he assists with the workplace evaluation to determine enclosed spaces risks and
prevention and mitigations,
3.3 Entry Supervisor
a) Authorize entry into confined spaces by completing the Confined Space Permit (EHS-WI.001.Frm01).
b) Identify the hazards of each confined space.
c) Verify that all tests have been conducted, all procedures and equipment are in place, and that the
Rescue Team has been informed of the entry and can be summoned before issuing a permit.
d) Verify isolation of the confined space and readiness of the work area and equipment to be used during
the entry.
e) Terminate entry as necessary, cancel permits, and collect completed permits.
f) Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the confined space.
g) Ensure that all the parties involved in confined space entry are fully aware of and trained in their
duties, responsibilities, and the hazards associated with the operation prior to any permit-required
confined space entry.
h) Enforce GS/TM confined space procedure and ensure that Contractor entry into confined spaces is
allowed only through compliance with the facility’s confined space entry permit process.
i) Periodically check on Contractors during any permit-required confined space work.
Note: in case Customer’s procedure is in use, (pls see §1) the Customer Entry Supervisor shall be in charge to
assure all above cited points, while the GE Entry Supervisor shall verify points a), c), d), e), f), g), h.) for all
interested persons working under GE site management.
3.4 Attendant
a) Know the hazards of confined spaces and recognize the behavioral effects of potential exposures.
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b) Communicate with the Entry Supervisor before entry into the confined space to confirm that correct
procedures have been implemented, and the hazards have been eliminated or properly mitigated
appropriate personal protective equipment is in use.
c) Maintain continuous count and identification of Authorized Entrants.
d) Ensure that only authorized personnel enter the space.
e) Evacuate the workers from the space if any of these situations exist:
• a condition not allowed by the entry permit.
• signs of hazardous exposure in any Entrant.
• something outside the permit space that could cause danger inside.
f) Never leave the observation post for any reason.
g) If an emergency arises and the Entrants cannot exit the space without assistance, summon the
Rescue Team at once.
h) Do not enter or allow other non-trained personnel to enter the permit space to attempt or assist in a
rescue.
3.5 Authorized Entrants
a) Know the hazards you may face, be able to recognize symptoms of exposure, and understand the
consequences of exposure to hazards.
b) Wear all required personal protective equipment.
c) Know how to use the needed equipment, communicate with the Attendant as necessary, and alert the
Attendant to any hazardous condition.
d) Know how to exit as quickly as possible whenever ordered or alerted (by alarm, warning sign or
prohibited condition), performing entry/exit try-out(s) before starting the planned activity.
e) Be ready to evacuate quickly, without help.
f) Leave the space if you see that you are in danger.
4. Operating Procedures
4.1 Identification and Testing
All confined spaces should be considered permit-required confined spaces.
a) The atmosphere within the space must be tested to determine whether dangerous air contamination
and/or oxygen deficiency are present. Entry into the space is considered to have occurred if the plane
of the entry door or portal is penetrated, even if only by the hand of the person holding the instrument.
If entry is required to perform testing, a retrieval harness and lanyard, full protective equipment (to
include self-contained breathing apparatus or air-line respirators with escape units), must be worn
and an Attendant must be present.
b) Test equipment must be calibrated in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements.
c) All persons involved in the Confined Space Entry shall be given the opportunity to participate in a
review of all monitoring data.
d) Multiple points of testing shall be taken along the path of entry and in the space.
e) Any person involved in the Confined Space Entry may request that additional monitoring be performed
at any time.
f) Additional monitoring shall be performed if there is reason to believe changes have occurred in the
Confined Space.
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g) When testing for atmospheric hazards, test first for oxygen, then for combustible gases and vapors,
then for toxic gases and vapor (i.e. H2S, CO, etc.).
NOTE: When oxygen levels are below 19.5% (normal range in the air), the test for combustible gases is
invalid.
h) If a toxic material is known or expected to be present above the permissible exposure limit (PEL), entry
is not permitted.
i) Entry to a confined space is allowed under the following conditions:
• Oxygen content is between 19.5% and 23.5%,
• Concentration of flammable gases is less than 10% of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), and
• The level of any toxic substance is less than its PEL.
4.2 Ventilation
a) Set mechanical ventilation systems at uncontaminated outside air. Open additional openings or
entries to increase air circulation.
b) Direct portable, forced air blowers, to ventilate the areas to be entered. Continue the ventilation until
acceptable levels are obtained. If the space is difficult to ventilate, extend the blower to the bottom of
the opening. If the blower cannot be extended, alternate blowing air in and pulling air out in 15 to 30
minute cycles.
c) Once acceptable levels have been achieved, continue blowing air into the space, until all the
employees have left the space.
d) Air monitoring shall be performed on a continuous basis when ventilation is used to remove
contaminated air.
e) Never allow entry into a confined space with more than 10% of the LEL.
4.3 Supplied Breathing Air
a) Where it is possible (as per space and duration of entry), SCBA is preferable to breathing air supply.
b) In a confined space with a toxic (not explosive) atmosphere that must be entered using supplied
breathing air respiratory protection, install an audible device on the breathing air supply system to
signal when there is a compressor or manifolded bottled breathing air system failure.
c) The air supply for supplied air respiratory protection must be from a clean, breathing air source, either
a breathing air compressor (with high temperature cut-off or carbon monoxide monitor) or manifolded
breathing air cylinders. Do not use an oxygen-enriched air supply.
d) Those using supplied breathing air must be trained in its use and physically fit to wear the apparatus
and perform the proposed work as per Personal Protection Equipment procedure.
e) Entry may not begin until testing has demonstrated that the atmosphere is not explosive, is not
oxygen-enriched (a fire hazard), is not oxygen-deficient (asphyxiation hazard), and that the mechanical
ventilation will be effective in maintaining the acceptable atmosphere.
4.4 Confined Space Entry Permit
a) Prior to confined space entry, a Confined Space Entry Permit must be completed (EHS-WI.001.Frm01)
along with a Confined Space Pre-Entry Checklist (EHS- WI.001.Frm02) or relevant customer PTW form
and procedure as defined at §1.
b) The Entry Supervisor completes the permit for entry into confined spaces by on-site employees.
c) The Contractor Supervisor completes the Confined Space Entry Permit for any entry involving a
Contractor and is responsible for obtaining the Entry Supervisor’s approval before the permit is
approved.
d) The Confined Space Entry Permit must be posted at each entry to the confined space.
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e) The Confined Space Entry Permit must be re-issued every shift.
f) The Confined Space Entry Permit must be closed once the entry operations are complete.
g) Other permits such as “Hot Work” permits shall be obtained separately and appended to the Confined
Space Entry Permit.
4.5 Confined Space Entry Procedures
a) Pre-entry requirements:
• Do not enter a confined space without a fully equipped Attendant immediately outside the space
entrance to maintain visual, verbal, and/or other agreed upon and acceptable form of
communications with the Entrants inside the space and to summon assistance in the event of an
emergency.
• Clean and purge the space of hazardous substances; pump out any liquid and/or relieve pressure
or vacuum conditions.
• Place barriers and/or warning systems around confined space to protect entrants from external
hazards such as pedestrian traffic, vehicles, or other objects that pose a risk.
• Isolate the space through a physical disconnect or blanking of all piping or feed lines. Systems that
could carry hazardous substances into the space must be isolated and locked out in accordance
with Lock-out/Tag-out work instruction.
• If the confined space contains a flammable atmosphere, purge with an inert gas before ventilating
with air.
• Perform initial cleaning from outside the confined space.
• Use explosion-proof electrical equipment.
• Use the Pre-Entry Checklist for entry preparation and prior to entry.
• At least one Attendant must be present at all times at each Confined Space entry.
• If multiple employers are working in the same confined space, the owner of the confined space
shall provide the entry supervisor who shall be responsible for the coordination and approval of all
confined space operations.
b) Extraordinary situations
• Any person entering a confined space under any of the following conditions must, in addition to
having an Attendant, wear a supplied air breathing apparatus and a body harness with attached
lifeline.
• Testing demonstrates the existence of toxic, flammable, oxygen-enriched or oxygen-deficient
atmosphere and additional ventilation cannot reduce concentrations to safe levels.
• The atmosphere is tested and results safe but unsafe conditions can reasonably be expected to
develop.
• It is not feasible to provide for ready exit from spaces equipped with automatic fire suppression
systems and it is not practical or safe to deactivate such systems.
• A life-threatening emergency exists and it is not feasible to wait for pre-entry procedures to take
effect.
c) Entry Requirements
• Station the Attendant by the outside of the space ready to give assistance (without entering the
confined space) in case of emergency. The Attendant must have an air supplied breathing
apparatus available for immediate use. At least one additional worker must be within sight or call
of the Attendant. Maintain continuous communications between the worker within the confined
space and the Attendant.
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• If there is a questionable action or non-movement by the worker(s), make a verbal check. If there
is no response, remove the worker immediately. If the worker is disabled due to falling or impact,
the worker should not be removed from the confined space unless there is immediate, life-
threatening danger. Notify the Rescue Team immediately.
• Vessels should be entered with a body harness through side openings near the bottom of the
vessel. When entry must be made through a top opening, a body harness that suspends a person
upright and a hoisting device should be available for lifting workers out of the space.
• Do not use any of the following equipment in a confined space:
• Internal combustion engines.
• Compressed gas cylinders.
• Non-vented fuel-burning heaters.
• Perform continuous gas monitoring during all confined space operations. If the gas monitoring
equipment alarms, exit the confined space. The confined space entry permit is terminated
automatically. Obtain a new confined space permit before re-entry.
• When the job is complete, the Entry Supervisor must remove and sign the Confined Space Entry
Permit. Permits should be filed for one year for review and evaluation.
4.6 Rescue and Emergency Services
a) At no time shall the attendant attempt a confined space rescue by entering the confined space.
b) Evaluation of and arrangements for rescue and emergency services shall be made prior to any
confined space entry.
c) Local emergency agencies (i.e. fire dept.), trained in confined space rescue, shall be utilized when
available.
d) Employees shall only be trained and utilized for confined space rescue when no other options are
available.
e) Companies that specialize in confined space rescue may be utilized. When used, they shall be
contacted in advance so they may evaluate the confined space and make any necessary
arrangements prior to the entry.
f) The owner/operator of the property shall be consulted regarding site-specific rescue and emergency
response procedures. If there are conflicts in procedures the more stringent procedure shall be
utilized.
g) The emergency telephone number to summon rescue services must be clearly identified on the permit
or close to the confined space
h) Hospital or treatment facilities must be provided with MSDSs or other information that may aid in the
treatment of rescued employees.
5. Training
5.1 All persons involved in Confined Space Entry shall be trained as per procedure EHS-PG.002 to the level of
their responsibilities.
5.2 Affected employees will be trained prior to initial assignment, prior to a change in assigned duties, if a new
hazard has been created, or if special deviations have occurred.
5.3 Secure the equipment necessary to provide appropriate hands-on training.
5.4 Fundamental minimum training for Entrants, Attendants and Entry Supervisors includes the following:
a) Proper use of communication equipment or other forms of communications for entrants.
b) Procedures for summoning emergency and rescue services.
c) Use of retrieval systems and harnesses.
d) Use of personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection equipment.
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5.5 Train all Entrants, Attendants and Entry Supervisors with refresher training annually.
5.6 Training documentation information will be tracked via the Gensuite Training Tracker module.
6. Procedure assessment
6.1 Retain completed permits for one year unless an incident occurs during the permitted entry.
6.2 Perform an annual review and evaluation of completed permits. Formulate and implement any corrective
actions that are indicated.
6.3 Entry operations shall be reviewed when there is reason to believe that the measures taken under the
Confined Space Permit program may not protect employees. The program shall be revised to correct
deficiencies found to exist before subsequent entries are authorized.
6.4 GS/TM EHS Team shall do an annual review of this work instruction.
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